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The article focuses on the closure of Russia's private scientific research funder Dynasty Foundation and (DF) a growing official crackdown by the Russian government on organizations considered subversive. It states DF was labeled a foreign agent under a recent Russian law and mentions DF founder, telecommunications mogul Dmitry Zimin, was publicly humiliated by accusations he is a Western agent. It reports that philanthropist George Soros' Open Society Foundation was also declared undesirable.

Focuses on science news around the world, current as of March 2, 2001. Russian court's rejection of Baksan Neutrino Observatory's appeal of an order to hand over tons of gallium to the Russian Ministry of Fuel and Power Production; United States legislators' introduction of a bill that would offer a tax break to encourage greater giving to medical studies.

The article reports that the Dynasty Foundation, a private research foundation in Russia, has been designated as a foreign agent by the country's Justice Ministry. The designation, which authorities say results from the foundation's funding from offshore accounts owned by telecommunications entrepreneur Dmitry Zimin, would place reporting and labeling requirements on the foundation. Zimin states that he may cease to finance the foundation. The state of science in Russia is also discussed.

Describes the support that the Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, is giving to the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS). The special resolution to pay off all of RAS research debt; The tendency to multiply committees, which threatens creativity; Other concerns.

Reports that George Soros' International Science Foundation (ISF) is offering its help to other Western agencies interested to support scientists in Russia. European agency INTAS' reservations over the offerings of ISF; ISF's system for transferring research funds and scientific equipment to Russian scientists; History of ISF; Funding and network of scientists.

Reports on the International Sciences Foundation's (ISF) offer to help the parallel body created by European governments to distribute its grant money in Russia and avoid paying heavy state taxes. ISF's offer to the International Association for the Promotion of Co-operation with Scientists from the Independent States of the Former Soviet Union (INTAS); INTAS officials' rejection of the offer.

Reports on International Science Foundation (ISF) Washington office director Alexander Goldfarb's rejection of complaints over the allocation of its second round of research grants to scientists in the former Soviet Union. Total worth of grants; Funding by Hungarian-born financier George Soros; General approval on distribution of initial short-term grants; Objective evaluations.

Reports on the agreement between the International Science Foundation (ISF) and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) to exchange lists of applications that they would like to fund. Possibility for joint financing of projects; Effect of increased financial and logistical pressures; Increase in the effectiveness of spending research funds.

Reports on James Watson's succession of Harley Balzer as chairman of the executive committee of the International Science Foundation. Set up by Hungarian financier George Soros to provide financial assistance to scientists in the former Soviet Union (FSU); Funding; Shortage of scientific journals in the FSU states; Telecommunications project; Other programs from around Europe.

Reports on George Soros's International Science Foundation (ISF). Survival checks for scientists in the former Soviet Union (FSU); ISF's survey method; Phases of handing out research grants; Peer-review of grants by Western scientists; No permanent difference in the economic situation of the FSU.

Reports that an attempt by the newly independent Bashkortostan Republic to take over a research center formerly operated by the Russian Academy of Sciences has dimmed prospects for researchers in the capital city of Ufa. Newly-formed Bashkir Academy of Sciences; Bashkir Scientific Centre; Henri Tolstikov, chairman of the science center; Academician Nikolai Laverov; Details of the compromise reached.

Reports global developments related to science as of November 2001. Need for stricter arms-trafficking regulations in the United States; Assessment of the independent operations of the National Institute of Health; Appointment of biologist Peter Gruss as president of Max Planck Society in Germany.