The future quality of science related to the oceans and coasts and their economic well-being, environmental quality and national security depends on high-caliber graduate education programs. Nowhere is this more critical than in state and federal agencies that manage the coast and in industries that rely upon coastal resources. Over the past several decades, graduate education support for the ocean sciences has been less than the support for the life sciences. The looming "bubble" of retirees during the first decade of the 21st century is compounding the situation, and a critical shortage of scientists, ocean policy experts and industry leaders is predicted.

     For a number of years mission agencies, particularly in the federal sector have been encouraged to support a significant number of graduate student opportunities in a range of marine fields to ensure well-educated professionals in the coming decades. The NOAA strategic plan for 2003-08 includes a priority to increase the number and diversity of college students each year in ocean, climate, atmospheric and social sciences. Florida Sea Grant has responded to this challenge. Financial support is provided to graduate students for scientific investigation guided by a faculty mentor. The results are answers to scientific questions and solutions to real-world problems. Another result is the completion of amasters or doctoral degree with the student becoming a part of highly trained work force. These individuals will one day design the creative management concepts to protect the coastal environment and provide economic sustainability to the industries that use coastal resources.

     Florida Sea Grant's support for graduate education includes various scholarship and fellowship opportunities, as well as traditional research assistantships, funded from both public and private sources. Sea Grant's multidisciplinary approach gives students scientific knowledge with interdisciplinary perspective; they use multiple contexts to solve problems; and they learn to communicate complex ideas. Over time, this support has produced significant results. Former scholars now hold professional roles in education, resource management and business. They have indeed positively influenced sustainable use of marine and coastal resources---in Florida, nationally and internationally. Their performance affirms Florida Sea Grant's role in the training of future scientists as part of its total commitment to "Science Serving Florida's Coast."