304 



scholarship and fellowship assistance would not be available. 

 Assistantships would. 



Do you want to speak to that, Mr. Maechling ? 



Mr. Maechling. I think the only thing that I could add to that, 

 Mr. Congressman, is that under the rather broad authority granted by 

 the act there does not seem to be much doubt legally that it is quite pos- 

 sible to give this type of grant or scholarship to individuals. However, 

 I believe the policy of the Foundation has been to include such support 

 under or within the sphere of an established project or program. 



Mr. Lennon. That leads me to ask, under the legal definition for 

 the purpose of this title we define a sea-grant college and say, " * * * 

 which has major programs devoted to increasing our Nation's utiliza- 

 tion of the world's marine resources." 



You find that under subsection 3 of the same title, section 204 on 

 page 3 of the act. 



There again I am strengthened by my belief that it was the con- 

 gressional intent in getting this program off the ground that we 

 should confine ourselves to those colleges, universities, and insti- 

 tutes which already had major programs. If I read the terms and 

 definition, it specifically and rather definitively describes a grantee as 

 a sea-grant college which has a major program devoted to increasing 

 our Nation's utilization program. Then the act goes on to define the 

 term "sea-grant program." 



That also is rather limited to those institutions which are already 

 engaged in the development of marine resources, and so fourth. I 

 think we are in agreement on this because the demand that is coming 

 in already, as you have said, necessitates that this act be tightly fol- 

 lowed during its first 2 or 3 years, even if funding were not a problem, 

 which it is. 



I think we liave to run a pretty tight ship on this thing under the 

 language and intent of Congress under the act. I think you agree with 

 me on that ? 



Mr. Abel. I would more than agree with you on that, Mr. Lennon. 

 "Without that j^articular kind of statement and differentiating factor, 

 I frankly would not know how to begin the screening process. 



Mr. Lennon. So far this act is only effective as regards funding in 

 the fiscal year. It was funded for the fiscal year ending June 30 of 

 next year, fiscal year 1968. Have there actually been any grants? 



Mr. Abel. No, sir. 



Mr. Lennon. Wliat appropriation bill did this come under — the 

 independent offices ? 



Mr. Abel. Yes, sir. 



Mr. Lennon. The House has passed the independent offices appro- 

 priation bill. They have not passed that in the Senate yet ? 



Mr. Abel. As I understand it, it is 



Mr. Lennon, It may have. 



Mr. Abel. There w^as some action during this week while I was out 

 of town. Dr. Robertson might know about it. 



Dr. Robertson. I believe it passed the Senate the day before yester- 

 day and will go to conference. 



Mr. Lennon. So far as you recollect, the $4 million in the President's 

 budget was included both in the House action and in the Senate action ; 

 is that your information, gentlemen ? 



