In 1964 the position of Assistant Secretary for Science was established to be the administrator responsible for overseeing the scientific units of the Institution. In addition to policy issues, the Assistant Secretary was often responsible for aspects of contact with other institutions and the scientific community. In 1985 a new organization was imposed on the Smithsonian, with a view to improved administration of the Institution's diverse units. The Assistant Secretary for Science became the Assistant Secretary for Research, responsible for overseeing the research component of these various units. During this time the office collaborated with the Assistant Secretary for Museums in oversight of scholarly and presentational activities in the science museums. In 1992 the Office was renamed the Office of the Assistant Secretary for the Sciences as part of a reorganization of Smithsonian Institution administration. At this time the administration again created a more defined line between science museums and arts and humanities museums, the former being the responsibility of the new Assistant Secretary for the Sciences. In 1994 the office was again renamed the Assistant Provost for the Sciences, reporting to the Office of the Provost. The office was abolished in 1995 in yet another managerial change.
Assistant Secretaries within this office included T.D. Stewart, Assistant Secretary for Science, 1964; Sidney R. Galler, Assistant Secretary for Science, 1965-1970; David Challinor, Assistant Secretary for Science, 1970-1984, and Assistant Secretary for Research, 1985-1987; and Robert S. Hoffmann, Assistant Secretary for Research, 1988-1991, Assistant Secretary for the Sciences, 1992-1994, and Assistant Provost for the Sciences, 1995.
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Agency History. Record 226777
