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 sponsored by ONR. Cooperative research between ONR and private industry could range 



from high-profile activities, such as the high-resolution meteorological models developed in 



1995 to aid in the U.S. defense of the America's Cup, to potential breakthroughs in 



extremely practical problems, such as marine corrosion and biofouling (familar to any marine 



boat owner, the Navy alone spends an estimated $3 billion a year combating this age-old 



problem). Other agencies that support ocean scientists in agency laboratories (e.g.. 



Department of Energy, U.S. Geological Survey, NOAA) have the potential to transfer useful 



science and technology to the nongovernmental sector. Research conducted by academic 



scientists and funded by federal agencies is commonly published in the scientific literature, 



but the implications of this research may not be obvious to potential governmental or 



commercial users. Strategic partnering and development of mechanisms for transfer of 



research results and technology among the private sector, academia, and federal agencies 



would strengthen U.S. capabilities in basic and applied ocean science. Such mechanisms 



would also promote U.S. economic competitiveness and our ability to respond to national 



security and environmental challenges. 



The United States possesses significant capabilities for conducting ocean science. 

 Faced with limited resources, federal agencies, academia, and the private sector must pursue 

 a greater level of cooperation and efficiency. Only with coordinated and strong partnerships 

 can we ensure that the United States will continue to be a world leader in ocean science and 

 technology development. 



