The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) in Laxenburg, Austria, is an international institution that, according to its charter, conducts pure and applied research in systems analysis, "in relation to problems of modern societies arising from scientific and technological development." The institute is governed by a council comprised of representatives from 15 National Member Organizations, including the United States, the Soviet Union, Canada, Japan, and several Western and Eastern European countries. In December 1989, the President determined that IIASA conducts useful research and merits U.S. support. Currently, its major research is focused in four policy relevant areas: (1) the Envirnomental and Climate and Ecology-Related Program; (2) Population Program; (3) Technology, Economy and Society Program; and (4) System and Decision Science Program. This grant will support research in all four areas. Many of the specific issues addressed by IIASA's research, particularly in the first of these broad program areas, is closely related to Global Climate Change problems. In view of its long-standing ties with scientists in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, IIASA is in a particularly good position to explore environmentally-related problems in that region of Europe, including their likely long- term conseqences for Western Europe.
