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not available for many of the fields of study represented by Smithsonian scholars. The long lead-time associated with the Federal appropriations process makes it difficult to take advantage of un-anticipated prospects for field work, for the attraction of a visiting scholar to study a particular collection, or for the purchase of equipment to meet a new requirement.

While Federal appropriations will continue to provide the foundation for Smithsonian scholarly programs, it is important to restore the responsiveness and flexibility offered by the use of unrestricted trust funds for project support. It is proposed, therefore, that an annual allocation of such funds (an amount of $500,000 is proposed for fiscal year 1978) be made available for opportune investigations. Examples of potential needs during fiscal year 1978 are instruments to equip the new trust-funded laboratory wing at the Chesapeake Bay Center, matching funds for external grants that will finance the last phase of a four-year archeological project on the north coast of Labrador, the Catalogue of American Portraits (to match a Mellon Foundation grant), and seed money to finance a short-term astrophysical project, the eventual development of which can hopefully be paid for with outside grants and contracts.

Each such specific short-term project will be approved by the Secretary following appropriate review for scholarly merit. Funds will be allocated by the appropriate Assistant Secretary to bureaus and offices for use by particular scholars. Reports on projects and their results will be made available to the Regents.