THE MAJOR PROGRAM OF THE COUNCIL IS TO DEVELOP AND SUSTAIN A LONG-TERM, SUBSTANTIAL AND HIGH QUALITY PROGRAM OF FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH DEALING WITH MAJOR POLICY ISSUES AND QUESTIONS OF EASTERN EUROPE, THE USSR AND ITS SUCCESSOR STATES' SOCIAL, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, AND HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT BY FUNDING CONTRACTS TO US SCHOLARS FOR RESEARCH IN THESE AREAS. ADDITIONALLY, THE COUNCIL MAY ENCOURAGE PROVISIONS FOR RESEARCH MATERIALS, TRAVEL FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES, TRAINING FOR SPECIAL SKILLS, AND SUCH OTHER ACTIVITIES WITH TRAINING VALUE AS IT MAY JUDGE DESIRABLE, FACILITATE CONTACT AND COOPERATION AMONG INDIVIDUAL SCHOLARS, AND BETWEEN THEM AND SPECIALISTS IN GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE ENTERPRISE.