Since the 1950's the Ford Foundation has spent some $36 million trying to promote a closer link-up between American universities and the problems of American cities. This document reviews the foundation's experience and some of the lessons from it and speculates about the future. Since the foundation has not yet fully evaluated the results of this major granting effort, the report is based on personal experience. Sections covered in the report include goals of the foundation, the urban extension (funding of urban experiments in physical planning or city government), economic factors, research, and service. (Author/PG)