Established to provide leadership in educational research and development in the United States, the National Institute of Education (NIE) encourages the participation of minorities and women in its research activities. NIE increased representation of minorities and women in its work force between 1973-79. Minority representation rose from 36% to 42%, while women represent 54% of its work force. The seventeen laboratories and centers conducting educational research projects have some equal employment problems--underrepresentation of minorities and women in professional, management, and governing board positions and overrepresentation of them in clerical and support positions. Long-term agreements containing affirmative action requirements and development of special goals and timetables should help remedy these problems. NIE has undertaken a number of projects to increase participation of minorities and women in its activities, including the unsolicited proposal program, Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Program, Minorities' and Women's Program, and black college initiatives program. These efforts have met with some success, but have generally been inadequately funded and staffed. (YLB)