Federal government science policy and R&D investment are two major factors for the success of research universities in the United States. This case analysis examines how the University of California at Berkeley shifted from a regional to a globally oriented research university by the influence of federal government science policy and R&D investment. The study presents the issue from the following aspects: federal R&D investment and the changes in knowledge production, the differentiation of the academic profession, increasing complexity of university organization in response to federal science policy, the "triple helix" relationships with government and industry, the federalization and privatization of university research, and global and international collaboration of the university in teaching and learning. (Contains 1 table.)