OCEANOGRAPHY 143 



tain finaiicial assistance as needed and desired. We find substantial 

 evidence that, with the scholarships presently available, students in 

 at least the upper 10 percent of the classes graduated from the sec- 

 ondary schools and planning to pursue studies in science, engineer- 

 ing, and mathematics are generally able to obtain scholarship assist- 

 ance if needed. Other financial assistance, such as loans, is also avail- 

 able to them and others vriih not quite so high scholastic standing. 



As we see it, the problem is more one of motivation, and, if sufficient 

 yomig persons of high capability can be interested in entering upon 

 careers in oceanography, we believe that necessary financial aid c-an 

 be obtained. 



In this connection, the support which the Foundation is providing 

 for research in oceanography and related areas of science is an ex- 

 tremely valuable training mechanism. By means of Foundation re- 

 search o'rants, graduate students can receive support for their partici- 

 pation m the research while, in many cases, working on their disserta- 

 tion problems in connection with the research. In addition to the 

 support we provide for meritorious proposals requesting assistance 

 for particular research, we are in a position to encourage requests 

 for support for research which has a strong emphasis on the training 

 of research workers. 



This is especially good because it provides training at the centers 

 where the standards for oceanographic work are high. Furthermore, 

 we consider support for progi'ams of basic research covering a broad 

 area or subarea of science withm which support may be provided for 

 graduate thesis research. Both of these types of support appear par- 

 ticularly appropriate for oceanography. 



In our comments on H.R. 9361, we discussed m detail those pro- 

 grams of the National Science Fomidation which are of special in- 

 terest in connection with motivating more young persons to undertake 

 science careers, and which can be of particular assistance with re- 

 spect to encouraging careers in oceanography. These programs are 

 as follows : 



(1) The undergraduate research participation program, whereby 

 support is provided to universities for special research-oriented train- 

 ing opportunities for undergraduates during the sununer and, in 

 some cases, throughout the academic year. Under this program, un- 

 dergraduates may receive financial assistance and an opportmiity to 

 work in close contact with scientists who are domg significant re- 

 search. With particular reference to oceanography, the Foundation 

 has awarded grants for support of four imdergraduate research ac- 

 tivities of this nature which are taking place at the Virginia Fisheries 

 Laboratory, Oregon State College, the Scripps Institution of Oceanog- 

 raphy, and Humboldt State College. 



(2) At a lower academic level, the Foundation supports summer 

 programs related to secondary school training by means of which 

 selected high school students can be shown the challenges of a par- 

 ticular scientific field. Two such programs in oceanography are now 

 underway at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and at Louisi- 

 ana State University in a effort to encourage interest in possible 

 careers in this field. We anticipate expanding our activities in this 

 area including those which relate to oceanography. 



(3) Sununer institutes and conferences for college teachei"s. We 

 hope that, through this type of program, college teachei"S in fields 



