The free and open exchange of knowledge both stimulates and provides quality control for the progress of science. The report provides information on the research which EPA is planning for this fiscal year, on how much EPA intend to spend on each program area, and on whom to contact for further details. More than 60 percent of the research budget will be spent through extramural contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements with organizations outside of EPA's laboratories. It is the intent of EPA to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of this research by placing great emphasis upon open competition for extramural support. It is hoped that the information in the report will stimulate qualified parties and make their capabilities known to our research managers so that everyone might gain from sharing experience and expertise.