A 2-year project designed to identify and meet the needs of America's independent scholars is described. Project objectives were to: increase visibility and support for independent scholarship; learn more about independent scholars and their activities and organizations; identify the main problems and needs of independent scholars; stimulate greater institutional responsiveness; and encourage self-organization of independent scholars. Vignettes of independent scholars are included that suggest that scholarship outside of academe has assumed a diversity of new institutional forms and organizational arrangements. Descriptions of 20 organizations outside academe are included. In addition, major problems faced by independent scholars are identified, including: released time, colleagueship, publishing opportunities/incentives, support service/facilities, and funding. An overview of the 1982 National Conference on Independent Scholarship is included, along with recommendations for the following groups: academe; humanities councils, foundations, and funding agencies; independent scholars and their organizations; learned societies; libraries; and the scholarly publishing community. Appendices include a list of conference participants and advisory committee members and an annotated bibliography. (SW)