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Science and Technology Centers Principles and Guidelines (1987) / Chapter Skim
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V. Some Cautionary Observations
Pages 23-26

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From page 23...
... In acknowledging the potential value of such centers, however, the panel recognizes several potential problems: o Science and Technology Centers may divert funds from individual investigator grants, which continue to be the best means of supporting research and training in many scientific fields. The panel envisions increasing support for centers only in the context of a rising NSF budget and has received assurances that the Foundation's leadership is of the same view.
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From page 24...
... Although acknowledging that universities labor under severe constraints in funding instrumentation and facilities, the panel believes that it is the responsibility of each research university to face this issue squarely. The centers program should be evaluated periodically to inform NSF of the cumulative effect of the program on the universities.
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From page 25...
... These are problems that the NSF Science and Technology Centers program will not solve but that urgently need attention. Notwithstanding these cautions, the panel believes that Science and Technology Centers can make significant contributions to science and the nation's economic competitiveness if they have proper management, resources, and evaluation and if the Foundation maintains a healthy balance among the principal modes of research support.
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Key Terms

  • centers program
  • individual investigator
  • received assurances
  • short duration
  • induced able

  • evaluated periodically
  • preclude centers
  • rising nsf
  • issue squarely
  • obsolete equipment

  • furnish instrumentation
  • entire continuum
  • nsf budget
  • formative stages
  • existing basic

  • center program
  • economic competitiveness
  • reducing healthy
  • implemented wisely
  • research suffer

  • cumulative effect
  • technology center
  • inadequate staffing
  • nsf research
  • healthy competition

  • experts outside
  • divert funds
  • increasing support
  • program induced
  • uri program


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