The independent, nonprofit research institute is a phenomenon of the twentieth century. These institutions now engage in research not only in industry, but also in national defense programs, public health, space exploration, atomic energy, education, economics, and public policy. The nonprofit research institutes are of particular interest because they have academic counterparts in organized research units on university campuses, and also because they share one of the university's primary functions. Moreover, several leading universities in the U.S. have been involved in the cooperative management of independent research and development organizations. This profile is the first attempt to provide a comprehensive description and analysis of a fascinating scientific and intellectual enterprise that could have increasing impact on the roles of American universities and the progress of our society. Appendices include lists of federally funded nonprofit research and development centers and federal obligations to 125 centers and institutes in 1969. (Author/PG)