This report provides a summarized version of a larger study conducted by the Office of Technology Assessment concerning the choices that Congress and the executive branch must make in supporting U.S. science and engineering. The summary first discusses the report's origins; trends in federal research funding; and a look at federally funded research in the 1990s. The bulk of the summary then highlights and discusses four main issues and options confronting Congress in research funding. These are as follows: (1) setting priorities in the support of research; (2) understanding research expenditures; (3) adapting education and human resources to meet changing needs; and (4) refining data collection and analysis to improve research decisionmaking. Figures and tables contain breakdowns of various funding trends from the 1960s to the 1990's as well as a projection of cost scenarios for select projects to the year 2005. A final section of the summary reviews possible actions that Congress and the executive branch can take in converging on these issues. (GLR)