Big Science After the war, Lawrence campaigned extensively for government sponsorship of large scientific programs. He was a forceful advocate of Big Science with its requirements for big machines and big money, and in 1946 he asked the Manhattan Project for over $2 million for research at the Radiation Laboratory (). Groves approved the money, but cut a number of programs, including Seaborg's proposal for a "hot" radiation laboratory in densely populated Berkeley, and John Lawrence's for production of medical isotopes, because this need could now be better met from nuclear reactors. One obstacle was the University of California, which was eager to divest its wartime military obligations. Lawrence and Groves managed to persuade Sproul to accept a contract extension. In 1946, the Manhattan Project spent $7 on physics at the University of California for every dollar spent by the university.
biG scIeNce aFter the wAr, lawrEnCe CAMpaIgneD exTensIvely for govErnment sPOnsoRsHip of lArgE sCiEntifiC prOgrAms. he Was A fORceFul aDvocAte oF big sCieNce with its requiRemenTs fOr big macHines aNd biG mOney, aNd iN 1946 he AsKed tHe maNhaTtan proJect for oveR $2 milLion FOR REsEARch aT tHe raDIatiOn laBoRAtory (). grovEs apProved THE monEy, But cut A nUmbEr of prOgrAms, inclUding seabOrg's PrOposal fOr A "hot" radiAtion laboratorY in dEnseLy PopuLAted BerkELEy, And john lAWrENCE's for PRoductiON of meDIcaL iSoTOPes, beCAusE tHiS neeD coulD now BE beTtEr Met From NucleAR reaCtors. One obstacle Was the UNiVERsiTy of californIa, which WAs eaGer to DivESt Its waRTiMe MIlitary obligatioNs. LAwReNce AnD gRoVes Managed TO pErSuadE sPRoUl to AccePt a CoNTRAct eXTension. iN 1946, the ManhattAN PRojeCt speNT $7 On pHYsIcs at The uNiversIty of califoRnIa fOr Every DoLlar spent By ThE uNiversiTy.