The relationship between the level of researchers' dependency on funding sources and their considerations for choosing to turn to certain funding sources is examined. Monetary and non-monetary aspects of these considerations are explored. University researchers and federal government agencies have a long history of collaboration for purposes of…

A survey of 721 faculty at five doctoral universities found that researchers who maintained a low level of dependency on external support mostly preferred the specific funding source perceived as providing the most rewards at the least cost. Implications of the findings, including the role of the federal government as the major funding source, are…