The fourth in a series of annual reports assessing the role of and need for federal training programs in the biomedical and behavioral sciences is presented. Highlights of this 1978 report include: (1) the results of surveys of the chairpersons of 1,324 basic biomedical science departments and 474 behavioral science departments in Ph.D.-granting institutions; (2) some changes in the model that has been used to project future demand for doctorate-level faculty in the basic biomedical, clinical, and behavioral areas; (3) discussion of the special circumstances of the D.D.S. and D.V.M. holders in relation to supply and demand for training in the clinical sciences area; (4) an analysis of the work activities of nonclinical behavioral scientists in academic and in nonacademic settings; (5) the identification of a limited number of specific fields within the basic biomedical, behavioral, and clinical areas that warrant special attention; and (6) the results of on-site interviews with deans and faculty of schools of nursing that either have or expect soon to begin doctoral-level research training programs. Chapter One provides a statement of the objectives of the 1978 report and a synopsis of previous reports, and sets forth recommendations for federal support in each area of research training for fiscal year 1980-82. Chapters Two through Six focus on the pertinent issues and recommendations for the basic biomedical sciences, behavioral sciences, clinical sciences, health services research, and nursing research. A glossary and a large bibliography are included. Appended are: descriptions of the research award programs for fiscal year 1979; agendas of conferences on health services research; recommendations and classifications for each field; and a survey of biomedical and behavioral science departments. (BH)