The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) is the U.S. Government's crosscutting program that coordinates Federal research and development (R&D) activities in nanoscale science, engineering, technology, and related efforts among various participating agencies. The Federal Government launched the NNI in FY 2001 with an initial $500 million…

The Netherlands' experience with the Conditional Finance System, introduced in the universities in 1982 make explicit the distribution of research effort and allocate research resources on bases other than enrollments, is discussed. (MSE)

Converting research facility costs from indirect to direct costs is used as an illustrative example of the problems of making changes in research program costing policy. (MSE)

The types of managerial problems occurring in large research laboratories are classified, the politics of their management are analyzed, and the forms in which the problems are manifested are discussed. It is concluded that strategic practices are needed for the organizations to function effectively. (Author/MSE)

Current issues in selecting, structuring, and implementing microcomputer database management systems in research administration offices are discussed, and their capabilities are illustrated with the system used by the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Trends in microcomputer technology and their likely impact on research administration…

A discussion of industry-university research arrangements highlights the factors facilitating the formation of those arrangements and identifies action-oriented approaches that recognize and circumvent potential barriers, based on a review of recent literature and a 1982 survey of 122 industry and university research representatives. (Author/MSE)

Lessons learned by the University of Arizona through participation in two major scientific projects, construction of an astronomical observatory and a super cyclotron, are discussed. Four criteria for institutional participation in such projects are outlined, including consistency with institutional mission, adequate resources, leadership, and…

The self-imposed external evaluation of a university grants office is reported, including discussions of the office's and administrator's roles, comparison with similar-sized institutions and programs, the review process, and its results. (MSE)

The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Association of American Universities are conducting an experiment in research grant administration designed to respond to the perceived needs of universities for more flexibility while assuring appropriate accountability for Federal research funds. The experiment delegates most grant administration…

The transformation of the present manual system of data manipulation at the Universidad de Santiago de Chile into a computer-based information system capable of supporting decision making is proposed. The information system would be used to determine the number of faculty required by each academic department, based on the number of weekly hours…