April 24, 1957

Dr. Robert S. Morison

Director for Blological and Medical Research
Roekefa)ler Foundation

49 Neat 49 Street

New York 2, 4.Y.

Dear Br. YUortson:

The Rockefekiter Foundation has teen supporting our research in micro-
bial ganatios for several yerrs. Shile a fair pronortion of our research
support nov comes from federal sources ag well, I have always treasured
the aid from ths Rockefelier grants, not only becaase of the amounts they
represented, brt because of their contirulty and faexibility of applics-
tion.

Our current aid from the Foundation consista of a four-year grant which
will expire august 21, 1957, so that now is none too soon to initlateva
request for ite renewal. Furthermore, I ~ill be leaving about August 1 for
a three months! tour in Australia (lectures at the University of Melbourne
and some research with Professor Burnet on virus genetics.) The award was
for #25,000, with a proviso that up to £7,500 might be spent in a single
year. J would be personally quite pleasec if the terms of the award could
be duplicated without revision, although increases in coats, and especially
in salaries over the past four years would maka a slieht sivance, say to
30,00G ~ &,000 quite desirable.

As you may know, I now have an affillation with the School of Medicine
as Professor and Chairman of ite new Department of Medical Genetics. The
activities of this department are being organized now; Assistant Professor
Morton is already working at the madisal school, and will shortly occupy
laboratory space in the new Bardeen wing. In addition, we are contemplating
rounding out our program with another member. Dean Bowers and I may very
likely be in further communication with you as our plans and policies
materialize. Meanwhile, howsaver, my own research program continues to be
housed in this department. fie are now drawing plans for new facilities in
a Research Addition to the medical school, for which the construction funds
have been appropriated. It is likely to be at least two years from now be-
fore my own program can be moved to this wing. Then as now. I would retain
the closest affiliation with this department. Until then, it is only appro-
priate that I should continue to budget research funds for my own program
through this department and the College of Agriculture.

I am therefore writing on behalf of the continuity of my existing nork
in microbial genetics. In due course, it may be more apt to contemplate
the coordination of the budget for microbial genetics research with
that of the overall program in medical genetics. However, until that
program has evolved, it is urgent that I have security for the means
to continue our present operations.

In view of the likelihood of the move to the medical school wing
in about two years, a four yaar commitment may be longer than necessary.
If it can be made however, I would prefer to have it, with the proviso
that we might review the channel of support in two years. If, however,
the Foundation would prefer a two year grant now, this would be satis-
factory also.

Neadless to aay, my colleagues and I have been most gratified at the
invarest and aupport that the Foundation fas ghesn ta our work, and I
will be the more so if it finds it possible to continue ita support.
Please let as know in good time if I have neglected any detail.

As you well know, a formal endorsemynt through the College of Agricul~
tara and the office of President Fred will he required in due course to
ratify this applicatisn. 2 will initiate a request for thst ection xa soon
as I have had your reaction and advice on this propcsal.

It happens that I have had occasion to prepare a resuas of nearly ten
years! work acre fox cther purposes. Tam encloging « copy, cz 1t nearly
coincides with the term cf the Foundation's mpoort, and I thought there
might be suas use for a brief, if adiwittedly oversinnlified and biased,
appreciation.

Yours sincergly,

‘ fe o : ~,
“foshun Lederberg od
_Psefesscr of Canetics