Availability of Grant Funds for Fiscal Year 2005, 5161-5167 [05-1803]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 1, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5161-5167]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-1803]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 030602141-5010-14; I.D. 012505A]
RIN 0648-ZB55


Availability of Grant Funds for Fiscal Year 2005

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Department of Commerce (DOC).

ACTION: Omnibus notice announcing the availability of grant funds for 
fiscal year 2005.

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SUMMARY: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 
announces a third availability of grant funds for Fiscal Year 2005. The 
purpose of this notice is to provide the general public with a 
consolidated source of program and application information related to 
the Agency's competitive grant offerings, and it contains the 
information about those programs required to be published in the 
Federal Register. This omnibus notice is designed to replace the 
multiple Federal Register notices that traditionally advertised the 
availability of NOAA's discretionary funds for its various programs. It 
should be noted that additional program initiatives unanticipated at 
the time of the publication of this notice may be announced later in 
the year.

DATES: Applications must be received by the date and time indicated 
under each program listing in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be submitted to the addresses listed in 
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for each program. This Federal 
Register notice may be found at the Grants.gov website, https://
www.grants.gov, and the NOAA website at https://www.ofa.noaa.gov/amd/
%SOLINDEX.HTML.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For a copy of the full funding 
opportunity announcement and/or application kit, access it at 
Grants.gov, via NOAA's website, https://www.ofa.noaa.gov/amd/
%SOLINDEX.HTML, or by contacting the person listed as the information 
contact under each program.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NOAA published its first omnibus notice 
announcing the availability of grant funds for both projects and 
fellowships/scholarships/internships for Fiscal Year 2005 in the 
Federal Register on June 30, 2004 (69 FR 39417). The evaluation

[[Page 5162]]

criteria and selection procedures contained in the June 30, 2004, 
omnibus notice are applicable to this solicitation. For a copy of the 
June 30, 2004, omnibus notice, please go to: https://www.Grants.gov or 
https://www.ofa.noaa.gov/amd/%SOLINDEX.HTML. This omnibus notice 
describes funding opportunities for the following NOAA discretionary 
grant programs:

NOAA Project Competitions

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)

    1. 2005 Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside Program
    2. Alaska Marine Resources Educational Partnership Program
    3. Chesapeake Bay Integrated Research Program - Fisheries
    4. Chesapeake Bay Integrated Research Program - Non-native oyster 
research
    5. Chesapeake Bay Integrated Research Program - Submerged Aquatic 
Vegetation
    6. New Bedford Harbor Restoration Projects Grants
    7. Shellfish Growout Facility Development Grants
    8. Western Demonstration Project

NOAA Fellowship, Scholarship and Internship Programs

Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR)

1. Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship

Electronic Access

    As has been the case since October 1, 2004, applicants can access, 
download and submit electronic grant applications for NOAA Programs 
through the Grants.gov website at https://www.grants.gov. These 
announcements will also be available at the NOAA web site https://
www.ofa.noaa.gov/amd/%SOLINDEX.HTML or by contacting the program 
official identified below. However, applicants without internet access 
may still submit hard copies of their applications. The closing dates 
for applications filed through Grants.gov are the same as for the paper 
submissions noted in this announcement. For applicants filing through 
Grants.gov, NOAA strongly recommends that you do not wait until the 
application deadline date to begin the application process.
    Getting started with Grants.gov is easy. Go to www.Grants.gov. 
There are two key features on the site: Find Grant Opportunities and 
Apply for Grants. Everything else on the site is designed to support 
these two features and your use of them. While you can begin searching 
for grant opportunities for which you would like to apply immediately, 
it is recommended that you complete the remaining Get Started steps 
sooner rather than later, so that when you find an opportunity for 
which you would like to apply, you are ready to go.
Get Started Step 1 B Find Grant Opportunity for Which You Would Like to 
Apply
    Start your search for Federal government-wide grant opportunities 
and register to receive automatic email notifications of new grant 
opportunities or any modifications to grant opportunities as they are 
posted to the site by clicking the Find Grant Opportunities tab at the 
top of the page.
Get Started Step 2 B Register with Central Contractor Registry (CCR)
    Your organization will also need to be registered with Central 
Contractor Registry. You can register with them online. This will take 
about 30 minutes. You should receive your CCR registration within 3 
business days. Important: You must have a DUNS number from Dun & 
Bradstreet before you register with CCR. Many organizations already 
have a DUNS number. To determine if your organization already has a 
DUNS number or to obtain a DUNS number, contact Dun & Bradstreet at 1-
866-705-5711. This will take about 10 minutes and is free of charge. Be 
sure to complete the Marketing Partner ID (MPIN) and Electronic 
Business Primary Point of Contact fields during the CCR registration 
process. These are mandatory fields that are required when submitting 
grant applications through Grants.gov.
Get Started Step 3 B Register with the Credential Provider
    You must register with a Credential Provider to receive a username 
and password. This will be required to securely submit your grant 
application.
Get Started Step 4 B Register with Grants.gov
    The final step in the Get Started process is to register with 
Grants.gov. This will be required to submit grant applications on 
behalf of your organization. After you have completed the registration 
process, you will receive email notification confirming that you are 
able to submit applications through Grants.gov.
Get Started Step 5 B Log on to Grants.gov
    After you have registered with Grants.gov, you can log on to 
Grants.gov to verify if you have registered successfully, to check 
application status, and to update information in your applicant 
profile, such as your name, telephone number, email address, and title. 
In the future, you will have the ability to determine if you are 
authorized to submit applications through Grants.gov on behalf of your 
organization.

NOAA Project Competitions

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)

1. 2005 Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside Program
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: For fishing year 2005 (March 1, 2005 - 
February 28, 2006), the New England Fishery Management Council 
(Council) has set aside portions of the total allowable catch (TAC) and 
Days-at-Sea (DAS) allowance in the sea scallop fishery to be used for 
sea scallop research endeavors under a research set-aside (RSA) 
program. The RSA program provides a mechanism to fund research and 
compensate vessel owners through the sale of fish harvested under the 
research quota. Vessels participating in an approved research project 
may be authorized by the Northeast Regional Administrator, NMFS, to 
harvest and to land species in excess of any imposed trip limit or 
during fishery closures. Landings from such trips would be sold to 
generate funds that would help defray the costs associated with 
research projects. No Federal funds would be provided for research 
under this notification.
    FUNDING AVAILABILITY: No Federal funds are provided for research 
under this notification, but rather the opportunity to fish and sell 
the catch to generate income. The Federal Government's contribution to 
the project will be a Letter of Authorization (LOA) that will provide 
special fishing privileges in response to sea scallop research 
applications selected to participate in this program. In the past, 2-5 
awards have been issued. During the 2004 fishing year, the income 
generated ranged from $64,140 to $200,460 with an average of $131,990.
    STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 16 U.S.C. 1853(b)(11), 16 U.S.C. 1881a(e), and 
16 U.S.C. 1881(c).
    CATALOG of FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSITANCE NUMBER: 11.454.
    APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications must be received by NMFS no 
later than 5 p.m. EST, March 3, 2005.

[[Page 5163]]

    ADDRESS FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS: Electronic submission online: 
https://www.grants.gov; Paper applications should be sent to NMFS, 
Northeast Regional Office, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930.
    INFORMATION CONTACT(S): Andrew Applegate, New England Fishery 
Management Council, 50 Water Street, The Tannery, Mill 2, Newburyport, 
MA 01950, phone (978) 465-0492, or Peter Christopher NMFS, Northeast 
Regional Office, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930, phone (978) 
281-9288, fax (978) 281-9135, or email Peter.Christopher@noaa.gov.
    ELIGIBILITY: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher 
education, hospitals, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, 
individuals, State, local and Indian tribal governments. Federal 
agencies or institutions are not eligible to receive Federal assistance 
under this notice. Also, a person is not eligible to submit an 
application under this program if he/she is an employee of any Federal 
agency. Fishery Management Council members who are not Federal 
employees may submit an application.
    COST SHARING REQUIREMENT: None.
    INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW: Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
2. Alaska Marine Resources Educational Partnership Program
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: The Alaska Marine Resources Educational 
Partnership Program is a competitively based program designed to: (1) 
build the capacity of Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) with 
knowledge of Alaska marine resources to support collaborative research 
with NOAA Fisheries and (2) nurture a strong and diverse Alaska marine 
resource education and training partnership program to advance 
environmental literacy and support NOAA's mission in the marine 
sciences. Through this program, NOAA is seeking to partner with MSIs 
that provide undergraduate degrees in environmental sciences and can 
demonstrate their ability to partner with NOAA Fisheries research or 
management entities in Alaska to enhance the preparation of students 
for careers in marine resource fields.
    FUNDING AVAILABILITY: This solicitation announces that 
approximately $75K may be available in FY2005 in award amounts to be 
determined by the applications and available funds.
    STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 16 U.S.C. 753a, 15 U.S.C. 1540.
    CFDA: 11.455 Cooperative Science and Education Program.
    Application Deadline: Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit 
applications electronically through https://www.grants.gov, however, you 
may also submit your application to NOAA in paper format.
    For electronic submission - Applications must be received by 5 p.m. 
Eastern Time on March 1, 2005. Applications received after that time 
will not be considered for funding.
    For paper submission - Applications must be received by 5 p.m. 
Eastern Time on March 1, 2005. Applications received after that time 
will not be considered for funding.
    ADDRESS FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS: Electronic submission online 
is strongly encouraged: https://www.grants.gov.
    Paper submission: MSI-Alaska Program Coordinator, National Marine 
Fisheries Service, Alaska Region, 709 W 9th St., RM 420, Juneau, AK 
99802-1668 ATTN: AMRSP Program.
    INFORMATION CONTACT(S): MSI- Alaska Program coordinator, National 
Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Region, 709 W 9th St., RM 420, Juneau, 
AK 99802-1668 at (907) 586-7280, or by e-mail at derek.orner@noaa.gov.
    ELIGIBILITY: Minority Serving Institutions eligible to submit 
applications include institutions of higher education identified by the 
Department of Education as:
    (i) Historically Black Colleges and Universities,
    (ii) Hispanic-Serving Institutions,
    (iii) Tribal Colleges and Universities, and
    (iv) Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions on the 
most recent ``2003 United States Department of Education Accredited 
Post-Secondary Minority Institutions'' list: https://www.ed.gov/about/
offices/list/ocr/edlite-minorityinst.html. Applications will not be 
accepted from any other entity submitted on behalf of MSIs.
    COST SHARING REQUIREMENTS: No cost sharing is required under this 
program, however, the NOAA Alaska Regional Office strongly encourages 
applicants to share as much of the costs of the awards as possible. 
Funds from other Federal awards may not be considered matching funds.
    INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW: Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
3. Chesapeake Bay Integrated Research Program - Fisheries
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: The Chesapeake Bay Integrated Research Program 
for Fisheries is a competitively based program that supports research, 
monitoring, modeling and management addressing various aspects of 
Chesapeake Bay fisheries. The Chesapeake Bay is a complex and dynamic 
ecosystem that supports many fisheries that are economically and 
ecologically important both regionally and nationally. Funded projects 
foster our knowledge and understanding of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem 
by: (1) providing biological information and life history 
characteristics for many individual Chesapeake Bay fisheries stocks, 
and (2) broadening the multispecies knowledge base for development of 
fisheries ecosystem planning. All projects supported through this 
program will address recommendations of ``Fisheries Ecosystem Planning 
for the Chesapeake Bay'' (https://noaa.chesapeakebay.net/fish) and 
provide timely (real-time) information for making resource management 
decisions in an ecosystem context.
    FUNDING AVAILABILITY: This solicitation announces that 
approximately $2 M may be available in FY2005 in award amounts to be 
determined by the applications and available funds. It is the intent of 
the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office to renew funding for several projects 
currently being supported and to make awards with funding through this 
notice to these programs pending successful review of a new application 
package, and adequate progress reports and/or site visits.
    STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 16 U.S.C. 753a; 16 U.S.C. 661.
    CFDA: 11.457 Chesapeake Bay Studies.
    APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit 
applications electronically through https://www.grants.gov, however, you 
may also submit your applications to NOAA in paper format.
    For electronic submission - Applications must be received by 5 p.m. 
Eastern Time on March 1, 2005. Applications received after that time 
will not be considered for funding.
    For paper submission - Applications must be received by 5 p.m. 
Eastern Time on March 1, 2005. Applications received after that time 
will not be considered for funding.
    ADDRESS FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS: Electronic submission online 
is strongly encouraged: https://www.grants.gov.

[[Page 5164]]

    Paper submission: NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office, 410 Severn Avenue, 
Suite 107A, Annapolis, MD 21403 ATTN: - CBIRP-Fisheries.
    INFORMATION CONTACT(S): Derek Orner, NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office, 
410 Severn Avenue, Suite 107A, Annapolis, MD 21403, (410) 267-5676, or 
by fax at (410) 267-5666, or by e-mail at derek.orner@noaa.gov.
    ELIGIBILITY: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher 
education, other non-profits, commercial organizations, organizations 
under the jurisdiction of foreign governments, international 
organizations, state, local and Indian tribal governments. Federal 
agencies or institutions are not eligible to receive Federal assistance 
under this notice.
    COST SHARING REQUIREMENTS: No cost sharing is required under this 
program, however, the NCBO strongly encourages applicants to share as 
much of the costs of the awards as possible. Funds from other Federal 
awards may not be considered matching funds. The nature of the 
contribution (cash versus in-kind) and the amount of matching funds 
will be taken into consideration in the review process. Priority 
selection will be given to applications that propose cash rather than 
in-kind contributions.
    INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW: Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
4. Chesapeake Bay Integrated Research Program - Non-native Oyster 
Research
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: The Chesapeake Bay Integrated Research Program 
for non-native oyster research is a competitively based program that 
provides information and research to support a programmatic 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the proposed introduction of a 
non-native oyster species to the Chesapeake Bay and other tidal waters 
of Maryland and Virginia. The EIS will evaluate the proposed 
introduction and seven identified alternatives. NOAA is serving as the 
science agency ensuring adequate scientific input is obtained to inform 
the EIS assessments and decision-making process. NOAA seeks 
applications for projects that will provide data and information in the 
following three areas: (1) Biological, (2) Economic, and (3) Analysis 
of EIS alternatives.
    FUNDING AVAILABILITY: This solicitation announces that 
approximately $2M may be available in FY2005 in award amounts to be 
determined by the applications and available funds. It is the intent of 
the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office to renew funding for several projects 
currently being supported and to make awards with funding through this 
notice to these programs pending successful review of a new application 
package, and adequate progress reports and/or site visits.
    STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 16 U.S.C. 753a; 16 U.S.C. 661.
    CFDA: 11.457 Chesapeake Bay Studies.
    APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit 
applications electronically through https://www.grants.gov, however, you 
may also submit your applications to NOAA in paper format.
    For electronic submission - Applications must be received by 5 p.m. 
eastern time on March 1, 2005. Applications received after that time 
will not be considered for funding.
    For paper submission - Applications must be received by 5 p.m. 
Eastern Time on March 1, 2005. Applications received after that time 
will not be considered for funding.
    ADDRESS FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS: Electronic submission online 
is strongly encouraged: https://www.grants.gov.
    Paper submission: NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office, 410 Severn Avenue, 
Suite 107A, Annapolis, MD 21403 ATTN: CBIRP-oyster.
    INFORMATION CONTACT(S): Jamie King, at (410) 267-5655 or Derek 
Orner, at (410) 267-5676, NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office, 410 Severn 
Avenue, Suite 107A, Annapolis, MD 21403, or by fax at (410) 267-5666, 
or by e-mail at jamie.king@noaa.gov or derek.orner@noaa.gov.
    ELIGIBILITY: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher 
education, other non-profits, commercial organizations, organizations 
under the jurisdiction of foreign governments, international 
organizations, state, local and Indian tribal governments. Federal 
agencies or institutions are not eligible to receive Federal assistance 
under this notice.
    COST SHARING REQUIREMENTS: No cost sharing is required under this 
program, however, the NCBO strongly encourages applicants to share as 
much of the costs of the awards as possible. Funds from other Federal 
awards may not be considered matching funds. The nature of the 
contribution (cash versus in-kind) and the amount of matching funds 
will be taken into consideration in the review process. Priority 
selection will be given to applications that propose cash rather than 
in-kind contributions.
    INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW: Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
5. Chesapeake Bay Integrated Research Program - Submerged Aquatic 
Vegetation
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: The Chesapeake Bay Integrated Research Program 
for Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Culture and Restoration is a 
competitively based program designed to enhance and increase this 
important fisheries habitat in Chesapeake Bay and its tidal 
tributaries. Applications should follow and refer to the guidance in 
the Chesapeake Bay Program's ``Strategy to Accelerate the Protection 
and Restoration of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation in the Chesapeake Bay'' 
which is available at https://www.chesapeakebay.net/pubs/subcommittee/
lrsc/thwg/Final_SAV_restoration.PDF or via the Program Coordinator.
    FUNDING AVAILABILITY: This solicitation announces that 
approximately $700K may be available in FY2005 in award amounts to be 
determined by the applications and available funds. It is the intent of 
the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office to renew funding for several projects 
currently being supported and to make awards with funding through this 
notice to these programs pending successful review of a new application 
package, and adequate progress reports and/or site visits.
    STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 16 U.S.C. 753a; 16 U.S.C. 661.
    CFDA: 11.457 Chesapeake Bay Studies.
    APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit 
applications electronically through https://www.grants.gov, however, you 
may also submit your applications to NOAA in paper format.
    For electronic submission - Applications must be received by 5 p.m. 
Eastern Time on March 1, 2005. Applications received after that time 
will not be considered for funding.
    For paper submission - Applications must be received by 5 p.m. 
Eastern Time on March 1, 2005. Applications received after that time 
will not be considered for funding.
    ADDRESS FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS: Electronic submission online 
is strongly encouraged: https://www.grants.gov.
    Paper submission: NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office, 410 Severn Avenue, 
Suite 107A, Annapolis, MD 21403 ATTN: CBIRP- SAV
    INFORMATION CONTACT(S) Peter Bergstrom, at (410) 267-5665 or Derek 
Orner, at (410) 267-5676, NOAA

[[Page 5165]]

Chesapeake Bay Office, 410 Severn Avenue, Suite 107A, Annapolis, MD 
21403, or by fax at (410) 267-5666, or by e-mail at 
peter.bergstrom@noaa.gov or derek.orner@noaa.gov.
    ELIGIBILITY: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher 
education, other non-profits, commercial organizations, organizations 
under the jurisdiction of foreign governments, international 
organizations, state, local and Indian tribal governments. Federal 
agencies or institutions are not eligible to receive Federal assistance 
under this notice.
    COST SHARING REQUIREMENT: No cost sharing is required under this 
program, however, the NCBO strongly encourages applicants to share as 
much of the costs of the awards as possible. Funds from other Federal 
awards may not be considered matching funds. The nature of the 
contribution (cash versus in-kind) and the amount of matching funds 
will be taken into consideration in the review process. Priority 
selection will be given to applications that propose cash rather than 
in-kind contributions.
    INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW: Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
6. New Bedford Harbor Restoration Projects Grants
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: NMFS, serving as the Administrative Trustee on 
behalf of the New Bedford Harbor Trustee Council (Trustee Council or 
Council) is inviting the public to submit applications for available 
funding provided for projects that will restore natural resources that 
were injured by the release of hazardous substances, including 
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), in the New Bedford Harbor 
environment. The Trustee Council is responsible for restoration of 
natural resources injured through the release of polychlorinated 
biphenyls (PCBs) and other hazardous substances into the New Bedford 
Harbor, Massachusetts Environment. The Council consists of the: (1) 
Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs; (2) U.S. 
Department of Commerce represented by NMFS; and (3) U.S. Department of 
the Interior represented by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Funding 
will be provided through grants or cooperative agreements issued 
through NOAA. Depending on the level of Federal involvement, selected 
recipients will enter into either a cooperative agreement or grant. 
NOAA reserves the right to utilize a different vehicle, such as a 
contract, if a grant or cooperative agreement is determined not to be 
the appropriate vehicle for funding.
    FUNDING AVAILABILITY: The Council intends to fund up to $5.5 
million for restoration projects addressing the natural resource injury 
within the New Bedford Harbor Environment.
    STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 16 U.S.C. 661-667e, 42 U.S.C. 9601-9626.
    CFDA: 11.463. Habitat Conservation.
    APPLICATION DEADLINE: All applications for funding must be received 
by 5 p.m. Eastern Time, March 18, 2005. Applications received after 
that time will not be considered for funding.
    ADDRESS FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS: Electronic submission online: 
https://www.grants.gov; Paper applications should be sent to New Bedford 
Harbor Trustee Council, c/o National Marine Fisheries Service, 1 
Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930, Attn: Jack Terrill.
    INFORMATION CONTACT(S): Jack Terrill, Coordinator, New Bedford 
Harbor Trustee Council, c/o National Marine Fisheries Service, 1 
Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930, or by phone at 978-281-9136 or 
on the internet at Jack.Terrill@noaa.gov; or Steven Block, New Bedford 
Harbor Trustee Council, c/o National Marine Fisheries Service, 1 
Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930, or by phone at 978-281-9127 or 
on the internet at Steve.Block@noaa.gov.
    ELIGIBILITY: Eligible applicants include state, local and Indian 
tribal governments, institutions of higher education, other nonprofit 
and commercial organizations, and individuals.
    COST SHARING: It is not required that applications contain cost 
sharing. However, the Trustee Council does encourage respondents to 
think about cost sharing, and if it is appropriate for a project, to 
discuss within the application the degree to which cost sharing may be 
possible. If cost sharing is proposed, the respondent is asked to 
account for both the Council and non-Council amounts. This information 
will allow the Council to better plan future expenditures.
    INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW: Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
7. Shellfish Growout Facility Development Grants
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: On behalf of the New Bedford Harbor Trustee 
Council (Council), NMFS, serving as the Administrative Trustee to the 
Council, announces the availability of funds for projects that will 
construct and operate a shellfish growout facility or facilities that 
will provide the New Bedford Harbor Regional Shellfish Restoration 
Committee with quahog (Mercenaria mercenaria) seed annually for a 
minimum of five years to enhance shellfish populations in the New 
Bedford Harbor Environment. The shellfish growout facility or 
facilities must be located in the City of New Bedford or the Towns of 
Fairhaven or Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Depending on the level of 
Federal involvement in these projects, selected recipients will enter 
into either a cooperative agreement or a grant. Multiple grants may be 
awarded under this solicitation. Funds are available to state, local 
and Indian tribal governments, institutions of higher education, and 
other non-profit and commercial organizations. This notice describes 
the conditions under which project applications will be accepted and 
the criteria under which applications will be evaluated.
    FUNDING AVAILABILITY: Funding up to $500,000 is expected to be 
available for successful applications by the Trustee Council through 
the New Bedford Harbor restoration program.
    STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 16 U.S.C. 661.
    CFDA: 11.463 Habitat Conservation.
    APPLICATION DEADLINE: All applications must be received by 5 p.m. 
Eastern Time, March 18, 2005. Applications received after that time 
will not be considered for funding.
    ADDRESS FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS: Electronic submission online: 
https://www.grants.gov. Paper applications should be sent to: New 
Bedford Harbor Trustee Council, c/o National Marine Fisheries Service, 
1 Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930, Attn: Steve Block.
    INFORMATION CONTACT(S): Steven Block, New Bedford Harbor Trustee 
Council, c/o National Marine Fisheries Service, 1 Blackburn Drive, 
Gloucester, MA 01930, (978) 281-9127 or e-mail Steve.Block@noaa.gov.
    ELIGIBILITY: Eligible applicants include state, local, and Indian 
tribal governments, institutions of higher education, other nonprofit 
organizations and commercial organizations.
    COST SHARING REQUIREMENTS: Although not required, the Trustee 
Council strongly encourages applicants responding to this solicitation 
to share as much of the costs of the award as possible. Funds from 
other Federal awards may not be considered matching funds. The nature 
of the contribution (cash versus in-kind) and the amount of matching 
funds will be taken into

[[Page 5166]]

consideration in the final selection process.
    INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW: Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
8. Western Pacific Demonstration Projects
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: NMFS is soliciting applications for financial 
assistance for Western Pacific Demonstration Projects. Eligible 
applicants are encouraged to submit projects intended to foster and 
promote the use of traditional indigenous fishing practices and/or to 
develop or enhance western Pacific community-based fishing 
opportunities that benefit the island communities in American Samoa, 
Guam, Hawaii, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Projects may also 
request support for research and the acquisition of materials and 
equipment necessary to carry out such project applications.
    FUNDING AVAILABILITY: The maximum total available funding under 
this announcement is expected to be $500,000. NMFS will select not 
fewer than three and not more than five applicants for Fiscal Year 
2005.
    STATUTORY AUTHORITY: The Secretary is authorized to make direct 
grants to eligible western Pacific communities pursuant to section 
111(b) of Pub. L. 104-297, as amended, and published within 16 U.S.C. 
1855 note.
    CFDA: 11.452, Unallied Industry Projects.
    APPLICATION DEADLINE: For electronic submissions, applications must 
be received by 5 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time on March 15, 2005. All paper 
applications must be postmarked or received by 5p.m. Hawaii Standard 
Time on March 15, 2005. In addition, applicants should use August 1, 
2005, as the proposed start date.
    ADDRESSES FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS: Applicants are strongly 
encouraged to submit applications electronically through grants.gov at 
https://www.grants.gov, however, you may also submit your application to 
NOAA in paper format. Project applications must be sent to: Federal 
Program Officer for Western Pacific Demonstration Projects, Pacific 
Islands Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1601 Kapiolani 
Boulevard, Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814.
    INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Bloom, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814, at 
808-973-2937, or by e-mail at Scott.Bloom@noaa.gov; or Charles 
Ka'ai'ai, Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, 1601 Kapiolani 
Boulevard, Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814, 808- 522-8220 or by e-mail 
at Charles.Kaaiai@noaa.gov.
    ELIGIBILITY: Eligible applicants are limited to communities in the 
Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Area, as defined at section 
305(i)(2)(D) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 
Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), 16 U.S.C. 1855(i)(2)(D). 
Applicants also must meet the standards for determining eligibility set 
forth in section 305(i)(2)(B) of the Act, 16 U.S.C. 1855(i)(2)(B). The 
eligibility criteria developed by the Council and approved by the 
Secretary to participate in western Pacific community development 
programs was published in the Federal Register on April 16, 2002 (67 FR 
18512 and 18513).
    COST SHARING REQUIREMENTS: None
    INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW: Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ''Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''

NOAA Fellowship, Scholarship and Internship Programs

Oceanics and Atmospheric Research (OAR)

1. Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship (Knauss Fellowship 
Program)
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: The Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy 
Fellowship matches graduate students who have an interest in ocean, 
coastal and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions 
affecting these resources with hosts in the legislative and executive 
branches of government for a one year paid fellowship.
    FUNDING AVAILABILITY: Not less than 30 applicants will be selected, 
of which the selected applicants assigned to the Congress will be 
limited to 10. The overall cooperative agreement is $41,500 per 
student.
    STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 33 U.S.C. 1127(b).
    CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSTANCE NUMBER: 11.417, Sea Grant 
Support.
    APPLICATION DEADLINE: Eligible graduate students must submit 
applications to state Sea Grant college programs, whose deadlines vary 
(contact individual states for due dates). Selected applications from 
the sponsoring Sea Grant program are to be received in the National Sea 
Grant Office no later than 5:00 pm EDT on April 6, 2005. Hard copy 
applications that arrive after the closing date will be accepted for 
review only if the applicant can document that the application was 
provided to a delivery service that guaranteed delivery prior to the 
specified closing date and time; in any event, hard copy applications 
received by the NSGO later than two business days following the closing 
date will not be accepted.
    ADDRESSES FOR SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS: Applications from Sea Grant 
programs should be submitted through www.Grants.gov, unless an 
applicant does not have internet access. In that case, hard copy may be 
submitted to the NSGO and should be addressed to: National Sea Grant 
Office, R/SG, Attn: Dr. Nikola Garber, Knauss Program Manager, Room 
11718, NOAA, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (telephone 
number for express mail applications is 301-713-2431). Facsimile 
transmissions and electronic mail submission of applications will not 
be accepted.
    INFORMATION CONTACT(S): Dr. Nikola Garber, National Sea Grant 
College Program, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910; tel: 
(301) 713-2431 ext. 124; e-mail: nikola.garber@noaa.gov; or any state 
Sea Grant Program.
    ELIGIBILITY: Any student, regardless of citizenship, who, on April 
6, 2005, is in a graduate or professional program in a marine or 
aquatic-related field at a United States accredited institution of 
higher education in the United States may apply.
    COST SHARING REQUIREMENT: There will be the one-third required cost 
share for those applicants selected as legislative fellows.
    INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.

Limitation of Liability

    Funding for programs listed in this notice is contingent upon the 
availability of Fiscal Year 2005 appropriations. In no event will NOAA 
or the Department of Commerce be responsible for application 
preparation costs if these programs fail to receive funding or are 
cancelled because of other agency priorities. Publication of this 
announcement does not oblige NOAA to award any specific project or to 
obligate any available funds.

Universal Identifier

    Applicants should be aware that, they are required to provide a Dun 
and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number during the

[[Page 5167]]

application process. See the October 30, 2002, (67 FR 66177) Federal 
Register for additional information. Organizations can receive a DUNS 
number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS Number 
request line at 1-866-705-5711 or via the internet (https://
www.dunandbradstreet.com).

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    NOAA must analyze the potential environmental impacts, as required 
by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), for applicant projects 
or applications which are seeking NOAA federal funding opportunities, 
including special fishing privileges. Detailed information on NOAA 
compliance with NEPA can be found at the following NOAA NEPA website: 
https://www.nepa.noaa.gov, including our NOAA Administrative Order 216-6 
for NEPA, https://www.nepa.noaa.gov/NAO216_6_TOC.pdf, and the Council 
on Environmental Quality implementation regulations, https://
ceq.eh.doe.gov/nepa/regs/ceq/toc_ceq.htm).
    Consequently, as part of an applicant's package, and under their 
description of their program activities, applicants are required to 
provide detailed information on the activities to be conducted, 
locations, sites, species and habitat to be affected, possible 
construction activities, and any environmental concerns that may exist 
(e.g., the use and disposal of hazardous or toxic chemicals, 
introduction of non-indigenous species, impacts to endangered and 
threatened species, aquaculture projects, and impacts to coral reef 
systems). In addition to providing specific information that will serve 
as the basis for any required impact analyses, applicants may also be 
requested to assist NOAA in drafting of an environmental assessment, if 
NOAA determines an assessment is required. Applicants will also be 
required to cooperate with NOAA in identifying and implementing 
feasible measures to reduce or avoid any identified adverse 
environmental impacts of their application. The failure to do so shall 
be grounds for the denial of an application.

Pre-Award Notification Requirements for Grants and Cooperative 
Agreements

    The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements contained in the Federal Register 
notice of December 30, 2004 (69 FR 78389), are applicable to this 
solicitation.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This document contains collection-of-information requirements 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The use of Standard Forms 
424, 424A, 424B, SF-LLL, and CD-346 has been approved by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) under the respective control numbers 0348-
0043, 0348-0044, 0348-0040, 0348-0046, and 0605-0001. Notwithstanding 
any other provision of law, no person is required to respond to, nor 
shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a 
collection of information subject to the requirements of the PRA unless 
that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control 
number.

Executive Order 12866

    This notice has been determined to be not significant for purposes 
of Executive Order 12866.

Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)

    It has been determined that this notice does not contain policies 
with Federalism implications as that term is defined in Executive Order 
13132.

Administrative Procedure Act/ Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Prior notice and an opportunity for public comment are not required 
by the Administrative Procedure Act or any other law for rules 
concerning public property, loans, grants, benefits, and contracts (5 
U.S.C. 553(a)(2)). Because notice and opportunity for comment are not 
required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 or any other law, the analytical 
requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) 
are inapplicable. Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis has not 
been prepared.

    Dated: January 25, 2005.
Helen Hurcombe
Director Acquisition and Grants Office, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 05-1803 Filed 1-31-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S