OCEANOGRAPHY 141 



The programs I have been discussing are all classified under the '"Education in 

 the Sciences" heading. The research-supporting operations of the National 

 Science Foundation are also of major importance in connection with this prob- 

 lem. National Science Foundation research grants provide funds to enable indi- 

 viduals already trained in oceanography to carry out research in this field and 

 in related areas of science. Grants made in support of oceanography (as in 

 other fields) typically provide fimds for the support of research assistants as 

 do awards from other agencies supporting oceanographic research. The term 

 "re.search assistants" is used to mean graduate students who are supported as 

 a part of a research grant, either for a specific project or for a broad area of 

 science. In many instances the.^ students work on their dissertation problems 

 in connection with a research grant which has been supported through the Na- 

 tional Science Foundation's basic research program. With the additional funds 

 being made available to the Foundation for the support of ba.sic research in 

 this area, more support will go into projects related to oceanography and. there- 

 fore, additional support will be provided for the training of graduate students 

 in oceanograph.v. 



Another mechanism to which I referred briefly earlier in this letter is that of 

 broad research grants in the area of oceanography to institutions having highly 

 competent staffs and programs in the field of oceanography. Funds thus provided 

 can be used for young scientists who, entering as graduate students in oceanog- 

 raphy, participate in the re.search of these groups. The caliber of the men 

 carrying on the research would be a substantial factor in helping to secure the 

 interest of first-rate students in careers in oceanography. As a further comment 

 with respect to the role that research grants can play in attracting more able 

 young scientists into careers in oceanography, I would also place high on the list 

 the provision of adequate facilities. This includes, of course, suitable vessels 

 for carrying on oceanographic research. Various Government agencies, includ- 

 ing the National Science Foundation, have programs to assure the provision of 

 more facilities of this nature. 



The Foundation stands ready to assist in all of these ways discussed above, 

 and I believe that an attack on the problem with the many devices at the command 

 of the Government and universities should result in an important strengthening 

 of work in this field. 



In summary, the primary problems in the area of oceanographic research and 

 training appear to be the following : 



(1) Motivation of more young persons to undertake careers in science and. 

 at a later stage, to become interested in the field of oceanography. While 

 financial assistance for highly capable persons interested in oceanography 

 is, and should be. available, the problem is not primarily one of financial 

 support, we believe, but more of encouraging oceanography as a career. 

 As noted above, the National Science Foundation is undertaking efforts to 

 achieve this objective. 



(2) Coordination of Federal and pi'ivate activities with respect to stimu- 

 lating research and training activities in oceanography. P^'ederal agencies 

 concerned with matters of oceanographic research and with the marine sci- 

 ences are working closely with one another and with non-Federal organiza- 

 tions to develop a comprehensive attack on the problem. In this connection, 

 the Ford Foundation has recently announced the award of grants to several 

 universities, designed to increase the number of advanced research scientists 

 in the field of oceanography. 



(3) Provision of funds to carry out needed programs in the field of 

 oceanography and the marine sciences. The 1901 budget provides for sub- 

 stantial expansion of Federal support of oceanograi^hy through programs of 

 the Foundation and a number of other agencies. We understand that total 

 expenditures for oceanography exclusive of funds for certain military pur- 

 poses will be $56 million in 1961 as contrasted with .$38 million in 1960. As 

 we mentioned earlier, care must be exercised, however, so as not to create 

 too great an imbalance between oceanography and other areas of science. 

 Another factor directly related to utilization of oceanogi-aphic research 

 funds is that the number of oceanographers presently trained and capable 

 of doing high quality research work is limited and until there is a significant 

 in.crease in the number of such persons, additional funds alone will not 

 achieve the desired result. 



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