The Critical Technologies Institute is a federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) within RAND which serves the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and other government agencies with non-partisan, objective research and analysis on science and technology issues. As an FFRDC, CTI operates under a renewable, multiyear contract administered through the National Science Foundation.

Established in 1992 by an act of Congress, CTI:

• identifies strategies for using science and technology to enhance national security and quality of life
• clarifies the likely consequences of policy choices
• identifies duplication and helps to leverage government research and development capabilities
• establishes and maintains an "institutional memory" on Executive Branch science and technology issues.

CTI's interdisciplinary team of analysts develops key information tools and investigates specific policy questions critical to understanding the role of science and technology in national security and economic growth. CTI research centers on four broad policy areas:

• the federal R&D portfolio, such as analyzing performance goals for government R&D spending
• space policy, such as a study of the Global Positioning System
• education and training, such as how information technology can improve education in the United States environment, and
• health, such as the impact of medical cost containment on technological innovation.

Dr. Bruce W. Don is CTI's Executive Director. CTI's offices are located at 2100 M Street, N.W. Washington DC 20037, 202-296-5000.

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