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Many of the difficulties inherent in the formulation of Swiss national science policy arise from the well-guarded autonomy of the cantons. Applied research seems to be particularly neglected at a national level.
Polish science has advanced on a wide front in the years since the end of the war but international collaboration is still an essential factor in some fields.
The future of ESRO and, particularly, of ELDO hinges on any agreement which may be made to join NASA's post-Apollo programme. Europe almost certainly cannot afford both participation in the shuttle programme and the continuation of ELDO, but it has been suggested that a firm undertaking by NASA to launch all ESRO satellites (including applications satellites) would pave the way to complete transatlantic cooperation.
One of the consequences of France's Sixth Plan is that research in social science and the life sciences will grow at the expense of, for example, nuclear physics. In general, the emphasis will be on improving the quality rather than the quantity of research.
The decision to build a large proton accelerator in Europe has been taken after several years of discussions during which the project seemed to be in jeopardy on more than one occasion. Some radical rethinking of national nuclear physics programmes will undoubtedly follow.
Euratom has failed to develop a unified European nuclear policy because it has been dominated by political considerations. A change in its research planning could, however, smooth the path to a more hopeful future.
The imminent third development plan should help to link scientific research much more strongly to technological development. During the next decade the introduction of an integrated educational system could significantly relieve the present shortage of trained scientists.
Parts of a new centre for biological sciences have recently been opened in Szeged. The problem of the lack of contact with other biologists throughout the world may be somewhat alleviated by the encouragement to be given to foreign scientists to work at the centre.
