The Sea and Coast II Programme, which was developed by SANCOR, aims to provide information, advice and training in support of optimal and sustainable use and development of our sea, coasts and estuaries. This programme was implemented in 2001 and should conclude by 31 March 2006, subject to the annual renewal of a Joint Venture contract between Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEA&T) and the National Research Foundation (NRF). This programme which is incorporated within the NRF’s Conservation and Management of Ecosystems and Biodiversity focus area, has the following seven Thrusts:

Click here for detailed descriptions of these Thrusts.

For logistical and administrative purposes, the NRF has clustered these seven separate Thrusts under four sub-focus areas. These are: Coastal and Oceanic Processes (Coastal Processes and Ocean Dynamics), Ecology, Systematics and Conservation of Marine Life (Biodiversity), Mariculture, and Sustainable Marine and Coastal Resources (Innovative Technologies, Resources for the Future, and Tourism and Development).

The joint sponsorship of this programme by the NRF and DEA&T in 2001 was R4,999,382 with an average grant size of R80,635. The breakdown of grants awarded and number of projects per sub-focus area are illustrated in Table 1. The NRF grant-holders supported in this programme in 2001 and their projects are listed in Table 2.

Table 1. The allocated funding and number of projects per sub-focus area of the Sea and Coast II Programme in 2001

The percentage of black students who received grant-holder linked bursaries in the Sea and Coast Programme increased

Moreover the NRF was concerned that only 53 % of the allocated grant-holder linked bursaries in this programme was taken up by students (89 bursaries granted and 12 reserved for the 2^nd half of 2001) and the remaining 47 % of the bursaries was reverted to the NRF. The NRF thus challenged SANCOR to address these two issues.

SANCOR has indicated that there are a number of factors that could contribute to this process. First, a number of students are unable to complete their studies within the registered prescribed period of the NRF, and are no longer recipients of grant-holder bursaries despite still being marine students. Second, students might receive funding from other bursary sources at their universities and technikons. Third, negative perceptions about career prospects could influence students' decisions to study further. The SANCOR Steering acknowledged these above issues and possible causes, but believes that more information is needed before deciding how best to address these issues.

The SANCOR Steering Committee hence requested an overall survey, which aims to provide a comparison of the total number of grant-holder linked bursaries within the Sea and Coast Programme and marine projects in the Institutional Research Development Programme of the NRF with:

This survey is intended to span a period from 1996 to 2001.

Furthermore some concern was expressed with regard to the first year of implementation of Sea and Coast II because:

a) Some applications were not sufficiently focused towards meeting the key objectives of the various thrusts

b) There was a lack of coordination between applications, resulting in either duplication of effort, or, more frequently, failure to address key aims of some of the thrusts.

c) Some projects were either submitted under the incorrect thrust, or were inappropriate to the aims of the thrust.

In an effort to optimise the match between funding applications and the needs of joint venture partners SANCOR, through the Steering Committee, has decided to provide assistance to researchers (i.e. existing grant holders, and prospective new applicants), with their preparation of proposals to Sea and Coast II. This would be accomplished by asking researchers to submit brief pre-proposals to SANCOR. These will be assessed by review panels appointed by the SANCOR Steering Committee, who will provide feedback to applicants as to how best to optimise their applications. By use of this "pre-screening" mechanism the SANCOR Steering Committee hopes to enhance the quality of applications and coordination of the programme (and by inference the chances of funding).

If you wish to avail yourself of this opportunity please contact Renee le Roux (rleroux@mcm.wcape.gov.za) no later than 30 June 2001.

Table 2. Projects supported in the Sea and Coast II Programme in 2001