Manpower and Education 



The Department of Commerce, Defense, and Transportation support 

 graduate training and education for their employees to aid in career de- 

 velopment. For example, the Navy operates its own post-graduate school at 

 Monterey, California, and the Coast Guard operates an eight-week ocean- 

 ographic technician school. The programs cost : 



(In millions of dollars) 



FY 1967 



FY 1968 



FY 1969 



Department of Commerce 



Department of Defense 



Department of Transportation 



. 1 

 .9 

 . 1 



. 1 



1.3 



. 1 



Additionally, the National Science Foundation supports about 300 post- 

 graduate marine science students as research assistants on grants, the 

 Office of Naval Research about 200, and the Atomic Energy Com- 

 mission approximately 50. One benefit of this education-research arrange- 

 ment is that the student, by participating directly in the research, is afforded 

 an opportunity to obtain first-hand sea-going experience, although this ar- 

 rangement may prolong the time to obtain a degree. It is estimated that about 

 one-half of the graduate students in marine science obtain some assistance 

 through these programs, and most graduate students engage in part-time 

 teaching or work as research assistants. 



In addition to Federal sources of support, there are a number of assistance 

 programs sponsored by the States and by industry, but these are small 

 by comparison. 



Initiation of tiie Sea Grant Program 



Recognizing the importance of manpower, engineering research, and 

 institutional development to future growth in marine sciences, the Congress 

 in 1966 passed the National Sea Grant College and Program Act (Public 

 Law 89-688) . The Act, signed into law on October 15, 1966, charges the 

 National Science Foundation with initiating, developing, and supporting 

 the programs authorized by the Sea Grant Act. It requires the Marine 

 Sciences Council to advise the Foundation with respect to the policies, pro- 

 cedures, and operations of the Foundation in carrying out its functions. 



The Sea Grant Program has three explicit objectives : 



■ — to accelerate training and education of specialized manpower, 

 especially ocean engineers and technicians, required by industry 



145 



