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7. Project research is important because it allows the individual researcher freedom of direction. There should be a sizeable increase in the funds available for project research through the Smithsonian Research Awards Program to complement the science efforts of the bureau directors.

In conclusion, the conference participants generally agreed that because of the diversity of the Institution's scientific efforts, the development of highly sophisticated and detailed research objectives and performance standards might be unnecessary for the science carried out at the Smithsonian. Although desirable in other areas for clear management, with regard to research it may be possible only to speak to the most general of Institutional goals, and then rely upon the competence of the individual scientist pursuing his project goals and the skill of the bureau director pursuing his organizational goals. In this manner, the Smithsonian will continue to evolve the coherence of spirit and integrity of purpose which has nourished its science since 1846.