Availability of Grant Funds for Fiscal Year 2007, 33898-33929 [06-5225]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 112 (Monday, June 12, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33898-33929]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-5225]



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Part IV





Department of Commerce





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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration



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Availability of Grant Funds for Fiscal Year 2007; Notice

Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 112 / Monday, June 12, 2006 / 
Notices

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 030602141-6143-38; I.D. 051906D]
RIN 0648-ZB55


Availability of Grant Funds for Fiscal Year 2007

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration publishes 
this notice to provide the general public with a consolidated source of 
program and application information related its competitive grant and 
cooperative agreement (CA) award offerings for fiscal year (FY) 2007. 
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 subsequent Federal 
Register notices. All announcements will also be available through the 
Grants.gov website.
    In addition, this notice announces information related to a non-
competitive financial assistance project to be administered by NOAA. 
This project will award federal financial assistance to the National 
Undersea Research Center at the University of Hawaii to administer 
competitive coral reef research grant programs for the Caribbean, 
Southeastern United States, Florida, the Gulf of Mexico, Hawaii and the 
Western Pacific.

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

ADDRESSES: Proposals must be submitted to the addresses listed in the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice for each program. The 
FR and Full Funding Opportunity (FFO) notices may be found on the 
Grants.gov Web site. The URL for Grants.gov is https://www.grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please contact the person listed 
within this notice as the information contact under each program.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Applicants must comply with all requirements 
contained in the FFO announcements for each of the programs listed in 
this omnibus notice. These FFOs are available at https://www.grants.gov.
    The list of entries below describe the basic information and 
requirements for competitive grant/cooperative agreement programs 
offered by NOAA. These programs are open to any applicant who meets the 
eligibility criteria provided in each entry. To be considered for an 
award in a competitive grant/cooperative agreement program, an eligible 
applicant must submit a complete and responsive application to the 
appropriate program office. An award is made upon conclusion of the 
evaluation and selection process for the respective program.

NOAA Project Competitions

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

National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service

    1. Research in Satellite Data Assimilation for Numerical Weather, 
Climate, and Environmental Forecast Systems.

National Marine Fisheries Service

    1. Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside Program FY 2007
    2. Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education & Training (B-WET) Program
    3. Community-based Habitat Restoration National and Regional 
Partnerships
    4. Community-based Habitat Restoration Project Grants
    5. Community-based Marine Debris Prevention and Removal Project 
Grants
    6. Cooperative Research Program FY 2007
    7. NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program - General Coral Reef 
Conservation Grants
    8. Implementation of Marine Protected Areas, Southern California 
Coast
    9. John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program
    10. MARFIN Fisheries Initiative Program (MARFIN) FY 2007
    11. Monkfish Research Set-Aside Program
    12. Montrose Settlements Restoration Program Outreach and Education 
Mini-grants
    13. National Estuarine Research Reserves System FY 2007 Land 
Acquisition and Construction Competitive Program
    14. Projects to Improve or Amend Coral Reef Fishery Management 
Plans Grant Program
    15. Protected Species Cooperative Conservation
    16. Restoration of Full Tidal Exchange Wetlands, Southern 
California Coast

National Ocean Service

    1. California Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program- 
Meaningful Watershed Experiences for San Francisco, Monterey, and Santa 
Barbara
    2. Bay Watershed Education and Training-B-WET Hawaii
    3. FY 2007 Climate and Weather Impacts on Society and the 
Environment (CWISE), FY 2007
    4. Coastal Hypoxia Research Program (CHRP)
    5. Reef Ecosystem Studies (CRES)
    6. Cumulative Impacts of Multiple Stressors (MultiStress)
    7. Information Resource Supporting the Resiliency of Coastal Areas 
in the US Portion of the Gulf of Mexico
    8. Monitoring and Event Response for Harmful Algal Blooms (MERHAB)
    9. NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program - International Coral 
Reef Conservation Grants
    10. NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program - State and 
Territory Coral Reef Ecosystem Monitoring Grant
    11. NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program - State and 
Territory Coral Reef Management Grants

National Weather Service

    1. Automated Flood Warning Systems (AFWS) Program
    2. Collaborative Science, Technology, and Applied Research (CSTAR) 
Program
    3. Hydrologic Research

Oceans and Atmospheric Research

    1. Administration of NOAA's Graduate Sciences Program
    2. Administration of NOAA's Undergraduate Scholarship Program
    3. Ballast Water Technology Demonstration Program Competitive 
Funding Announcement (Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation 
Facility)
    4. Ballast Water Technology Demonstration Program Competitive 
Funding Announcement (Treatment Technology Demonstration Projects)
    5. Joint Hurricane Testbed
    6. National Sea Grant College Program Aquatic Invasive Species 
Research and Outreach
    7. NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration Announcement of Opportunity, FY 
2007
    8. Sea Grant - The Gulf of Mexico Oyster Industry Program (GOIP)
    9. Sea Grant - Oyster Disease Research Program (ODRP)

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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)

Ocean and Atmospheric Research

    1. GradFell 2008 Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship 
(Knauss Fellowship Program)
    2. GradFell 2007 NMFS - Sea Grant Joint Graduate Fellowship Program 
in Marine Resource Economics
    3. Gradfell 2007 NMFS - Sea Grant Joint Graduate Fellowship Program 
in Population Dynamics
Non-Competitive Projects Announcement
    The entry below provides information for a non-competitive project 
administered by NOAA. To receive an award for this project, an eligible 
applicant must submit a complete and responsive application to the 
appropriate program office. An award is made upon conclusion of the 
evaluation and selection process for the respective project.

Oceans and Atmospheric Research

    1. NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program - Coral Reef 
Ecosystem Research Grants

NOAA Mission Goals

    The mission of the agency is to understand and predict changes in 
the Earth's environment and conserve and manage coastal and marine 
resources to meet our Nation's economic, social, and environmental 
needs. Below is a listing of the program solicitations that generally 
fall under one or more areas of NOAA's strategic plan, i.e., mission 
goals. It is imperative that potential applicants tie their proposals 
to one of the mission goals. Program solicitations are provided from 
each of the five operating units within NOAA.

NOAA Project Competitions listed by NOAA Mission Goals

1. Protect, restore and manage the use of coastal and ocean resources 
through ecosystem-based management.
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: Coastal areas are among the most developed in 
the Nation. More than half the population lives on less than one-fifth 
of the land in the contiguous United States. Furthermore, employment in 
near shore areas is growing three times faster than population. Coastal 
and marine waters support over 28 million jobs and provide a tourism 
destination for nearly 90 million Americans a year. The value of the 
ocean economy to the United States is over $115 billion. The value 
added annually to the national economy by the commercial and 
recreational fishing industry alone is over $48 billion. U.S. 
aquaculture sales total almost $1 billion annually. With its Exclusive 
Economic Zone of 3.4 million square miles, the United States manages 
the largest marine territory of any nation in the world. Funded 
proposals should help achieve the following outcomes:
    A. Healthy and productive coastal and marine ecosystems that 
benefit society; and
    B. A well-informed public that acts as a steward of coastal and 
marine ecosystems
    Program Names:
    1. 2007 Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside Program
    2. Community-based Habitat Restoration Project Grants
    3. Community-based Habitat Restoration National and Regional 
Partnerships
    4. Cooperative Research Program FY 2007
    5. Marfin Fisheries Initiative Program (MARFIN) FY 2007
    6. Monkfish Research Set-Aside Program
    7. Montrose Settlements Restoration Program Outreach and Education 
Mini-grants
    8. Projects to Improve or Amend Coral Reef Fishery Management Plans 
Grant Program
    9. Restoration of Full Tidal Exchange Wetlands, Southern California 
Coast
    10. Implementation of Marine Protected Areas, Southern California 
Coast
    11. Protected Species Cooperative Conservation
    12. Community-based Marine Debris Prevention and Removal Project 
Grants
    13. NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program - General Coral Reef 
Conservation Grants
    14. John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program
    15. Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education & Training (B-WET) Program
    16. Coastal Hypoxia Research Program (CHRP)
    17. Coral Reef Ecosystem Studies (CRES)
    18. Cumulative Impacts of Multiple Stressors (MultiStress)
    19. Monitoring and Event Response for Harmful Algal Blooms (MERHAB)
    20. NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program - State and 
Territory Coral Reef Ecosystem Monitoring Grant
    21. NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program - State and 
Territory Coral Reef Management Grant
    22. NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program - International 
Coral Reef Conservation Grant
    23. California Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) 
Program- Meaningful Watershed Experiences for San Francisco, Monterey, 
and Santa Barbara
    24. Bay Watershed Education and Training-B-WET Hawaii
    25. Ballast Water Technology Demonstration Program Competitive 
Funding Announcement (Treatment Technology Demonstration Projects)
    26. National Sea Grant College Program Aquatic Invasive Species 
Research and Outreach
    27. Grant - The Gulf of Mexico Oyster Industry Program (GOIP)
    28. Sea Grant - Oyster Disease Research Program (ODRP)
    29. NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration Announcement of Opportunity, 
FY 2007
    30. National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) Graduate Research 
Fellowship Program (GRF)
    31. GradFell 2008 Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship 
(Knauss Fellowship Program)
    32. GradFell 2007 NMFS - Sea Grant Joint Graduate Fellowship 
Program in Marine Resource Economics
    33. Gradfell 2007 NMFS - Sea Grant Joint Graduate Fellowship 
Program in Population Dynamics
    34. National Estuarine Research Reserves System FY 2007 Land 
Acquisition and Construction Competitive Program
2. Understand climate variability and change to enhance society's 
ability to plan and respond.
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: Climate shapes the environment, natural 
resources, economies, and social systems that people depend upon 
worldwide. While humanity has learned to contend with some aspects of 
climate's natural variability, major climatic events, combined with the 
stresses of population growth, economic growth, public health concerns, 
and land-use practices, can impose serious consequences on society. The 
1997-98 El Nino, for example, had a $25 billion impact on the U.S. 
economy - property losses were $2.6 billion and crop losses approached 
$2 billion. Long-term drought leads to increased and competing demands 
for fresh water with related effects on terrestrial and marine 
ecosystems, agricultural productivity, and even the spread of 
infectious diseases. Decisions about mitigating

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climate change also can alter economic and social structures on a 
global scale. We can deliver reliable climate information in useful 
ways to help minimize risks and maximize opportunities for decisions in 
agriculture, public policy, natural resources, water and energy use, 
and public health. We continue to move toward developing a seamless 
suite of weather and climate products. The Climate Goal addresses 
predictions on time scales of up to decades or longer.
    Funded proposals should help achieve the following outcomes:
    A. A predictive understanding of the global climate system on time 
scales of weeks to decades with quantified uncertainties sufficient for 
making informed and reasoned decisions; and
    B. Climate-sensitive sectors and the climate-literate public 
effectively incorporating NOAA's climate products into their plans and 
decisions.
    Program Names:
    1. FY 2007 Climate and Weather Impacts on Society and the 
Environment (CWISE)
3. Serve society's needs for weather and water information.
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: Floods, droughts, hurricanes, tornadoes, 
tsunamis, wildfires, and other severe weather events cause $11 billion 
in damages each year in the United States. Weather is directly linked 
to public health and safety, and nearly one-third of the U.S. economy 
(about $3 trillion) is sensitive to weather and climate. With so much 
at stake, NOAA's role in understanding, observing, forecasting, and 
warning of environmental events is expanding. With our partners, we 
seek to provide decision makers with key observations, analyses, 
predictions, and warnings for a range of weather and water conditions, 
including those related to water supply, air quality, space weather, 
and wildfires. Businesses, governments, and non-governmental 
organizations are getting more sophisticated about how to use this 
weather and water information to improve operational efficiencies, to 
manage environmental resources, and to create a better quality of life. 
On average, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, and other severe weather 
events cause $11 billion in damages per year. Weather, including space 
weather, is directly linked to public safety and about one-third of the 
U.S. economy (about $3 trillion) is weather sensitive. With so much at 
stake, NOAA's role in observing, forecasting, and warning of 
environmental events is expanding, while economic sectors and its 
public are becoming increasingly sophisticated at using NOAA's weather, 
air quality, and water information to improve their operational 
efficiencies and their management of environmental resources, and 
quality of life.
    Funded proposals should help achieve the following outcomes:
    A. Reduced loss of life, injury, and damage to the economy;
    B. Better, quicker, and more valuable weather and water information 
to support improved decisions; and
    C. Increased customer satisfaction with weather and water 
information and services.
    Program Names:
    1. FY2007 Information Resource Supporting the Resiliency of Coastal 
Areas in the US Portion of the Gulf of Mexico
    2. Automated Flood Warning Systems (AFWS) Program
    3. Collaborative Science, Technology, and Applied Research (CSTAR) 
Program
    4. Hydrologic Research
    5. Joint Hurricane Testbed
4. Support the Nation's commerce with information for safe, efficient, 
and environmentally sound transportation.
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: Safe and efficient transportation systems are 
crucial to the U.S. economy. The U.S. marine transportation system 
ships over 95 percent of the tonnage and more than 20 percent by value 
of foreign trade through U.S. ports, including 48 percent of the oil 
needed to meet America's energy demands. At least $4 billion is lost 
annually due to economic inefficiencies resulting from weather-related 
air-traffic delays. Improved surface weather forecasts and specific 
user warnings would reduce the 7,000 weather related fatalities and 
800,000 injuries that occur annually from crashes on roads and 
highways. The injuries, loss of life, and property damage from weather-
related crashes cost an average of $42 billion annually.
    We provide information, services, and products for transportation 
safety and for increased commerce on roads, rails, and waterways. We 
will improve the accuracy of our information for marine, aviation, and 
surface weather forecasts, the availability of accurate and advanced 
electronic navigational charts, and the delivery of real-time 
oceanographic information. We seek to provide consistent, accurate, and 
timely positioning information that is critical for air, sea, and 
surface transportation. We will respond to hazardous material spills 
and provide search and rescue routinely to save lives and money and to 
protect the coastal environment. We will work with port and coastal 
communities and with Federal and state partners to ensure that port 
operations and development proceed efficiently and in an 
environmentally sound manner. We will work with the Federal Aviation 
Administration and the private sector to reduce the negative impacts of 
weather on aviation without compromising safety. Because of increased 
interest by the public and private sectors, we also will expand weather 
information for marine and surface transportation to enhance safety and 
efficiency.
    Funded proposals should help achieve the following outcomes:
    A. Safe, secure, efficient, and seamless movement of goods and 
people in the U.S. transportation system; and
    B. Environmentally sound development and use of the U.S. 
transportation system.
    Program Names:
    1. Ballast Water Technology Demonstration Program Competitive 
Funding Announcement (Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation 
Facility)
    2. Ballast Water Technology Demonstration Program Competitive 
Funding Announcement (Treatment Technology Demonstration Projects)
5. Provide critical support for NOAA's mission
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: Strong, effective, and efficient support 
activities are necessary for us to achieve our Mission Goals. Our 
facilities, ships, aircraft, environmental satellites, data-processing 
systems, computing and communication systems, and our approach to 
management provide the foundation of support for all of our programs. 
This critical foundation must adapt to evolving mission needs and, 
therefore, is an integral part of our strategic planning. It also must 
support U.S. homeland security by maintaining continuity of operations 
and by providing NOAA services, such as civil alert relays through NOAA 
Weather Radio and air dispersion forecasts, in response to national 
emergencies.
    NOAA ships, aircraft, and environmental satellites are the backbone 
of the global Earth observing system and provide many critical mission 
support services. To keep this capability strong and current with our 
Mission Goals, we will ensure that NOAA has adequate access to safe and 
efficient ships and aircraft through the use of both NOAA platforms and 
those of other agency, academic, and commercial partners. We will work 
with academia and partners in the public and private sectors to ensure 
that future satellite systems are designed,

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developed, and operated with the latest technology.
    Leadership development and program support are essential for 
achieving our Mission Goals. We must also commit to organizational 
excellence through management and leadership across a ``corporate'' 
NOAA. We must continue our commitment to valuing NOAA's diverse 
workforce, including effective workforce planning strategies designed 
to attract, retain and develop competencies at all levels of our 
workforce. Through the use of business process reengineering, we will 
strive for state-of-the-art, value-added financial and administrative 
processes. NOAA will ensure state-of-the-art and secure information 
technology and systems. By developing long-range, comprehensive 
facility planning processes NOAA will be able to ensure right-sized, 
cost-effective, and safe facilities.
    Funded proposals should help achieve the following outcomes:
    A. A dynamic workforce with competencies that support NOAA's 
mission today and in the future.
    Program Names:
    1. Administration of NOAA's Graduate Sciences Program
    2. Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program; Financial Assistance for 
Graduate Students
    3. Gradfell 2007 NMFS - Sea Grants Joint Graduate Fellowship 
Program in Population Dynamics
Non-Competitive Projects Announcement
    1. Protect, restore and manage the use of coastal and ocean 
resources through ecosystem-based management. See SUMMARY DESCRIPTION 
above.
1. NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program - Coral Reef Ecosystem 
Research Grants

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 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.

Get Started Step 1 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 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 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 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 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.

Electronic Application File Format and Naming Conventions

    After the initial grant application package has been submitted to 
NOAA (e.g., via Grants.gov), requests for additional or modified forms 
may be requested by NOAA. Applicants should resubmit forms in Portable 
Document File Format (PDF) and follow the following file naming 
convention to name resubmitted forms. For example: 98042--SF-424--
mmddyy--v2.pdf.
(1) 98042 = Proposal  (provided to applicant by Grants.gov 
&NOAA)
(2) SF-424 = Form Number
(3) mmddyy = Date
(4) v2 = Version Number
    To learn how to convert documents to PDF go to: https://
www.grants.gov/assets/PDFConversion.pdf.

Evaluation Criteria and 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,

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an initial administrative review is conducted to determine compliance 
with requirements and completeness of the application. 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. 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. No 
consensus advice shall be provided by either merit review group if 
there are any non-Federal members. 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 Data Assimilation for Numerical Weather, 
Climate, and Environmental Forecast Systems.
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: The National Environmental Satellite, Data, 
and Information Service (NESDIS), Office of Research and Applications 
(ORA) and 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, Climate, and 
Environmental Forecast Systems. 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, ocean 
mesoscale, and other environmental forecasts, improving seasonal to 
interannual climate forecasts, and increasing the physical accuracy of

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climate reanalysis. 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 strive to 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 weather, ocean mesoscale, climate, and environmental 
prediction environments, improve community radiative transfer models 
and surface emissivity models, improve characterization of the error 
covariances related to forecast models, radiative transfer models and 
satellite observations, and advance data assimilation science. The 
program priorities for this opportunity support NOAA's mission support 
goal of: Weather and Water - Serve Society's Needs for Weather and 
Water Information.
    FUNDING AVAILABILITY: The total amount available for proposals is 
anticipated to be approximately $600,000 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 $150,000 per year for no 
more than three years, although greater amounts may be awarded. It is 
anticipated that 4-6 awards will be made.
    STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Statutory authority for this program is 
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.
    APPLICATION DEADLINE: Letters of Intent (LOI) must be received no 
later than 5 p.m. eastern daylight time, August 11, 2006, and full 
proposals must be received by NOAA/NESDIS no later than 5 p.m. eastern 
daylight time, October 2, 2006.
    ADDRESS FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSALS: Letters of Intent should be 
emailed to James.G.Yoe@noaa.gov or may be mailed or faxed to the JSCDA. 
Proposals must be submitted electronically via https://www.grants.gov, 
or as hard copy (by postal mail, commercial delivery service, or hand 
delivery) to: ATTN: James G. Yoe, NOAA/NESDIS Joint Center for 
Satellite Data Assimilation, 5200 Auth Rd., Room 808, Camp Springs, MD 
20746.
    INFORMATION CONTACTS: Administrative questions: Ms. Patty Mayo, by 
phone at 301-763-8127 ext. 107, fax: 301-763-8108, or e-mail: 
Patty.Mayo@noaa.gov. Technical questions: James G. Yoe (NOAA Program 
Officer), by phone at 301-763-8172 ext. 186, fax to 301-763-8149, or 
via e-mail: James.G.Yoe@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. PLEASE NOTE: Before non-NOAA Federal applicants may be funded, 
they must demonstrate that they have legal authority to receive funds 
from another Federal agency in excess of their appropriation. The only 
exception to this is governmental research facilities for awards issued 
under the authority of 49 USC 44720(b). Because this announcement is 
not proposing to procure goods or services from applicants, the Economy 
Act (31 USC 1535) is not an appropriate legal basis.
    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 (NMFS)

1. 2007 Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside Program
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 
requests research proposals for the 2007 scallop fishing year (March 1, 
2007 - February 28, 2008) to utilize portions of the total allowable 
catch (TAC) and Days-at-Sea (DAS) set-asides proposed by the New 
England Fishery Management Council (Council) in Framework 18 to the Sea 
Scallop Fishery Management Plan (Framework 18). The set-asides are to 
be used for sea scallop research endeavors under a research set-aside 
(RSA) program. The RSA Program provides a mechanism to fund research 
through the sale of fish harvested under the research quota. Vessels 
participating in an approved research project may be authorized by the 
Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), 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 compensate participating vessel owners and 
help defray the costs associated with research projects. No Federal 
funds will be provided for research under this notification. The 
program priorities for this opportunity support NOAA's mission support 
goal of: Ecosystems - Protect, Restore, and Manage Use of Coastal and 
Ocean Resources through Ecosystem-Based Management.
    FUNDING AVAILABILITY: In order to set a value on the RSAs, the 
value of scallops must be estimated. This Federal Funding Opportunity 
(FFO) uses an estimated price per pound of $7.25 based on the average 
2005 (March through October) price per pound calculated from dealer 
reports. In addition, based on the Council's analysis in Framework 18, 
the daily catch rate was calculated to be 1,746 lb (792 kg) per DAS. By 
requiring researchers to use these values in requesting TAC and DAS, 
all proposals will relate scallop catch to research costs similarly.
    Research proposals are sought to utilize the four set-asides 
proposed by Framework 18 for the 2007 fishing year. With the value for 
the scallops estimated as $7.25 per lb, the estimated TAC values are 
estimated as follows: (1) The DAS set-aside for the open fishing areas 
is 330 DAS with a value of $4,177,305; (2) the research TAC set-aside 
for the NLS Access Area is 157,454 lb (71 mt), with a value of 
$1,141,542; (3) the research TAC set-aside for the CAI Access Area is 
86,414 lb (39 mt), with a value of $626,502; and (4) the research TAC 
set-aside for the ET Access Area is 544,000 lb (247 mt), with a value 
of $3,944,000. Thus, for fishing year 2007, the total value of the set-
asides available for scallop-related research is approximately 
$9,889,350 (42% from the open area DAS set-aside, 12% from the NLS 
Access Area, 6% from the CAI Access Area and 40% from the ET Access 
Area). Researchers must specify the amount of set-aside (TAC or DAS, as 
appropriate) sought from each area.
    If 2006 scallop resource surveys indicate the exploitable biomass 
in the Elephant Trunk Access Area is lower than current projections, 
Framework 18 proposes three scenarios to reduce the 2007 TAC. If an 
adjustment is necessary, it will be finalized on or about December 1, 
2006.

[[Page 33904]]



               Elephant Trunk Access Area Adjustment Table
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Less than
                                  50.5     50.5 to    63.2 to    Greater
                                million    63.1 mlb   75.7 mlb    than
                                lb (mlb)   (22,920    (28,651   75.8 mlb
                                (22,920   to 28,650  to 34,380   (34,381
                                  mt)        mt)        mt)        mt)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjusted 2007 ET RSA TAC       228,000    346,000    461,000    No
                                lb (103    lb (157    lb (209    adjustm
                                mt)        mt)        mt)        ent
                                                                 544,000
                                                                 lb (247
                                                                 mt)
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Issuing grants is consistent with sections 
303(b)(11), 402(e), and 404(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 1853(b)(11), 16 U.S.C. 
1881a(e), and 16 U.S.C. 1881(c), respectively.
    CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) Number: 11.454, 
Unallied Management Projects
    APPLICATION DEADLINE: Full proposals must be received by 5 p.m., 
eastern daylight time, on August 11, 2006.
    ADDRESS FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSALS: Proposals may be submitted 
electronically via https://www.grants.gov, or as hard copy (by postal 
mail, commercial delivery service, or hand delivery) to NMFS, Northeast 
Regional Office, Attention: 2007 Sea Scallop Research Proposals, One 
Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930.
    INFORMATION CONTACTS: For administrative questions about the 
research set aside program contact Ryan Silva (One Blackburn Drive, 
Gloucester, MA 01930), by phone (978) 281-9326, fax (978) 281-9135, or 
e-mail ryan.silva@noaa.gov. For an application kit contact Rich Maney 
(One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930), by phone (978) 281-9265, 
fax (978) 281-9117, or e-mail rich.maney@noaa.gov. For information on 
the Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (FMP), as it relates 
to this funding opportunity, contact Deirdre Boelke, New England 
Fishery Management Council, phone (978) 465-0492, or Ryan Silva, by 
phone (978) 281-9326, fax (978) 281-9135, or e-mail 
ryan.silva@noaa.gov.
    ELIGIBILITY: 1. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher 
education, hospitals, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, 
individuals, state, local, and Native American tribal governments. 
Federal agencies and institutions are not eligible to receive Federal 
assistance under this notice. Additionally, employees of any Federal 
agency or Regional Fishery Management Council (Council) are ineligible 
to submit an application under this program. However, Council members 
who are not Federal employees may submit an application.
    2. DOC/NOAA supports cultural and gender diversity and encourages 
women and minority individuals and groups to submit applications to the 
RSA program. In addition, DOC/NOAA is strongly committed to broadening 
the participation of historically black colleges and universities, 
Hispanic serving institutions, tribal colleges and universities, and 
institutions that work in underserved areas. DOC/NOAA encourages 
proposals involving any of the above institutions.
    3. DOC/NOAA encourages applications from members of the fishing 
community and applications that involve fishing community cooperation 
and participation.
    COST SHARING REQUIREMENTS: None.
    INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW: Applicants will need to determine if 
their State participates in the intergovernmental review process. This 
information can be found at the following Web site: https://
www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html. This information will assist 
applicants in providing either a Yes or No response to Item 16 of the 
Application Form, SF-424, entitled ``Application for Federal 
Assistance.''
2. 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. Projects funded through the Community-based Restoration 
Program 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 a 
cooperative agreement. The program priorities for this opportunity 
support NOAA's mission support goal of: Ecosystems - Protect, Restore, 
and Manage Use of Coastal and Ocean Resources through Ecosystem-Based 
Management.
    FUNDING AVAILABILITY: Funding of up to $3,000,000 is expected to be 
available for Community-based Habitat Restoration Project Grants in FY 
2007. 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 (CFDA) NUMBER: 11.463 
Habitat Conservation.
    APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications for project funding under the 
Community-based Restoration Program must be submitted by September 28, 
2006 11:59 PM EDT if submitted via grants.gov , or if mailed, 
postmarked by September 28, 2006.
    ADDRESS FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSALS: Applicants should apply through 
https://www.grants.gov. If unable to reasonably apply through 
grants.gov, send paper applications to Christopher D. Doley, Chief, 
NOAA Restoration Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East 
West Highway (F/HC3), Rm. 14727, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3282; ATTN: 
CRP Project Applications.
    INFORMATION CONTACT(S): Cathy Bozek or Melanie Gange at (301) 713-
0174, or by fax at (301) 713-0184, or by e-mail at Cathy.Bozek@noaa.gov 
or Melanie.Gange@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 whose projects have the potential to benefit NOAA 
trust resources. 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.
    INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW: Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''

[[Page 33905]]

3. Community-based Habitat Restoration National and Regional 
Partnerships
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: NMFS is inviting the public to submit multi-
year proposals for establishing innovative habitat restoration 
partnerships at the national or regional level for up to 3 years to 
further community-based habitat restoration that will benefit living 
marine resources, including anadromous fish, under the NOAA Community-
based Restoration Program (CRP). Proposals for partnerships funded 
through the CRP will involve joint selection and co-funding of multiple 
community-based habitat restoration projects as sub-awards made through 
the partner organization. Proposals selected for funding through this 
solicitation will be implemented through a cooperative agreement. The 
program priorities for this opportunity support NOAA's mission support 
goal of: Ecosystems - protect, restore, and manage use of coastal and 
ocean resources through ecosystem-based management.
    FUNDING AVAILABILITY: Funding of up to $10 million is expected to 
be available for establishing multi-year partnerships in FY 2007; 
annual funding is anticipated to maintain successful partnerships for 
up to 3 years duration. The NOAA Restoration Center (RC) anticipates 
that typical partnership awards will range from $200,000 to $600,000 
per year, funded annually.
    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 (CFDA) NUMBER: 11.463 
Habitat Conservation.
    APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications for partnership funding under 
the CRP must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EDT on September 25, 2006 if 
submitted via Grants.gov, or if mailed, postmarked by September 25, 
2006.
    ADDRESS FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSALS: Applicants should apply through 
https://www.grants.gov. If unable to apply through grants.gov, send 
paper applications to Christopher D. Doley, Chief, NOAA Restoration 
Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East West Highway (F/
HC3), Rm. 14701, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3282; ATTN: CRP Partnership 
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 whose projects have the potential to benefit NOAA 
trust resources. Applications from federal agencies will not be 
considered.
    COST SHARING REQUIREMENTS: 1:1 match non-Federal match is 
encouraged, 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. Cooperative Research Program (CRP) FY 2007
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: The NMFS 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. The program priorities for this opportunity support NOAA's 
mission support goal of: Ecosystems - Protect, Restore, and manage Use 
of Coastal and Ocean Resources through Ecosystem-Based Management.
    FUNDING AVAILABILITY: Approximately $2.0 million may be available 
in fiscal year 2007 for projects. The NMFS Southeast Regional Office 
estimates awarding eight awards that will range from $25,000 to 
$400,000. The average award is $150,000.
    STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 15 U.S.C. 713c-3(d).
    CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER: 11.454 
Unallied Management Projects.
    APPLICATION DEADLINE: We must receive your application by 5 p.m. 
eastern daylight time on August 11, 2006. 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: Robert Sadler, 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.
    OTHER INFORMATION: Applicants who are not a commercial or 
recreational fisherman must have commercial or recreational fisherman 
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.''
5. Marfin Fisheries Initiative Program (MARFIN) FY 2007
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: The NMFS 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. The program priorities for this 
opportunity support NOAA's mission support goal of: Ecosystems - 
Protect, Restore, and

[[Page 33906]]

Manage Use of Coastal and Ocean Resources through Ecosystem-Based 
Management.
    FUNDING AVAILABILITY: Approximately $2.4 million may be available 
in fiscal year (FY) 2007 for projects. This amount includes possible 
in-house projects. The NMFS Southeast Regional Office estimates 
awarding ten projects that will range from $35,000 to $300,000. The 
average award is $100,000.
    STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 15 U.S.C. 713c-3(d).
    CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER: 11.433 Marine 
Fisheries Initiative.
    APPLICATION DEADLINE: We must receive your application by close of 
business (5 p.m. eastern daylight time) on July 12, 2006. 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.''
6. Monkfish Research Set-Aside Program
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 
announces that the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management 
Councils (Councils) have set aside 500 monkfish days-at-sea (DAS) to be 
used for research endeavors under a research set-aside (RSA) program. 
NMFS is soliciting proposals to utilize the DAS for research activities 
concerning the monkfish fishery for fishing year 2007 (May 1, 2007-
April 30, 2008). Through the allocation of research DAS, the Monkfish 
RSA Program provides a mechanism to reduce the cost for vessel owners 
to participate in cooperative monkfish research. The intent of this RSA 
program is for fishing vessels to utilize these research DAS to conduct 
monkfish related research, rather than their allocated monkfish DAS, 
thereby eliminating any cost to the vessel associated with using a 
monkfish DAS. The program priorities for this opportunity support 
NOAA's mission support goal of: Ecosystems - Protect, Restore, and 
Manage Use of Coastal and Ocean Resources through Ecosystem-Based 
Management.
    FUNDING AVAILABILITY: No Federal funds are provided for research 
under this notification. Rather, projects funded under the Monkfish RSA 
Program would be provided with additional opportunity to harvest 
monkfish, and the catch sold to generate income to offset research 
costs. The Federal Government (i.e., NMFS) may issue an Exempted 
Fishing Permit (EFP), if needed, to provide special fishing privileges 
in response to research proposals selected under this program. For 
example, vessels participating in an approved research project may be 
authorized by the Northeast Regional Administrator, NMFS, to harvest 
monkfish in excess of established possession limits. Two awards were 
issued under the 2006 Monkfish RSA Program, and these projects are 
expected to commence in May 2006. Therefore, information concerning the 
income generated from those awards is not yet available.
    Funds generated from landings harvested and sold under the Monkfish 
RSA Program shall be used to cover the cost of research activities, 
including vessel costs. For example, the funds may be used to pay for 
gear modifications, monitoring equipment, the salaries of research 
personnel, or vessel operation costs. The Federal Government shall not 
be liable for any costs incurred in the conduct of the project. 
Specifically, the Federal Government is not liable for any costs 
incurred by the researcher or vessel owner should the sale of catch not 
fully reimburse the researcher or vessel owner for his/her expenses.
    STATUTORY AUTHORITY: Issuing grants is consistent with sections 
303(b)(11), 402(e), and 404(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 1853(b)(11), 16 U.S.C. 
1881a(e), and 16 U.S.C. 1881(c), respectively.
    The ability to set aside monkfish DAS for research purposes was 
established in the final rule implementing Amendment 2 to the Monkfish 
Fishery Management Plan (70 FR 21927, April 28, 2005), and codified in 
the regulations at 50 CFR 648.92(c).
    CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE (CFDA) NUMBER: In the 
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance, the program number is 11.454, 
and the program name is Unallied Management Projects.
    APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications must be received on or before 5 
p.m. eastern daylight time on August 11, 2006.
    ADDRESS FOR SUBMITTING PROPOSALS: Proposals must be submitted 
electronically through https://www.grants.gov, or as hard copy (by 
postal mail, commercial delivery service, or hand delivery) to NMFS, 
Northeast Regional Office, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. 
Delays may be experienced when registering with Grants On-line near the 
end of a solicitation period. Therefore, NOAA strongly recommends that 
applicants do not wait until the deadline date to begin the application 
process through https://www.grants.gov. Electronic or hard copies 
received after the deadline will not be considered, and hard copy 
applications will be returned to the sender.
    INFORMATION CONTACTS: Administrative questions: Allison Ferreira, 
Fishery Policy Analyst, NMFS, by phone 978-281-9103, fax 978-281-9135, 
or e-mail at allison.ferreira@noaa.gov. Technical questions: Peter 
Burns, NMFS, Northeast Regional Office, One Blackburn Drive, 
Gloucester, MA 01930, by phone 978-281-92144, fax 978-281-9117, or 
email at peter.burns@noaa.gov.
    ELIGIBILITY: Eligible applicants include institutions of higher 
education, hospitals, other non-profits, commercial organizations, 
individuals, state, local, and Native American tribal governments. 
Federal agencies and institutions are not eligible to receive Federal 
assistance under this notice. Additionally, employees of any Federal 
agency or Regional Fishery Management Council (Council) are ineligible 
to submit an application under this program. However, Council members 
who are not Federal employees may submit an application.
    COST SHARING REQUIREMENTS: None.
    INTERGOVERNMENTAL REVIEW: Applications under ths program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''

[[Page 33907]]

7. Projects to Improve or Amend Coral Reef Fishery Management Plans 
Grant Program
    SUMMARY DESCRIPTION: The NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant 
Program/ Projects to Improve or Amend Coral Reef Fishery Management 
Plans (CRFMPGP), provides funding to the Regional Fishery Management 
Councils for projects to conserve and manage coral reef fisheries, as 
authorized under the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000. Projects 
funded through the CRFMPGP are for activities that 1) provide better 
scientific information on the status of coral reef fisheries resources, 
critical habitats of importance to coral reef fishes, and the impacts 
of fishing on these species and habitats; 2) identify new management 
approaches that protect coral reef biodiversity and ecosystem function 
through regulation of fishing and other extractive uses; and 3) 
incorporate conservation and sustainable management measures into 
existing or new Federal fishery management plans for coral reef 
species. Proposals selected for funding will be implemented through a 
cooperative agreement. The role of NOAA in the CRFMPGP is to help 
identify potential projects that reduce impacts of fishing on coral 
reef ecosystems, strengthen the development and implementation of the 
projects, and assist in coordination and support of these efforts with 
Federal, s