Memorandum Regarding Proposed Research Project on the Global UFO Phenomenon

This document consists of a memorandum dated 3 June 1977 from Anthony A. Lapham, General Counsel of the Central Intelligence Agency, to the Director of Research and Development (DDS&T). The memorandum serves as a cover for an attached letter from an acquaintance of Lapham, dated 31 May 1977, representing the Stanford Research Institute (SRI) and the Center for the Study of Social Policy. The attached letter proposes a comprehensive research project on the global UFO phenomenon. The proposed project aims to include the collection and analysis of existing official and undeclared government policies on UFOs, the formulation of critical research questions, an assessment of institutional data-gathering systems, and the development of a national research plan. The author of the proposal suggests that the project would be executed by a multidisciplinary team at SRI in collaboration with consultants. Lapham, in his memorandum, notes that he is circulating the proposal at the request of his acquaintance but expresses skepticism regarding the Agency's interest, stating that if the Director does not have interest, he will let the matter down gently. The proposal author also mentions a planned visit to Washington, D.C. on 9 June 1977 to discuss the matter further.