A National Academy of Sciences study of the National Science Foundation's system for evaluating research grant applications reveals it to be fair and equitable and refutes charges of bias favoring older, established scientists. (MLH)

Describes the chief aims of the Council for Science and Society in London and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Vienna. Indicates that both groups are planning to function as a multinational interdisciplinary organization. (CC)

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)

Describes a U.S.-Egyptian workshop for chemists held in Cairo to formulate research, development, and education projects between the two countries. (SL)

Announces and presents highlights from a new report from NSF "Proposal Review at NSF: Perceptions of Principal Investigators." This report presents the results of a 1986 NSF survey of 14,000 applicants from academic institutions whose proposals for research support had been awarded or declined during 1985. (CW)

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)

Summarizes two initiatives from the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the National Science Foundation to reform science education. The initiatives propose (1) a restructuring of undergraduate college curricula to present science as one of the liberal arts and (2) developing systematic statewide initiatives in science,…