The House Science and Technology Committee is launching a probe of where the U.S. ought to go in making science policy. The general drift of the inquiry involves whether the government's design of research support is out of date. Comments from witnesses indicate that it is. (Author/JN)

Describes the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Applied Science and Research Applications (ASRA) program, the replacement for the Research Applied to National Needs (RANN) program, for providing applied science with an intellectual integrity and concrete usefulness. (SL)

Discussed is a study called "Gaining New Ground--Technology Priorities for America's Future" produced by the Council on Competitiveness. Highlights of the report are presented. Potential influence on federal technology policy is assessed. (CW)

Summarizes recent findings reported in a two-volume publication, "Science Policy: USA/USSR," issued by the National Science Foundation. Volumes I and II review U.S. and Soviet science policy in research and development, respectively. Comparisons are made concerning common problems around energy, environment, and the meaning of security.…