The organization, activities, and history of the U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences and the overall science policy, structure, and the framework of the Soviet higher educational system are discussed in this report. Additionally, the federal science policy structure of the United States is outlined; comparison is made between the U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences and the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. The U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences is identified as a principal factor of policy direction in the total framework of the Soviet science policy structure. (Author/AL)