AbstractA way is proposed for a government science department (DSIR) 10 meet the demand for greater accountability in its research spending, by setting program me objectives within a framework of national objectives for different sectors.Scientists are inevitably reluctant to subject their work to these performance indicators.Difficulties arise in DSIR because much research produces no product or process. Measurement of success or usefulness is thus not easy.The area of nutrition research is investigated in relation to some health objectives devised in the US.