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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
BETHESDA, MARYLAND 20014

October 27, 1970

Dr. Joshua Lederberg
Professor of Genetics
Department of Genetics
Stanford University

School of Medicine

Palo Alto, California 94304

Dear Dr, Lederberg:

We are now beginning our annual collection of "research highlights."
These short statements (2 to 4 paragraphs) show by specific example
the scientific merit and health relevance of the various projects we
support. They are used in dialogues with other elements of the NIH,
the Congress, the rest of the Federal Government, the scientific
community, and the public.

In order for these "highlights" to have the greatest potential effect,
they must be written clearly, simply and directly in enough detail to
convey the importance of the work. They must also, without Jargon--
scientific or bureaucratic-—-relate the research examples as much as
possible to human needs.

The availability of this type of material is especially crucial now,
as fiscal restraints result in more frequent calls for justification
of all Federal expenditures. The staff and I will be taking this
type of material from reports you have already submitted to us, and
we'll probably be calling many of you to verify details or
interpretations as our deadline of November 30, 1970, approaches. In
addition, we would appreciate it if, in the next week or two, you and
your colleagues would select one or two topics pertinent to your
resource, and try your hand at preparing some "program highlights" as
explained above.

We cannot stress enough the importance of this type of material to
the continued success of our program. Thank you for your continuing
cooperation in this and other matters. I look forward to hearing
from you.

Sincerely yours,

- William F. Raub, Ph.D.
Chief
. Special Research Resources Branch
ne Division of Research Resources

—~o~gewm 'gava