Department of Defense Report on the Merit Review Process for Competitive Selection of University Research Projects and an Analysis of the Potential for Expanding the Geographic Distribution of Research for the Committees on Approp

摘要

This report responds to the Committee on Conference request, DoD Appropriations Act, 1987 as set forth in the following. With the establishment of the University Research Initiative in fiscal year 1986 and rising funds for the Strategic Defense Initiative, the Department of Defense's investment in university-based research is increasing. Consequently, the appropriations Committees need to ensure that the peer review process for the allocation of university funding is working effectively, and that mechanisms are in pace to broaden the base of DoD university research commensurate with these increasing resources. Therefore, the conferees direct the Department of Defense to submit a report to the Appropriations Committees by March 1, 1987, which (1) explains in detail the current peer review process in a step-by-step fashion; (2) explains current participants in this process, including peer review panels, boards, or conferences, and how such peer reviewers are evaluated and chosen; and (3) an analysis of the potential for expanding the research base into geographical areas which at the present time receive little defense-related university funding. This report explains DoD's merit review process and the participants in that process and also describes the current distribution of DoD research funding to universities and the potential for geographic expansion.