Presented is the testimony of Dr. George A. Keyworth (Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the Executive Office of the President) in the first of a series of posture hearings held in connection with the responsibilities of the Committee on Science and Technology (United States House of Representatives) as it relates to its role in providing research and development (R&D) funds for the government. Among the areas addressed in this testimony (and in Dr. Keyworth's prepared statement) are: criteria embodied in proposed programs for FY 1984; major national goals that are particularly affected by R&D policy (including defense); how the administration is implementing its policy priorities, especially the focus on university basic research; and programs to improve the supply of qualified science and mathematics teachers in secondary schools. The three criteria embodied in FY 1984 programs include: identifying opportunities for scientific advances (constituting the areas of greatest emphasis in the R&D budget); stimulating greater interaction of academic, federal, and industrial scientists and engineers to make sure the best R&D is supported well enough to permit rapid progress; and the appropriateness of the role of the federal government in R&D. (JN)