Availability of Grant Funds for Fiscal Year 2006, 37766-37788 [05-12927]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 125 (Thursday, June 30, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37766-37788]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-12927]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 030602141-567-18; I.D. 061505A]
RIN 0648-ZB55


Availability of Grant Funds for Fiscal Year 2006

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

ACTION: Omnibus notice announcing the availability of grant funds for 
fiscal year 2006.

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SUMMARY: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 
announces the availability of grant funds for Fiscal Year 2006. The 
purpose of this notice is to provide the general public with a single 
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 through both subsequent 
Federal Register notices and the NOAA Web site. These announcements 
will also be available through Grants.gov.

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

ADDRESSES: Proposals must be submitted to the addresses listed in the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for each program. The FR notices may 
be found on the NOAA Web site at https://www.ofa.noaa.gov/%7Egrants/
funding.shtml. The URL for Grants.gov is https://www.grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For a copy of the full funding 
opportunity announcement and/or application kit, please contact the 
person listed as the information contact under each program.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This omnibus notice describes funding 
opportunities for the following NOAA discretionary grant programs:

NOAA Project Competitions

National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service

    1. Research in Satellite Oceanography
    2. Research in Satellite Data Assimilation for Numerical and 
Climate Prediction Models.
    3. Research in Primary Vicarious Calibration of Ocean Color 
Satellite Sensors.

National Marine Fisheries Service

    1. Protected Species Conservation and Recovery with States.
    2. John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program.
    3. Community-based Marine Debris Prevention and Removal Project 
Grants.
    4. Projects to Improve or Amend Coral Reef Fishery Management 
Plans.
    5. Community-based Habitat Restoration Project Grants.
    6. Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education & Training (B-WET) Program.
    7. FY06 Western Pacific Demonstration Projects.
    8. MARFIN Fisheries Initiative Program (MARFIN) FY 2006.
    9. Cooperative Research Program (CRP) FY 2006.
    10. North Atlantic Right Whale Research Programs.
    11. General Coral Reef Conservation.

National Ocean Service.

    1. NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program--State and Territory 
Coral Reef Management.
    2. NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program--State and Territory 
Coral Reef Ecosystem Monitoring.
    3. South Florida Program.
    4. Northern Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem Research Program (NGOMEX).
    5. Ecological Forecasting.
    6. NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program--International Coral 
Reef Conservation.
    7. FY 2006 Bay Watershed Education & Training (B-WET) Program, 
Hawai'i.
    8. Bay Watershed Education & Training (B-WET) Program, Monterey Bay 
Watershed.
    9. National Estuarine Research Reserves System FY2006 Land 
Acquisition and Construction Competitive Program.
    10. FY 2006 Coastal Services Center Environmental Characterization 
of a U.S. Coastal Region.
    11. FY2006 Coastal Services Center Leadership Training for Coastal 
Managers and Scientists.
    12. FY2006 Coastal Services Center Application of Spatial 
Technology for Coastal Management.

[[Page 37767]]

    13. Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies (CRES) FY 2006.
    14. FY2006 Coastal Services Center Performance Measurement 
Technical Assistance.

National Weather Service

    1. AFWS--Automated Flood Warning Systems (AFWS) Program.
    2. Hydrologic Research.

Oceans and Atmospheric Research

    1. Ballast Water Technology Demonstration Program Competitive 
Funding Announcement (Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation 
Facility).
    2. NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration Announcement of Opportunity, FY 
2006.
    3. Ballast Water Technology Demonstration Program Competitive 
Funding Announcement (Treatment Technology Demonstration Projects).

NOAA Fellowship, Scholarship and Internship Programs

National Ocean Service

    1. Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program; Financial Assistance for 
Graduate Students.
    2. National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) Graduate Research 
Fellowship Program (GRF).

Oceans and Atmospheric Research

    1. GradFell 2006 C NMFS/Sea Grant Joint Graduate Fellowship Program 
in Marine Resource Economics.
    2. Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship (Knauss Fellowship 
Program).
    3. Sea Grant--Industry Fellowship Program.
    4. GradFell 2006 NMFS/Sea Grant Joint Graduate Fellowship Program 
in Population Dynamics.

Electronic Access

    The full funding announcement for each program is available via the 
Grants.gov Web site: https://www.grants.gov. These announcements will 
also be available at the NOAA Web site https://www.ofa.noaa.gov/
%7Egrants/funding.shtml or by contacting the program official 
identified below. You will be able to access, download and submit 
electronic grant applications for NOAA Programs in this announcement at 
https://www.grants.gov. The closing dates will be the same as for the 
paper submissions noted in this announcement. NOAA strongly recommends 
that you do not wait until the application deadline date to begin the 
application process through Grants.gov. Getting started with Grants.gov 
is easy! Go to https://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. Individuals who plan to submit a grant application 
using Grants.gov are required to register with the Credential Provider 
and register with Grants.gov. In order for you to apply as an 
individual, the grant application must be open to individuals and be 
published on the Grants.gov Web site.
    Individuals do not need a DUNS number to register to submit 
applications. The system will generate a default value in that field.
    Individuals who plan to submit a grant application using Grants.gov 
are required to register with the Credential Provider (Step 3 B and 
register with Grants.gov (Step 4 B).

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 e-mail 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 Organizations Must 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 e-mail 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, e-mail 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.

Evaluation Criteria & Selection Procedures

    NOAA standardized the evaluation and selection process for its 
competitive assistance programs. All proposals submitted in response to 
this notice shall be evaluated and selected in accordance with the 
following procedures. There are two sets of evaluation criteria and 
selection procedures, one for project proposals, and the other for 
fellowship, scholarship, and internship programs. These evaluation 
criteria and selection procedures apply to all of the programs included 
below.

Proposal Review and Selection Process for Projects

    Some programs may include a pre-application process which provides 
an initial review and feedback to the applicants that have responded to 
a call for letters of intent or pre-proposals; however, not all 
programs will include such a process. If a pre-application process is 
used by a program, it shall be described in the Summary Description and 
the deadline shall be provided in the Application Deadline section. 
Upon receipt of a full application by NOAA, an initial administrative 
review is

[[Page 37768]]

conducted to determine compliance with requirements and completeness of 
the application. Merit review is conducted by mail reviewers and/or 
peer panel reviewers.
    Each reviewer will individually evaluate and rank proposals using 
the evaluation criteria provided below. A minimum of three merit 
reviewers per proposal is required. The merit reviewer's ratings are 
used to produce a rank order of the proposals. The NOAA Program Officer 
may review the ranking of the proposals and make recommendations to the 
Selecting Official based on the mail and/or panel review(s) and 
selection factors listed below. The Selecting Official selects 
proposals after considering the mail and/or peer panel review(s) and 
recommendations of the Program Officer. In making the final selections, 
the Selecting Official will award in rank order unless the proposal is 
justified to be selected out of rank order based upon one or more of 
the selection factors below. The Program Officer and/or Selecting 
Official may negotiate the funding level of the proposal. The Selecting 
Official makes final recommendations for award to the Grants Officer 
who is authorized to obligate the funds.

Evaluation Criteria for Projects

    1. Importance and/or relevance and applicability of proposed 
project to the program goals: This ascertains whether there is 
intrinsic value in the proposed work and/or relevance to NOAA, Federal, 
regional, State, or local activities.
    2. Technical/scientific merit: This assesses whether the approach 
is technically sound and/or innovative, if the methods are appropriate, 
and whether there are clear project goals and objectives.
    3. Overall qualifications of applicants: This ascertains whether 
the applicant possesses the necessary education, experience, training, 
facilities, and administrative resources to accomplish the project.
    4. Project costs: The Budget is evaluated to determine if it is 
realistic and commensurate with the project needs and time-frame.
    5. Outreach and education: NOAA assesses whether this project 
provides a focused and effective education and outreach strategy 
regarding NOAA's mission to protect the Nation's natural resources.

Selection Factors for Projects

    The merit review ratings shall provide a rank order to the 
Selecting Official for final funding recommendations. A program officer 
may first make recommendations to the Selecting Official applying the 
selection factors below. The Selecting Official shall award in the rank 
order unless the proposal is justified to be selected out of rank order 
based upon one or more of the following factors:
    1. Availability of funding.
    2. Balance/distribution of funds:
    a. Geographically.
    b. By type of institutions.
    c. By type of partners.
    d. By research areas.
    e. By project types.
    3. Whether this project duplicates other projects funded or 
considered for funding by NOAA or other Federal agencies.
    4. Program priorities and policy factors.
    5. Applicant's prior award performance.
    6. Partnerships and/or Participation of targeted groups.
    7. Adequacy of information necessary for NOAA staff to make a NEPA 
determination and draft necessary documentation before recommendations 
for funding are made to the Grants Officer.

Proposal Review and Selection Process for NOAA Fellowship, Scholarship 
and Internship Programs

    Some programs may include a pre-application process which provides 
an initial review and feedback to the applicants that have responded to 
a call for letters of intent or pre-proposals; however not all programs 
will include such a process. If a pre-application process is used by a 
program, it shall be described in the Summary Description and the 
deadline shall be provided in the Application Deadline section. An 
initial administrative review of full applications is conducted to 
determine compliance with requirements and completeness of 
applications. A merit review is conducted to individually evaluate, 
score, and rank applications using the evaluation criteria. A second 
merit review may be conducted on the applicants that meet the program's 
threshold (based on scores from the first merit review) to make 
selections using the selection factors provided below. The Program 
Officer may conduct a review of the rank order and make recommendations 
to the Selecting Official based on the panel ratings and the selection 
factors listed below. The Selecting Official considers merit reviews 
and recommendations. The Selecting Official will award in rank order 
unless the proposal is justified to be selected out of rank order based 
upon one or more of the selection factors below. The Selecting Official 
makes final recommendations for award to the Grants Officer who is 
authorized to obligate the funds.

Evaluation Criteria for Fellowship/Scholarships/Internships

    1. Academic record and statement of career goals and objectives of 
student.
    2. Quality of project and applicability to program priorities.
    3. Recommendations and/or endorsements of student.
    4. Additional relevant experience related to diversity of 
education; extra-curricular activities; honors and awards; 
interpersonal, written, and oral communications skills.
    5. Financial need of student.

Selection Factors for Fellowship/Scholarships/Internships

    1. Balance/Distribution of funds:
    a. Across academic disciplines.
    b. By types of institutions.
    c. Geographically.
    2. Availability of funds.
    3. Program-specific objectives.
    4. Degree in scientific area and type of degree sought NOAA Project 
Competitions.

National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service

1. Research in Satellite Oceanography
    Summary Description: The National Environmental Satellite, Data, 
and Information Service (NESDIS), Office of Research and Applications 
(ORA), announces the availability of Federal assistance in the area of 
satellite oceanography. This program responds to a need for research 
and activities that expand the use of satellite oceanographic data. 
Funded proposals will help build capabilities nationwide in the 
application of satellite oceanographic data for environmental 
monitoring, prediction, and coastal management. Program priorities 
include research in ocean color, sea ice, ocean vector winds, sea 
surface height, sea surface temperature, and sea surface roughness.
    Funding Availability: The total amount available for proposals is 
anticipated to be approximately $375,000 per year. Individual annual 
awards in the form of grants or cooperative agreements are expected to 
range from $50,000 per year to a maximum of $125,000 per year for no 
more than two years.
    Statutory Authority: Statutory authority for this program is 
provided under 33 U.S.C. 883d, 33 U.S.C. 1442, and 49 U.S.C. 44720(b).
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.440,

[[Page 37769]]

Environmental Sciences, Applications, Data, and Education.
    Application Deadline: Proposals must be received no later than 4 
p.m. eastern daylight time, September 23, 2005.
    Address for Submitting Proposals: Proposals must be submitted 
electronically via https://www.grants.gov, or as hard copy (by postal 
mail, commercial delivery service, or hand delivery) to the Office of 
Research and Applications of NESDIS. Hard copy proposals must be 
submitted to: ATTN: William Pichel, NOAA/NESDIS/ORA; WWB Room 601, 5200 
Auth Road, Camp Springs, MD 20746. Tel: 301-763-8231 X166.
    Information Contacts: Administrative questions: Kathy LeFevre, by 
phone at 301-763-8127 ext. 103, fax: 301-763-8108, or e-mail: 
Kathy.LeFevre@noaa.gov. Technical questions: William Pichel (NOAA 
Program Officer), by phone at 301-763-8231 ext. 166, or fax to 301-763-
8020, or via e-mail: William.G.Pichel@noaa.gov.
    Eligibility: Eligible applications can be from U.S. institutions of 
higher education, other non-profits, commercial organizations, and 
State, local and indian tribal governments. U.S. Federal agencies or 
institutions are eligible to receive Federal assistance under this 
Notice as sub-awardees only and are limited in the amount of assistance 
to be received to not more than 25% of the total budget (direct plus 
indirect costs) requested in the proposal.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: None.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
2. Research in Satellite Data Assimilation for Numerical and Climate 
Prediction Models
    Summary Description: The Joint Center for Satellite Data 
Assimilation (JCSDA) announces the availability of Federal assistance 
for research in the area of satellite data assimilation in numerical 
weather and climate prediction models. The goal of the JCSDA is to 
accelerate the use of observations from earth-orbiting satellites in 
operational numerical prediction models for the purpose of improving 
weather forecasts, improving seasonal to interannual climate forecasts, 
and increasing the physical accuracy of climate data sets. The advanced 
instruments of current and planned NOAA, NASA, DoD, and international 
agency satellite missions will provide large volumes of data on 
atmospheric, oceanic, and land surface conditions with accuracies and 
spatial resolutions never before achieved. The JCSDA will ensure that 
the nation realizes the maximum benefit of its investment in space as 
part of an advanced global observing system. Funded proposals will help 
accelerate the use of satellite data from both operational and 
experimental spacecraft in operational and product driven weather and 
climate prediction environments, develop community radiative transfer 
models, develop improved surface emissivity models, and advance data 
assimilation science. This Federal Funding Opportunity is being managed 
by NOAA on behalf of the JCSDA. Applicants are encouraged to submit a 
Letter of Intent (LOI) describing the proposed work and its relevance 
to targeted priority project areas. The purpose of the LOI process is 
to provide information to potential applicants on the relevance of 
their proposed project to JCSDA and the likelihood of it being funded 
in advance of preparing a full proposal.
    Funding Availability: Total funding available is anticipated to be 
approximately $1 million. Individual annual awards in the form of 
grants or cooperative agreements are expected to range from $50,000 to 
$150,000.
    Statutory Authority: Statutory authorities for this program are 
provided under 15 U.S.C. 313, 49 U.S.C. 44720(b); 15 U.S.C. 2901 et 
seq.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.440, 
Environmental Sciences, Applications, Data, and Education.
    Preapplication/Application Deadline: Letters of Intent (LOIs) must 
be received by NOAA/NESDIS no later than 5 p.m. eastern daylight time, 
August 1, 2005, and full proposals must be received no later than 5 
p.m. eastern daylight time, October 3, 2005.
    Address for Submitting Letters of Intent and Proposals: LOIs must 
be mailed or e-mailed to James G. Yoe, Deputy Director, Joint Center 
for Satellite Data Assimilation, 5200 Auth Road, Room 701, Camp 
Springs, MD 20746-4304, e-mail to: James.G.Yoe@noaa.gov. Full proposals 
should be submitted through https://www.grants.gov/ unless the applicant 
does not have Internet access. In that case hard copies may be sent to 
the above address.
    Information Contact(s): James G. Yoe, JCSDA, NOAA/NESDIS, 5200 Auth 
Road, Room 810; Camp Springs, Maryland 20746, or by phone at 301-763-
8172 ext. 186, or fax to 301-763-8149, or via Internet at 
James.G.Yoe@noaa.gov or Kathy LeFevre, NOAA/NESDIS; 5200 Auth Road, 
Room 701; Camp Springs, Maryland 20746, or by phone at 301-763-8127 
ext. 107, or fax to 301-763-8108, or via Internet at 
Kathy.LeFevre@noaa.gov.
    Eligibility: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher 
education, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, international 
organizations, and state, local and Indian tribal governments. Federal 
agencies or institutions are not eligible to receive Federal assistance 
under this notice.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: None.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
3. Research in Primary Vicarious Calibration of Ocean Color Satellite 
Sensors
    Summary Description: The Office of Research and Applications (ORA) 
announces the availability of Federal assistance in the research area 
of ocean color satellite sensor calibration and validation. ORA is 
committed to improving the vicarious calibration capabilities of a 
Marine Optical Buoy (MOBY) system located in Hawaii, with an ultimate 
goal of a continuous, climate-quality time-series of normalized water-
leaving spectral radiances across multiple agency missions and ocean 
color satellite sensors. Research efforts are focused on the reduction 
of the total uncertainty budget in the determination of the normalized 
water-leaving radiances from MOBY measurements, improvements in the 
process used with the MOBY system for validation of ocean color 
satellite sensor retrievals of water-leaving spectral radiances, and 
the development of new MOBY system components which would increase 
measurement integrity. These advances in vicarious calibration 
capabilities would improve the quality and accuracy of ocean color 
satellite sensor bio-optical product retrievals.
    Funding Availability: Funding is anticipated to range from a 
minimum of $900,000 to a maximum of $1,100,000 per year for no more 
than two years. Only one applicant will receive an award.
    Statutory Authority: Statutory authority for this program is 
provided under 33 U.S.C. 883d and 33 U.S.C. 1442.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.440, 
Environmental Sciences, Applications, Data, and Education.

[[Page 37770]]

    Application Deadline: Proposals must be received by 4 p.m. eastern 
daylight time on September 1, 2005. For proposals submitted through 
https://www.grants.gov, a date and time receipt indication is included 
and will be the basis of determining timeliness. Hard copy proposals 
will be date and time stamped when they are received in the program 
office.
    Address for Submitting Proposals: Hard copy proposals should be 
sent to Marilyn Yuen-Murphy; DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/ORA; 5200 Auth Rd., Rm. 
104; Camp Springs, MD 20746. Electronic applications should be 
submitted through Grants.gov.
    Information Contact(s): Marilyn Yuen-Murphy by telephone (301-763-
8102 x159), fax (301-763-8020), or e-mail 
(Marilyn.Yuen.Murphy@noaa.gov); or Kathy LeFevre by telephone (301-763-
8127 x103), fax (301-763-8108), or e-mail (Kathy.Lefevre@noaa.gov).
    Eligibility: Eligible applicants are U.S. institutions of higher 
education, other non-profits, commercial organizations, and state, 
local and Indian tribal governments.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: None.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''

National Marine Fisheries Service

1. Protected Species Conservation and Recovery With States
    Summary Description: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 
announces the availability of Federal assistance to support the 
conservation of threatened and endangered species, recently de-listed 
species, candidate species, and species of concern under the 
jurisdiction of the NMFS or under the joint jurisdiction of the NMFS 
and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (e.g., sea turtles). Any state 
that has entered into an agreement with the NMFS and maintains an 
adequate and active program for the conservation of endangered and 
threatened species pursuant to section 6(c) of the Endangered Species 
Act of 1973 (ESA) is eligible to apply. These financial assistance 
awards can be used to support management, research, monitoring, or 
outreach activities that provide direct conservation benefits to listed 
species, recently de-listed species, candidate species, or species of 
concern that reside within that state. Projects involving North 
Atlantic right whales will not be considered for funding under this 
grant program; such projects may be funded under the North Atlantic 
Right Whale Research Program.
    Funding Availability: Approximately $1.0M in funding may be 
available for grants in FY 2006. Award periods may extend up to 3 years 
with annual funding contingent on the availability of Federal 
appropriations. There are no restrictions on maximum or minimum award 
amounts.
    Statutory Authority: Under section 6 of the ESA, the NMFS is 
authorized to provide Federal assistance to eligible states for the 
purpose of conserving marine and anadromous species that reside within 
that state (16 U.S.C. 1535).
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.472, Unallied Science 
Programs.
    Application Deadline: Proposals must be received by 5 p.m. eastern 
time on September 9, 2005.
    Address for Submitting Proposals: Applicants are encouraged to 
submit proposals online through Grants.gov. If online submission is not 
possible, applications may also be submitted to NOAA/NMFS/Office of 
Protected Resources, Attn: Lisa Manning, 1315 East-West Highway, room 
13633, Silver Spring, MD 20910; e-mail: lisa.manning@noaa.gov.
    Information Contacts: Lisa Manning, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910; e-mail: lisa.manning@noaa.gov; phone: 301-713-1401.
    Eligibility: Eligible applicants are states or their respective 
state agencies that have entered into an agreement with the NMFS 
pursuant to section 6(c) of the ESA. The term ``State'' means any of 
the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of 
Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Trust 
Territory of the Pacific Islands. The term ``State agency'' means any 
State agency, department, board, commission, or other governmental 
entity that is responsible for the management and conservation of fish, 
plant, or wildlife resources within a State.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: In accordance with section 6(d) of the 
ESA, all proposals submitted must include a minimum non-Federal cost 
share of 25 percent of the total budget if the proposal involves a 
single state. If a proposal involves collaboration of two or more 
states, the minimum non-Federal cost share decreases to 10 percent of 
the total project budget.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
2. John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program
    Summary Description: NMFS is inviting eligible marine mammal 
stranding network participants to submit proposals to fund the recovery 
or treatment (i.e., rescue and rehabilitation) of live stranded marine 
mammals, data collection from living or dead stranded marine mammals 
for scientific research regarding marine mammal health, and facility 
operations directly related to the recovery or treatment of stranded 
marine mammals and collection of data from living or dead stranded 
marine mammals. The Prescott Grant Program is administered through the 
NMFS Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program (MMHSRP). It 
is anticipated that awards funded through the Prescott Grant Program 
will facilitate achievement of MMHSRP goals and objectives by providing 
financial assistance to eligible stranding network participants. 
Proposals selected for funding through this solicitation will be 
implemented through either a grant or cooperative agreement.
    Funding Availability: Funding of up to $4,000,000 is expected to be 
available in FY 2006. The maximum Federal award for each grant cannot 
exceed $100,000, as stated in the legislative language (16 U.S.C. 
1421f-1). Applicants are hereby given notice that these funds have not 
yet been appropriated for this program and therefore exact dollar 
amounts cannot be given.
    Statutory Authority: The Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Act of 
2000 amended the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to establish the 
John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program (16 
U.S.C. 1421f-1).
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.439 Marine Mammal Data 
Program.
    Application Deadline: Applications for funding under the Prescott 
program must be received by or postmarked by 11:59 p.m. eastern 
daylight time on August 15, 2005.
    Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications should either be 
submitted online at https://www.grants.gov or sent to: NOAA/NMFS/Office 
of Protected Resources, Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response 
Program, Attn: Michelle Ordono, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 12604, 
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3283, phone 301-713-2322 ext 177.
    Information Contact(s): Janet Whaley, Michelle Ordono, or Sarah 
Wilkin at (301) 713-2322, by fax at (301) 713-

[[Page 37771]]

0376, or by e-mail at Janet.Whaley@noaa.gov, Michelle.Ordono@noaa.gov, 
or Sarah.Wilkin@noaa.gov.
    Eligibility: There are 5 categories of eligible stranding network 
participants that may apply for funds under this Program: (1) Letter of 
Agreement (LOA) holders; (2) LOA designee organizations; (3) 
researchers; (4) official Northwest Region participants; and, (5) 
State, local, eligible Federal government employees or tribal employees 
or personnel. In order for these organizations and individuals to apply 
for award funds under the Prescott Grant Program, they must meet 
eligibility criteria specific to their category of participation.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: All proposals submitted must provide a 
minimum non-Federal cost share of 25 percent of the total budget (i.e., 
.25 x total project costs = total non-Federal share).
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
3. Community-Based Marine Debris Prevention and Removal Project Grants
    Summary Description: NMFS is inviting the public to submit 
proposals for funding available through the NOAA Marine Debris Program 
(MDP) to implement grass-roots projects to prevent or remove marine 
debris that will benefit living marine resource habitats and 
navigational waterways. Projects funded through the NOAA Community-
based Marine Debris Prevention and Removal Project Grants competition 
will be expected to have strong on-the-ground marine debris prevention 
or removal components that provide educational and social benefits for 
people and their communities in addition to long-term ecological 
habitat improvements for NOAA trust resources. Proposals selected for 
funding through this solicitation will be implemented through 
cooperative agreements. Marine debris removal may include, but is not 
limited to:
     Detection and removal of derelict fishing gear;
     Removal of solid waste material in coastal habitats 
including marshes, bays, mangroves, and coral reefs;
     Shoreline clean-ups including a targeted outreach/
education component;
     Removal of debris from marine, estuarine or beach 
environments resulting from hurricanes or other natural disasters;
     Detection and removal of derelict pilings, bulkheads and 
similar obsolete materials that pose a hazard to navigation or diminish 
habitat quality.
    Marine debris prevention may include, but is not limited to:
     Training for the safe removal of derelict fishing gear, 
ghost nets, and other debris adversely impacting coastal habitats;
     Monitoring cleaned areas to determine re-accumulation 
rates;
     Prevention activities related to reception facilities at 
marinas and fishing ports including recycling initiatives for 
monofilament fishing line and other types of fishing gear, or debris; 
and
     The development of debris reduction incentives for 
prevention, removal, and safe disposal of plastics and derelict fishing 
gear.
    Funding Availability: Funding of up to $2,000,000 is expected to be 
available for Community-based Marine Debris Prevention and Removal 
Projects in FY 2006. The NOAA Restoration Center anticipates that 
typical project awards will range from $15,000 to $100,000.
    Statutory Authority: The Secretary of Commerce is authorized under 
the Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act, 33 U.S.C. 1901 
et seq., to award grants, enter into cooperative agreements with 
appropriate officials of other Federal agencies and agencies of States 
and political subdivisions of States and with public and private 
entities, and provide other financial assistance to eligible recipients 
to educate the public (including recreational boaters, fishermen, and 
other users of the marine environment) regarding the harmful effects of 
plastic pollution; the need to reduce such pollution; the need to 
recycle plastic materials.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.463 Habitat 
Conservation.
    Application Deadline: Applications for project funding under the 
MDP must be submitted via grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. e.s.t. on October 
12, 2005 or if mailed, postmarked by 11:59 p.m. e.s.t. on October 12, 
2005.
    Address for Submitting Proposals: Applicants should apply through 
https://www.grants.gov. If Internet access is unavailable, paper 
applications should be sent to Christopher D. Doley, Director, NOAA 
Restoration Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East West 
Highway (F/HC3), Silver Spring, MD 20910; ATTN: MDP Project 
Applications.
    Information Contact(s): For further information contact Elizabeth 
Fairey (Liz.Fairey@noaa.gov or 301-713-3459) or Robin Bruckner 
(Robin.Bruckner@noaa.gov or 301-713-0174).
    Eligibility: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher 
education, hospitals, other non-profits, commercial (for profit) 
organizations, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign 
governments, international organizations, State, local and Indian 
tribal governments. Applications from Federal agencies or employees of 
Federal agencies will not be considered.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: 1:1 non-Federal match is encouraged and 
will be considered in the review process, but applicants with less than 
1:1 match will not be disqualified.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
4. Projects To Improve or Amend Coral Reef Fishery Management Plans
    Summary Description: The NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program is 
soliciting applications from the Regional Fishery Management Councils 
for projects to conserve and manage coral reef fishery resources. The 
objectives of this program are to reduce the adverse impacts of fishing 
and other extractive uses within coral reef ecosystems, and incorporate 
conservation and sustainable management measures into existing or new 
Federal fishery management plans (FMPs) for coral reef species. 
Projects must address one or more of the following 7 categories: (1) 
Identification, mapping and characterization of EFH, HAPC, or reef fish 
spawning aggregation sites; (2) monitoring reef fish stocks; (3) 
efforts to reduce overfishing of coral reef resources; (4) 
identification and reduction of adverse effects of fishing gear, 
including the elimination of destructive and habitat-damaging fishing 
practices; (5) assessment of the adequacy of current coral reef fishing 
regulations; (6) education and outreach efforts to recreational and 
commercial fishers; and (7) ecosystem-scale studies and inclusion of 
ecosystem approaches into coral reef FMPs. Priority will be given for 
coral reef activities in the Council's jurisdiction, although 
complementary activities of high conservation value within state waters 
that are fully coordinated with appropriate state, territory or 
commonwealth management authorities are also acceptable. This program 
is part of the Coral Reef Conservation Program under the Coral Reef 
Conservation Act of 2000 and is not intended to support normal Council 
activities or responsibilities. Proposals can include

[[Page 37772]]

the support for a maximum of one full-time equivalent working 
exclusively on Council coral reef conservation activities. Councils may 
submit an application of up to 25 pages that includes a cover sheet, 
project summary, narrative project description, narrative budget 
summary and Federal forms. Selected applicants may be asked to revise 
award objectives, work plans or budgets prior to submission of a final 
application.
    Funding Availability: The total anticipated available funding is 
$1,050,000 with a maximum of $525,000 available for activities in the 
Western Pacific, and a maximum of $525,000 available for activities in 
the South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean. Funding will be 
subject to the availability of Federal appropriations.
    Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 6403.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.441 
Regional Fishery Management Councils.
    Application Deadlines: Applications must be received before 
midnight, eastern standard time, on November 15, 2005. Final revised 
applications must be received before midnight, eastern standard time on 
March 3, 2006.
    Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications should be submitted 
electronically to https://www.grants.gov, or by surface mail to David 
Kennedy, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, Office of Response and 
Restoration, N/ORR, Room 10102, NOAA National Ocean Service, 1305 East-
West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
    Information Contact(s): Andy Bruckner, Office of Habitat 
Conservation, F/HC1, Room 15836, NOAA Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, phone 301-713-3459 extension 190, e-
mail at andy.bruckner@noaa.gov.
    Eligibility: Applicants are limited to the Western Pacific Regional 
Fishery Management Council, the South Atlantic Fishery Management 
Council, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, and the 
Caribbean Fishery Management Council.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: None.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
5. Community-based Habitat Restoration Project Grants
    Summary Description: NMFS is inviting the public to submit 
proposals for available funding to implement grass-roots habitat 
restoration projects that will benefit living marine resources, 
including anadromous fish, under the NOAA Community-based Restoration 
Program (CRP). Projects funded through the CRP will be expected to have 
strong on-the-ground habitat restoration components that provide long-
term ecological habitat improvements for NOAA trust resources as well 
as educational and social benefits for people and their communities. 
Proposals selected for funding through this solicitation will be 
implemented through cooperative agreements.
    Funding Availability: Funding of up to $3,000,000 is expected to be 
available for Community-based Habitat Restoration Project Grants in FY 
2006. The NOAA Restoration Center (RC) anticipates that typical project 
awards will range from $50,000 to $200,000.
    Statutory Authority: The Secretary of Commerce is authorized under 
the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. 661, as amended by 
the Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970, to provide grants or cooperative 
agreements for fisheries habitat restoration.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.463 Habitat 
Conservation.
    Application Deadline: Applications for project funding under the 
CRP must be submitted via grants.gov by 11:59 PM EST, October 12, 2005 
or if mailed, postmarked by 11:59 p.m. e.s.t., October 12, 2005.
    Address for Submitting Proposals: Applicants should apply through 
https://www.grants.gov. If internet access is unavailable, paper 
applications should be sent to Christopher D. Doley, Director, NOAA 
Restoration Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East West 
Highway (F/HC3), Silver Spring, MD 20910-3282; ATTN: CRP Project 
Applications.
    Information Contact(s): Melanie Gange or Robin Bruckner at (301) 
713-0174, or by fax at (301) 713-0184, or by e-mail at 
Melanie.Gange@noaa.gov or Robin.Bruckner@noaa.gov.
    Eligibility: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher 
education, hospitals, other non-profits, commercial (for profit) 
organizations, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign 
governments, international organizations, State, local and Indian 
tribal governments. Applications from Federal agencies or employees of 
Federal agencies will not be considered.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: 1:1 non-Federal match is encouraged, but 
applicants with less than 1:1 match will not be disqualified. The 
nature of the contribution (cash versus in-kind) and the amount/value 
will be considered in the review process.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
6. Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education & Training (B-WET) Program
    Summary Description: The Chesapeake B-WET grant program is a 
competitively based program that supports existing environmental 
education programs, fosters the growth of new programs, and encourages 
the development of partnerships among environmental education programs 
throughout the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed. Funded projects assist 
in meeting the Stewardship and Community Engagement goals of the 
Chesapeake 2000 Agreement. Projects support organizations that provide 
students ``meaningful'' Chesapeake Bay or stream outdoor experiences 
and teachers professional development opportunities in the area of 
environmental education related to the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
    Funding Availability: This solicitation announces that 
approximately $2.2M may be available in FY 2006 in award amounts to be 
determined by the proposals and available funds. Annual funding is 
anticipated to maintain partnerships for up to 3 years duration, but is 
dependant on funding made available by Congress. Applicants are hereby 
given notice that funds have not yet been appropriated for this 
program.
    1. About $1.0M will be for exemplar programs that successfully 
integrate teacher professional development in the Chesapeake Bay 
watershed with in-depth classroom study and outdoor experiences for 
their students.
    2. About $600K will be for proposals that provide opportunities for 
students (K through 12) to participate in ``Meaningful'' Watershed 
Educational Experiences related to Chesapeake Bay.
    3. About $600K will be for proposals that provide opportunities for 
Professional Development in the area of Chesapeake Bay watershed 
education for teachers.
    The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office anticipates that typical awards for 
B-WET Exemplar Programs that successfully integrate teacher 
professional development with in-depth classroom student and outdoor 
experiences for their students will range from $50,000 to $200,000. 
Projects that represent either meaningful watershed educational 
experiences for students or teacher professional development in

[[Page 37773]]

watershed education will range from $10,000 to $100,000.
    Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 661; 15 U.S.C. 1540.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.457; Chesapeake Bay 
Studies, Education.
    Application Deadline: Proposals must be received by 5 p.m. eastern 
time on October 24, 2005.
    Address for Submitting Proposal: Electronic submission: https://
www.grants.gov/. Search using the following Federal Funding Opportunity 
Number: [XXXXXX]. Hard copies may be submitted by postal mail, 
commercial delivery service, or hand-delivery. Proposals being 
submitted in hard copy must be sent to: NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office; 
Education Coordinator; 410 Severn Avenue, Suite 107A; Annapolis, 
Maryland 21403.
    Information Contact(s): Shannon W. Sprague, NOAA Chesapeake Bay 
Office, 410 Severn Avenue, Suite 107A, Annapolis, MD 2140. 
Shannon.Sprague@noaa.gov or 410-267-5664.
    Eligibility: Eligible applicants are K-through-12 public and 
independent schools and school systems, institutions of higher 
education, community-based and nonprofit organizations, State or local 
government agencies, interstate agencies, and Indian tribal governments 
in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: No cost sharing is required under this 
program, however, the NCBO strongly encourages applicants applying for 
either area of interest 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 consideration in 
the review process. Priority selection will be given to proposals that 
propose cash rather than in-kind contributions.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
7. FY06 Western Pacific Demonstration Projects
    Project Summary: NMFS is soliciting applications for financial 
assistance for Western Pacific Demonstration Projects. Eligible 
applicants are encouraged to submit projects intended to foster and 
promote use of traditional indigenous fishing practices and/or develop 
or enhance Western Pacific community-based fishing opportunities 
benefiting 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 proposals.
    Funding Availability: Total funding available is anticipated to be 
approximately $500,000. It is anticipated that 3 to 5 awards will be 
made for each fiscal year covered by this notice.
    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.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.452, Unallied Industry 
Projects.
    Application Deadline: Project proposals and completed grant 
applications must be postmarked or received by 5 p.m. Hawaii standard 
time on October 28, 2005. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply 
electronically at https://www.grants.gov.
    Address for Submitting Proposals: Project proposals and grant 
applications must be sent to: the Federal Program Officer for Western 
Pacific Demonstration Projects, Pacific Islands Region, National Marine 
Fisheries Service, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1110, Honolulu, 
Hawaii 96814.
    Information Contacts: Scott W.S. Bloom (NMFS) at 808-973-2937, or 
by e-mail at Scott.Bloom@noaa.gov; or Charles Ka'ai'ai (Council), 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); and 
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, 
18513).
    Cost Sharing Requirements: None.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs''.
8. MARFIN Fisheries Initiative Program (MARFIN) FY 2006
    Summary Description: The NMFS Southeast Regional Office is inviting 
the public to submit research and development projects that will 
optimize the use of fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico and off the South 
Atlantic states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida 
involving the U.S. fishing industry (recreational and commercial), 
including fishery biology, resource assessment, socioeconomic 
assessment, management and conservation, selected harvesting methods, 
and fish handling and processing. Proposals may be selected for funding 
for up to three years through a cooperative agreement.
    Funding Availability: Approximately $2.5 million may be available 
in fiscal year (FY) 2006 for projects. This amount includes possible 
in-house projects. The NMFS Southeast Regional Office anticipates that 
typical project awards will range from $35,000 to $300,000. The average 
award is $108,000.
    Statutory Authority: 15 U.S.C. 713c-3(d).
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.433 Marine Fisheries 
Initiative.
    Application Deadline: We must receive your application by close of 
business (5 p.m. eastern daylight time) on August 15, 2005. 
Applications received after that time will not be considered for 
funding.
    Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications should be submitted 
through https://www.grants.gov. If an applicant does not have Internet 
access, hard copies should be sent to the National Marine Fisheries 
Service, State/Federal Liaison Branch, 263 13th Avenue South, St. 
Petersburg, FL 33701.
    Information Contact: Scot Plank, State/Federal Liaison Branch at 
(727) 824-5324.
    Eligibility: Eligible applicants include Institutions of higher 
education, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, State, local and 
Indian tribal governments. Federal agencies or institutions are not 
eligible. Foreign governments, organizations under the jurisdiction of 
foreign governments, and international organizations are excluded for 
purposes of this solicitation since the objective of the MARFIN program 
is to optimize research and development benefits from U.S. marine 
fishery resources.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: Cost-sharing is not required.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''

[[Page 37774]]

9. Cooperative Research Program (CRP) FY 2006
    Summary Description: The NMFS Southeast Regional Office is inviting 
the public to submit research and development projects that seek to 
increase and improve the working relationship between researchers from 
the NMFS, state fishery agencies, universities, and fishermen. The 
program is a means of involving commercial and recreational fishermen 
in the collection of fundamental fisheries information. Collection 
efforts support the development and evaluation of management and 
regulatory options. Projects accepted for funding will need to be 
completed within 24 months.
    Funding Availability: Approximately $2.0 million may be available 
in fiscal year 2006 for projects. The NMFS Southeast Regional Office 
anticipates that typical project awards will range from $40,000 to 
$475,000. The average award is $190,000.
    Statutory Authority: 15 U.S.C. 713c-3(d).
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.454 Unallied Management 
Projects.
    Application Deadline: We must receive your application by 5 p.m. 
eastern daylight time on August 29, 2005. Applications received after 
that time will not be considered for funding.
    Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications should be submitted 
through https://www.grants.gov. If an applicant does not have Internet 
access, hard copies should be sent to the National Marine Fisheries 
Service, State/Federal Liaison Branch, 263 13th Avenue South, St. 
Petersburg, FL 33701.
    Information Contact: Scot Plank, State/Federal Liaison Branch at 
(727) 824-5324.
    Eligibility: Eligible applicants include Institutions of higher 
education, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, state, local and 
Indian tribal governments and individuals. Federal agencies or 
institutions are not eligible. Foreign governments, organizations under 
the jurisdiction of foreign governments, and international 
organizations are excluded for purposes of this solicitation since the 
objective of the CRP is to optimize research and development benefits 
from U.S. marine fishery resources. Applicants who are not commercial 
or recreational fisherman must have commercial or recreational 
fishermen participating in their project. There must be a written 
agreement with a fisherman describing the involvement in the project 
activity. All applicants must include a written agreement with a person 
employed by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), who will act 
as a partner in the proposed research project. The NMFS partner will 
assist the applicant to develop a design (statistical or analytical) 
for the project to assure that the outcome will provide suitable, 
scientific data and results to support needed fisheries management 
information.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: Cost-sharing is not required.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
10. North Atlantic Right Whale Research Programs
    Summary Description: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 
is soliciting applications for Federal assistance under the North 
Atlantic Right Whale Grant Program (RWGP). Under the RWGP, NMFS 
provides financial assistance to eligible researchers working within 
waters inhabited by North Atlantic right whales and submitting 
applications pertaining only to this species. Applications must fall 
within at least one of the following 9 categories: (1) Detection and 
tracking of right whales; (2) Behavior of right whales in relation to 
ships; (3) Relationships between vessel speed, size or design with 
whale collisions; (4) Modeling of ship traffic along the Atlantic 
coast; (5) Population monitoring and assessment studies; (6) 
Reproduction, health and genetic studies; (7) Development of a 
Geographic Information System database or other system designed to 
investigate predictive modeling of right whale distribution in relation 
to environmental variables; (8) Habitat quality studies including food 
quality and pollutant levels; and (9) Any other work relevant to the 
recovery of North Atlantic right whales.
    Funding Availability: This solicitation announces that a maximum of 
$1.0M may be available for distribution under the FY 2006 RWRGP. 
Applicants are hereby given notice that funds have not yet been 
appropriated for this program. The exact amount of funds that may be 
awarded will be determined in pre-award negotiations between the 
applicant and NOAA representatives. Publication of this notice does not 
oblige NOAA to award any specific project or to obligate any available 
funds. There is no set minimum or maximum amount for any award, and 
there is no limit on the number of applications that can be submitted 
by the same researcher during the 2006 competitive grant cycle. Note 
that in FY 2004, the last year in which there was a competition in this 
program, 15 awards were made, with a range of $35,000 to $200,000 per 
year. If an application for a financial assistance award is selected 
for funding, NOAA/NMFS has no obligation to provide any additional 
funding in connection with that award in subsequent years.
    Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1380.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: 11.472, Unallied Science 
Program.
    Application Deadline: The application package must be postmarked by 
5 p.m. EST August 1, 2005.
    Address for Submitting Proposals: Proposals should be submitted 
through https://www.grants.gov. Search using the following funding 
opportunity  NMFS-NEFSC-2005-2000252. Applicants without 
Internet access can submit proposals to Kelly Taranto, NMFS, Northeast 
Fisheries Science Center, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543. Mark 
the proposal: ``Attention-Right Whale Research Grant Program.''
    Information Contact(s): Dr. Richard Pace, Northeast Fisheries 
Science Center, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543, 508 495-2316, 
e-mail rightwhalegrants@noaa.gov.
    Eligibility: Eligible applicants are individuals, institutions of 
higher education, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, 
international organizations, foreign governments, organizations under 
the jurisdiction of foreign governments, and state, local and Indian 
tribal governments. Federal agencies, or employees of Federal agencies 
are not eligible to apply.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: None.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
11. General Coral Reef Conservation
    Summary Description: The NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program is 
soliciting proposals to support conservation projects for coral reef 
ecosystems of the United States and the Freely Associated States in the 
Pacific (Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and 
the Federated States of Micronesia). This program is part of the Coral 
Reef Conservation Program under the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 
2000, which provides matching grants of financial assistance for coral 
reef conservation projects that: (1) Help preserve, sustain and restore 
the condition of coral reef ecosystems, (2) promote the wise

[[Page 37775]]

management and sustainable use of coral reef resources, (3) increase 
public knowledge and awareness of coral reef ecosystems and issues 
regarding their conservation and (4) develop sound scientific 
information on the condition of coral reef ecosystems and the threats 
to such ecosystems. Projects must address one of the following 7 
categories: Coral reef monitoring and assessment; socio-economic 
assessments and resource valuation; marine protected areas and 
associated management activities; coral reef fisheries management and 
enforcement; coral reef restoration; public education and outreach; and 
local action strategy implementation. Research activities are eligible 
only if they directly relate to management or are listed as a project 
within a local action strategy. Interested applicants should submit an 
application of up to 25 pages that includes a cover sheet, project 
summary, narrative project description, narrative budget summary, CV, 
letter(s) of support and Federal forms.
    Funding Availability: Total anticipated available funding is 
$600,000, of which up to $100,000 is for specific local action strategy 
projects with the remainder divided approximately equally among the 
other 6 categories. Individual awards in the form of grants can range 
from $15,000 to a maximum of $50,000. Applications for awards for more 
than $50,000 will not be accepted. Funding will be subject to the 
availability of federal appropriations.
    Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 6403.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.463 
Habitat Conservation.
    Application Deadline: Applications are due to NOAA before midnight, 
eastern standard time, November 15, 2005. Final revised applications 
must be received no later than midnight, eastern standard time. March 
3, 2006. Proposals received after these deadlines will not be accepted.
    Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications should be submitted 
electronically to https://www.grants.gov, or by surface mail to David 
Kennedy, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, Office of Response and 
Restoration, N/ORR, Room 10102, NOAA National Ocean Service, 1305 East 
West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
    Information Contact(s): Andy Bruckner, Office of Habitat 
Conservation, F/HC1, Room 15836, NOAA Fisheries Service, 1315 East West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, phone 301-713-3459 extension 190, e-
mail at andy.bruckner@noaa.gov.
    Eligibility: Eligible applicants include institutions of higher 
education, non-profit organizations, commercial organizations, Freely 
Associated State government agencies, and local and Indian tribal 
governments. U.S. Federal, State, Territory, and Commonwealth 
government agencies are not eligible under this program.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: 1:1 non-federal match is required. The 
NOAA Administrator may waive all or part of the matching requirement if 
the Administrator determines that the project meets the following two 
requirements: (1) No reasonable means are available through which an 
applicant can meet the matching requirement, an