The National Institute of Health (NIH) is currently seeking a reduction in indirect costs associated with the awarding of research funds. Various issues related to these costs, which are causing tension between university administrators and academic researchers, are discussed. (JN)

Describes the history of peer review at the National Institute of Education (NIE) and discusses some broad principles of federal research management and peer review. Notes recent recommendations for improvement in peer review procedures and sketches procedures that will guide NIE in an upcoming lab and center competition. (Author/KH)

Describes administrative changes at the National Institute of Education (NIE) over the last four years and relates these to NIE's recent revision of its peer review system. Briefly describes changes in peer review and asserts that the new system provides researchers great opportunity for participation in maintaining quality research. (KH)

Summarizes and reviews the peer review system of evaluating research proposals by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institute of Health. Includes National Academy of Sciences study of NSF peer review, appeals mechanism, and alternatives to peer review, such as Black grants and research productivity criteria. (SK)

Outlines application requirements for the National Association for the Education of Young Children's (NAEYC) new compensation fund for their Membership Action Group Grant program. Summarizes Membership Action Group projects that have been funded for 1990. (BB)

Described is The Catalyst Conference convened by the Research Advisory Committee of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) to stimulate research on the effects of the NCTM "Standards for Curriculum and Evaluation" as a guide for change in mathematics education. Six focus areas were identified. (MDH)

The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded several grants to study effects of and possible solutions to the problem of "acid rain"; pollution from atmospheric nitric and sulfuric acids. The research program is administered through North Carolina State University at Raleigh and will focus on biological effects of acid rain. (JMF)

Outlines design requirements for situation description, policy specifications, and decision consequences feedback systems of type that could be used to help manage Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) portfolios for large organizations. Several systems are described, and three additional systems design characteristics are…

Summarizes a National Research Council report indicating that the Department of Energy (DOE) underfunds basic, exploratory scientific research. Presents a matrix to provide DOE with perspectives for assessing the potential impact of chemistry-focused, basic, long-range, and pioneering research on various energy technology areas. (Author/SK)

The quality of institutional research, particularly at New Jersey's research universities, is critical to the competitiveness of both the institutions and the state. Strategic efforts to enhance the quality of research, expand the boundaries of knowledge, and increase the amount of research funding for colleges and universities in the state are…