The goals set forth for the National Science Foundation by its new director, Richard C. Atkinson, are detailed. The new director seeks to restructure the agency's applied research programs and to secure more funds for basic research. (BT)

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)

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.…