The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.1971 Senate Hearings on National Science Foundation Conversion Programs
Record date · July 20, 2026
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Does
This document records the 1971 Senate hearings held by the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare regarding proposed legislation (S. 32 and S. 1261) to expand the role of the National Science Foundation. The hearings focused on how the agency could facilitate the transition of scientific and engineering resources toward civilian and social problem-solving.
These hearings established the legislative record for potential shifts in federal funding priorities for the National Science Foundation, impacting how scientific research grants were directed toward civilian applications in the early 1970s.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
National Science Foundation
The agency's mandate and potential program scope were the subject of the proposed legislative changes.
Scientific and engineering community
The proposed conversion programs aimed to redirect the focus of these professionals toward civilian and social research goals.
Key Facts
- The hearings were held on October 26 and 27, 1971.
- The subcommittee reviewed two specific bills: S. 32 and S. 1261.
- The primary subject was the expansion of National Science Foundation programs to include 'conversion' efforts.
- The hearings were conducted by the Special Subcommittee on National Science Foundation under the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare.
Show all 5 facts
- The legislative session was the Ninety-second Congress, first session.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of these hearings?
When did these hearings take place?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceFull breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Post-Defense Research Pivot
The hearings reflect a specific 1971 policy interest in transitioning scientific talent away from defense-related work toward civilian social problems.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.govinfo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz5Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools