Probleme der Forschungsförderung

Various types of research (application, collection of data using scientific methods, research into the unknown) demand different kinds of promotion (direct external control, research under contract, project research, grant application by the scientist himself, free research), and they demand forms of organization appropiate for the work of individuals, of teams, for the promotion of large groups and sometimes for planning. Persons are always the most important problem; few should remain in the second rank, many should later do something else. Quality and honesty, and their recognition by the public, must remain the fundamental criteria of all research. Growing government influence, with planning and priorities and with a bias towards large projects, should be balanced against a continous effort to maintain and increase the scientific capacity by not neglecting basic research.