The White House Office of Management and Budget evaluates R&D programs at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies using a questionnaire that asks about many aspects of their research, including its efficiency. OMB rates programs based on the answers, and an "ineffective" rating can have serious adverse consequences for a program or agency. After having trouble meeting OMB's requirements to measure and demonstrate efficiency, EPA asked the National Research Council for guidance.
EVALUATING RESEARCH EFFICIENCY IN THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, the Research Council's new report, looks at whether the methods OMB, EPA, and other agencies currently use to assess the efficiency of federal R&D are appropriate and effective.
Reporters may obtain a copy by contacting the National Academies' Office of News and Public Information at tel. 202-334-2138 or news@nas.edu. Advance copies will be available to reporters only starting at 3 p.m. EST on Wednesday, Jan. 30. THE REPORT IS EMBARGOED AND NOT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE BEFORE 4 P.M. EST ON THURSDAY, JAN. 31.