Announcement of Funding Opportunity for Social Science Fellowships in the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, 75712-75714 [E6-21450]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
75712
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 242 / Monday, December 18, 2006 / Notices
Administrative Review in Part, 71 FR
65082 (Nov. 7, 2006) (Final Results). On
November 13, 2006, we received
allegations, timely filed pursuant to 19
CFR 351.224(c)(2), from Colakoglu
Metalurji, A.S. (Colakoglu) and
Ekinciler Demir ve Celik Sanayi A.S./
Ekinciler Dis Ticaret A.S. (Ekinciler),
that the Department made ministerial
errors in its final results. On November
20, 2006, we received comments from
the petitioners (i.e., Gerdau AmeriSteel
Corporation, Commercial Metals
Company, and Nucor Corporation)
rebutting these allegations.
After analyzing the submissions on
this topic, filed by Ekinciler, Colakoglu,
and the petitioners, we have
determined, in accordance with 19 CFR
351.224(e), that we made a ministerial
error in our calculations performed for
the final results for only one of the two
respondents (i.e., Ekinciler).
Specifically, we intended to calculate
general and administrative (G&A)
expenses and financial expenses by: 1)
determining the appropriate ratios; and
2) applying them to the total cost of
manufacturing originally reported by
Ekinciler. However, we inadvertently
included certain unrecognized
depreciation expenses in the total costs
to which the ratios were applied,
thereby overstating the G&A and
financial expenses. Correcting this error
resulted in a revised margin for
Ekinciler. For a detailed discussion of
the ministerial error noted above, the
remaining ministerial error allegations,
and the Department’s analysis, see the
December 12, 2006, memorandum to
James Maeder, Director, Office 2, from
the Team entitled ‘‘Ministerial Error
Allegations in the Final Results of the
Antidumping Duty Administrative
Review on Steel Concrete Reinforcing
Bars from Turkey.’’
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
Amended Final Results of Review
16:16 Dec 15, 2006
Jkt 211001
The Department shall determine, and
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
(CBP) shall assess, antidumping duties
on all appropriate entries. In accordance
with 19 CFR 351.212(b)(1), we have
calculated importer–specific assessment
rates by dividing the dumping margin
found on the subject merchandise
examined by the entered value of such
merchandise. Where the importer–
specific assessment rate is above de
minimis, we will instruct CBP to assess
antidumping duties on that importer’s
entries of subject merchandise. The
Department will issue appropriate
assessment instructions directly to CBP
within 15 days of publication of these
amended final results of review.
Furthermore, the following deposit
requirements will be effective upon
publication of these amended final
results of the administrative review for
shipments of the subject merchandise
entered, or withdrawn from warehouse,
for consumption on or after the
publication date of these amended final
results of administrative review, as
provided by section 751(a) of the Act:
(1) for subject merchandise exported by
Ekinciler the cash deposit rate will be
3.16 percent; (2) for Colakolgu the cash
deposit rate will remain as established
in the Final Results. These deposit
requirements shall remain in effect until
publication of the final results of the
next administrative review.
We are issuing and publishing this
determination and notice in accordance
with sections 751(a)(1) and 777(i)(1) of
the Act.
Dated: December 12, 2006.
David M. Spooner,
Assistant Secretary for Import
Administration.
[FR Doc. E6–21520 Filed 12–15–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–S
After analyzing all interested parties’
comments and rebuttal comments, we
have determined, in accordance with
section 751(h) of the Act and 19 CFR
351.224(e), that the Department has
made a ministerial error in the final
results calculation for Ekinciler in this
administrative review. Therefore, we are
amending the final results of
administrative review of rebar from
Turkey for the period April 1, 2004,
through March 31, 2005. As a result of
correcting the ministerial error
discussed above, Ekinciler’s weighted–
average dumping margin decreased from
8.59 to 3.16 percent. For the remaining
respondents, the weighted–average
dumping margins remain the same. See
Final Results.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
Duty Assessment and Cash Deposit
Requirements
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[Docket Number: 061208325–6325–01]
Announcement of Funding
Opportunity for Social Science
Fellowships in the National Estuarine
Research Reserve System
Estuarine Reserves Division
(ERD), Office of Ocean and Coastal
Resource Management (OCRM),
National Ocean Service (NOS), National
Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
AGENCY:
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Announcement of Funding
Opportunity for Social Science
Fellowships in the National Estuarine
Research Reserve System.
ACTION:
SUMMARY: NOAA’s Estuarine Reserves
Division, in collaboration with NOAA’s
Coastal Services Center and Office of
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research,
Climate Program Office, are offering five
fellowships for masters and doctoral
students to conduct social science
research within the National Estuarine
Research Reserve System. Funds will be
provided to support research projects
that will provide information needed by
reserve management and coastal
management decision-makers, and
improve public awareness and
understanding of estuarine ecosystems
and estuarine management issues (15
CFR 921.50). The amount of each
fellowship is $30,000; at least 30% of
total project cost match is required by
the applicant (i.e. $12,858 match for
$30,000 in federal funds for a total
project cost of $42,858). Minority
students are encouraged to apply. For
detailed descriptions of the reserves and
to view the full funding opportunity,
refer to the NERRS Web site at https://
www.nerrs.noaa.gov or contact the
program staff listed in this
announcement.
DATES: Applicants should submit
application materials through https://
www.Grants.gov no later than 11 p.m.
(EST) on February 1, 2007.
ADDRESSES: The full funding
announcement is available via the
grants.gov Web site at https://
www.grants.gov; via the NERRS Web
site at https://www.nerrs.noaa.gov/
fellowship; or by contacting the program
officials identified below. Applicants
must comply with all requirements
contained in the full funding
opportunity announcement.
Applications preferably should be
submitted electronically at https://
www.grants.gov. If a paper application is
submitted, one original and 4 copies
may be submitted to Attn: Erica Seiden,
NOAA’s Estuarine Reserves Division,
1305 East-West Highway, N/ORM5,
SSMC4, Station 10542, Silver Spring,
MD 20910 and received by 11 p.m.
(EST) on February 1, 2007. Any
proposals received outside of the above
requirements will be sent back to the
applicant without review.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Erica Seiden, ERD, at 301–563–1172 or
via the Internet at
erica.seiden@noaa.gov; or Patricia
Delgado, ERD, at 301–563–1147 or via
the Internet at
patricia.delgado@noaa.gov.
E:\FR\FM\18DEN1.SGM
18DEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 242 / Monday, December 18, 2006 / Notices
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Summary Description
The National Estuarine Research
Reserve System (NERRS) consists of
estuarine areas of the United States and
its territories which are designated and
managed for research and educational
purposes. Each reserve within the
system is chosen to reflect regional
differences and to include a variety of
ecosystem types in accordance with the
classification scheme of the national
program as presented in 15 CFR 921.
Each reserve supports a wide range of
beneficial uses of ecological, economic,
recreational, and aesthetic values which
are dependent upon the maintenance of
a healthy ecosystem. The sites provide
habitats for a wide range of ecologically
and commercially important species of
fish, shellfish, birds, and other aquatic
and terrestrial wildlife. Each reserve has
been designed to ensure its effectiveness
as a conservation unit and as a site for
long-term research and monitoring. As
part of a national system, the reserves
collectively provide an excellent
opportunity to address research
questions and estuarine management
issues of national significance. NOAA’s
Estuarine Reserves Division, in
collaboration with NOAA’s Coastal
Services Center and Office of Oceanic
and Atmospheric Research, Climate
Program Office, are offering fellowships
for masters and doctoral students to
conduct social science research within
the National Estuarine Research Reserve
System. For detailed descriptions of the
reserves and to view the full funding
opportunity, refer to the NERRS Web
site at https://www.nerrs.noaa.gov or
contact the program staff listed in this
announcement.
Funds will be provided to support
social science research projects that will
provide information needed by reserve
management and coastal management
decision-makers, and improve public
awareness and understanding of
estuarine ecosystems and estuarine
management issues 15 CFR 921.50. All
projects must be focused on a National
Estuarine Research Reserve. Proposals
submitted in response to this
announcement should address social,
cultural, economic, or policy aspects
related to one of the following topics:
Community resilience (e.g., individual
and community vulnerability;
resistance, response, and adaptability to
continuous or episodic natural and
anthropogenic stressors; risk
perception); Ecological restoration (e.g.,
human behaviors; advocacy and
volunteerism; responses to social and
ecological change; personal and societal
value orientations); Ecosystem-based
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:16 Dec 15, 2006
Jkt 211001
management (e.g., collaborative
decision-making; motivations or
preferences for resource uses or
management practices; ways in which
people affect or are affected by natural
resource management decisions;
cultural history); Landscape or seascape
change (e.g., current or potential effects
on or threats to the traits, patterns, or
structure of a specific geographic area of
the terrestrial or aquatic environment,
including its biological, physical, and
anthropogenic attributes; population
and demographic change; coastal
urbanization and habitat fragmentation);
or Climate variability and change (e.g.,
sea level rise; extreme weather events;
seasonal or interannual climate
fluctuations; effects on water resources,
living marine resources, agricultural
productivity, delivery of ecosystem
services, or public health and safety).
Funding Availability
Funding is dependent upon FY2007
appropriations. NOAA’s Estuarine
Reserves Division anticipates that 5
fellowships will be competitively
awarded to provide funding to qualified
graduate students whose research
applies to the research focus areas above
at the reserves specified in the full
funding opportunity. Minority students
are encouraged to apply. The amount of
the fellowship is $30,000 for 18 months;
at least 30% of total project cost match
is required by the applicant (i.e. $12,858
match for $30,000 in federal funds for
a total project cost of $42,858). At least
one fellowship will be awarded for a
proposal addressing climate variability
and change.
Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1461
CFDA: 11.420, National Estuarine
Research Reserve Program.
Eligibility
Applicants must be admitted to or
enrolled in a full-time masters or
doctoral program at a U.S. accredited
university in order to be eligible to
apply. Applicants should have
completed a majority of their graduate
course work at the beginning of their
fellowship and have an approved thesis
research program.
Grants are normally distributed to the
graduate student’s institution.
Institutions eligible to receive awards
include institutions of higher education,
other non-profits, commercial
organizations, international
organizations, as well as state, local and
Indian tribal governments. All reserve
staff are ineligible to submit an
application for a fellowship under this
announcement. Funds are expected to
be available on a competitive basis to
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
75713
qualified graduate students for research
focused on a reserve(s) leading to a
graduate degree.
Cost Sharing Requirements
Requested federal funds must be
matched by at least 30 percent of the
TOTAL cost, not the Federal share, of
the project (i.e. $12,858 match for
$30,000 in federal funds for a total
project cost of $42,858). Requested
overhead costs under fellowship awards
are limited to 10% of the federal
amount. Waived institutional overhead
costs may be used as match.
Intergovernmental Review
Applications under this program are
subject to Executive Order 12372,
‘‘Intergovernmental Review of Federal
Programs.’’
Proposal Review and Selection Process
Once a full proposal has been
received by NOAA an initial
administrative review is conducted to
determine compliance with
requirements and completeness of the
application. All proposals will be
evaluated for scientific merit by no less
than three reviewers from the scientific
community. If any of these three
reviewers are non-Federal employees,
consensus advice regarding the
proposals will not be given. The
Estuarine Reserve Division, in
collaboration with NOAA’s Coastal
Services Center and Office of Oceanic
and Atmospheric Research, will oversee
the review process. Efforts are taken to
ensure that conflicts of interest are
avoided. It is permissible for applicants
to suggest those people whom they feel
would have a conflict of interest and
therefore not appropriate to review their
proposal. The merit reviewer’s ratings
are used to produce a rank order of the
proposals. The Selecting Official shall
award in the rank order unless the
proposal is justified to be selected out
of rank order based upon one of the
selection factors identified below. The
Selecting Official makes final
recommendations for award to the
Grants Officer who is authorized to
obligate the funds and execute awards.
Evaluation Criteria
Applicants do not need to address
Evaluation Criteria Nos. 4 and 5 in order
to have a full proposal.
1. Academic record and statement of
career goals and objectives of student
(10 percent)
2. Quality of project and applicability
to program priorities (80 percent)
3. Recommendations and/or
endorsements of student (10 percent)
E:\FR\FM\18DEN1.SGM
18DEN1
75714
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 242 / Monday, December 18, 2006 / Notices
4. Additional relevant experience (0
percent)
5. Financial need of student (0
percent)
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
Selection Factors for Fellowship/
Scholarships/Internships
1. Balance/Distribution of funds:
a. Academic disciplines
b. Types of institutions
c. Geography
2. Availability of funds
3. Program-specific objectives—These
are found in the Full Funding
Opportunity Announcement in sections
I.A and B.
4. Degree in scientific area and type
of degree sought
Further details on evaluation and
selection criteria and procedures
applicable to this notice can be found in
the full funding opportunity
announcement available through https://
www.grants.gov and on the NERRS Web
site https://www.nerrs.noaa.gov/
fellowship.
National Environmental Policy Act
NOAA must analyze the potential
environmental impacts, as required by
the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA), for applicant projects or
proposals which are seeking NOAA
federal funding opportunities. Detailed
information on NOAA compliance with
NEPA can be found at the following
NOAA NEPA Web site: https://
www.nepa.noaa.gov/, including our
NOAA Administrative Order 216–6 for
NEPA, https://www.nepa.noaa.gov/
NAO216_6_TOC.pdf, and the Council
on Environmental Quality
implementation regulations, https://
ceq.eh.doe.gov/nepa/regs/ceq/
toc_ceq.htm.
Consequently, as part of an
applicant’s package, and under their
description of their program activities,
applicants are required to provide
detailed information on the activities to
be conducted, locations, sites, species
and habitat to be affected, possible
construction activities, and any
environmental concerns that may exist
(e.g., the use and disposal of hazardous
or toxic chemicals, introduction of nonindigenous species, impacts to
endangered and threatened species,
aquaculture projects, and impacts to
coral reef systems).
In addition to providing specific
information that will serve as the basis
for any required impact analyses,
applicants may also be requested to
assist NOAA in drafting of an
environmental assessment, if NOAA
determines an assessment is required.
Applicants will also be required to
cooperate with NOAA in identifying
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:16 Dec 15, 2006
Jkt 211001
and implementing feasible measures to
reduce or avoid any identified adverse
environmental impacts of their
proposal. The failure to do so shall be
grounds for the denial of an application.
Pre-Award Notification Requirements
for Grants and Cooperative Agreements
not required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 or
any other law, the analytical
requirements of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) are
inapplicable. Therefore, a regulatory
flexibility analysis has not been
prepared.
The Department of Commerce PreAward Notification Requirements for
Grants and Cooperative Agreements
contained in the Federal Register notice
of December 30, 2004 (69 FR 78389) are
applicable to this solicitation.
Dated: December 12, 2006.
David M. Kennedy,
Director, Office of Ocean and Coastal
Resource Management, National Ocean
Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
[FR Doc. E6–21450 Filed 12–15–06; 8:45 am]
Limitation of Liability
BILLING CODE 3510–08–P
In no event will NOAA or the
Department of Commerce be responsible
for proposal preparation costs if this
initiative fails to receive funding or is
cancelled because of other agency
priorities. Publication of this
announcement does not oblige NOAA to
award any specific project or to obligate
any available funds. Recipients and subrecipients are subject to all Federal
laws, agency policies, regulations and
procedures applicable to Federal
financial assistance awards.
Paperwork Reduction Act
This notification involves collectionof-information requirements subject to
the Paperwork Reduction Act. The use
of Standard Forms 424, 424A, 424B, and
SF–LLL and CD–346 has been approved
by the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) under OMB control
numbers 0348–0043, 0348–0044, 0348–
0040, 0348–0046 and 0605–0001
respectively. Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, no person is required
to respond to, nor shall any person be
subject to a penalty for failure to comply
with, a collection of information subject
to the requirements of the PRA unless
that collection of information displays a
currently valid OMB control number.
Executive Order 12866
It has been determined that this notice
is not significant for purposes of
Executive Order 12866.
Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)
It has been determined that this notice
does not contain policies with
Federalism implications as that term is
defined in Executive Order 13132.
Administrative Procedure Act/
Regulatory Flexibility Act
Prior notice and an opportunity for
public comment are not required by the
Administrative Procedure Act or any
other law for rules concerning public
property, loans, grants, benefits, and
contracts (5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2)). Because
notice and opportunity for comment are
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[I.D. 112206A]
Schedules for Atlantic Shark
Identification Workshops and
Protected Species Safe Handling,
Release, and Identification Workshops
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: NMFS announces Atlantic
Shark Identification Workshops and
Protected Species Safe Handling,
Release, and Identification Workshops
to be held in January, February, and
March of 2007. Additional workshops
will be held throughout 2007 and will
be scheduled at a later date.
The Atlantic Shark Identification
Workshops are mandatory for all
federally permitted Atlantic shark
dealers. As of December 31, 2007, an
Atlantic shark dealer may not receive,
purchase, trade, or barter for Atlantic
shark unless a valid Atlantic Shark
Identification Workshop certificate is on
the premises of each business listed
under the shark dealer permit.
Additionally, after December 31, 2007,
Atlantic shark dealers may not renew a
Federal shark dealer permit unless a
valid Atlantic Shark Identification
Workshop certificate has been
submitted with the permit renewal
application. Atlantic Shark
Identification Workshops will be held
throughout 2007, at no charge to the
participant.
The Protected Species Safe Handling,
Release, and Identification Workshops
are mandatory for vessel owners and
operators who use bottom longline,
pelagic longline, or gillnet gear, and
have also been issued shark or
swordfish limited access permits. Vessel
E:\FR\FM\18DEN1.SGM
18DEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 242 (Monday, December 18, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75712-75714]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-21450]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket Number: 061208325-6325-01]
Announcement of Funding Opportunity for Social Science
Fellowships in the National Estuarine Research Reserve System
AGENCY: Estuarine Reserves Division (ERD), Office of Ocean and Coastal
Resource Management (OCRM), National Ocean Service (NOS), National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Announcement of Funding Opportunity for Social Science
Fellowships in the National Estuarine Research Reserve System.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NOAA's Estuarine Reserves Division, in collaboration with
NOAA's Coastal Services Center and Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric
Research, Climate Program Office, are offering five fellowships for
masters and doctoral students to conduct social science research within
the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. Funds will be provided
to support research projects that will provide information needed by
reserve management and coastal management decision-makers, and improve
public awareness and understanding of estuarine ecosystems and
estuarine management issues (15 CFR 921.50). The amount of each
fellowship is $30,000; at least 30% of total project cost match is
required by the applicant (i.e. $12,858 match for $30,000 in federal
funds for a total project cost of $42,858). Minority students are
encouraged to apply. For detailed descriptions of the reserves and to
view the full funding opportunity, refer to the NERRS Web site at
https://www.nerrs.noaa.gov or contact the program staff listed in this
announcement.
DATES: Applicants should submit application materials through https://
www.Grants.gov no later than 11 p.m. (EST) on February 1, 2007.
ADDRESSES: The full funding announcement is available via the
grants.gov Web site at https://www.grants.gov; via the NERRS Web site at
https://www.nerrs.noaa.gov/fellowship; or by contacting the program
officials identified below. Applicants must comply with all
requirements contained in the full funding opportunity announcement.
Applications preferably should be submitted electronically at
https://www.grants.gov. If a paper application is submitted, one
original and 4 copies may be submitted to Attn: Erica Seiden, NOAA's
Estuarine Reserves Division, 1305 East-West Highway, N/ORM5, SSMC4,
Station 10542, Silver Spring, MD 20910 and received by 11 p.m. (EST) on
February 1, 2007. Any proposals received outside of the above
requirements will be sent back to the applicant without review.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erica Seiden, ERD, at 301-563-1172 or
via the Internet at erica.seiden@noaa.gov; or Patricia Delgado, ERD, at
301-563-1147 or via the Internet at patricia.delgado@noaa.gov.
[[Page 75713]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Summary Description
The National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) consists of
estuarine areas of the United States and its territories which are
designated and managed for research and educational purposes. Each
reserve within the system is chosen to reflect regional differences and
to include a variety of ecosystem types in accordance with the
classification scheme of the national program as presented in 15 CFR
921.
Each reserve supports a wide range of beneficial uses of
ecological, economic, recreational, and aesthetic values which are
dependent upon the maintenance of a healthy ecosystem. The sites
provide habitats for a wide range of ecologically and commercially
important species of fish, shellfish, birds, and other aquatic and
terrestrial wildlife. Each reserve has been designed to ensure its
effectiveness as a conservation unit and as a site for long-term
research and monitoring. As part of a national system, the reserves
collectively provide an excellent opportunity to address research
questions and estuarine management issues of national significance.
NOAA's Estuarine Reserves Division, in collaboration with NOAA's
Coastal Services Center and Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research,
Climate Program Office, are offering fellowships for masters and
doctoral students to conduct social science research within the
National Estuarine Research Reserve System. For detailed descriptions
of the reserves and to view the full funding opportunity, refer to the
NERRS Web site at https://www.nerrs.noaa.gov or contact the program
staff listed in this announcement.
Funds will be provided to support social science research projects
that will provide information needed by reserve management and coastal
management decision-makers, and improve public awareness and
understanding of estuarine ecosystems and estuarine management issues
15 CFR 921.50. All projects must be focused on a National Estuarine
Research Reserve. Proposals submitted in response to this announcement
should address social, cultural, economic, or policy aspects related to
one of the following topics: Community resilience (e.g., individual and
community vulnerability; resistance, response, and adaptability to
continuous or episodic natural and anthropogenic stressors; risk
perception); Ecological restoration (e.g., human behaviors; advocacy
and volunteerism; responses to social and ecological change; personal
and societal value orientations); Ecosystem-based management (e.g.,
collaborative decision-making; motivations or preferences for resource
uses or management practices; ways in which people affect or are
affected by natural resource management decisions; cultural history);
Landscape or seascape change (e.g., current or potential effects on or
threats to the traits, patterns, or structure of a specific geographic
area of the terrestrial or aquatic environment, including its
biological, physical, and anthropogenic attributes; population and
demographic change; coastal urbanization and habitat fragmentation); or
Climate variability and change (e.g., sea level rise; extreme weather
events; seasonal or interannual climate fluctuations; effects on water
resources, living marine resources, agricultural productivity, delivery
of ecosystem services, or public health and safety).
Funding Availability
Funding is dependent upon FY2007 appropriations. NOAA's Estuarine
Reserves Division anticipates that 5 fellowships will be competitively
awarded to provide funding to qualified graduate students whose
research applies to the research focus areas above at the reserves
specified in the full funding opportunity. Minority students are
encouraged to apply. The amount of the fellowship is $30,000 for 18
months; at least 30% of total project cost match is required by the
applicant (i.e. $12,858 match for $30,000 in federal funds for a total
project cost of $42,858). At least one fellowship will be awarded for a
proposal addressing climate variability and change.
Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1461
CFDA: 11.420, National Estuarine Research Reserve Program.
Eligibility
Applicants must be admitted to or enrolled in a full-time masters
or doctoral program at a U.S. accredited university in order to be
eligible to apply. Applicants should have completed a majority of their
graduate course work at the beginning of their fellowship and have an
approved thesis research program.
Grants are normally distributed to the graduate student's
institution. Institutions eligible to receive awards include
institutions of higher education, other non-profits, commercial
organizations, international organizations, as well as state, local and
Indian tribal governments. All reserve staff are ineligible to submit
an application for a fellowship under this announcement. Funds are
expected to be available on a competitive basis to qualified graduate
students for research focused on a reserve(s) leading to a graduate
degree.
Cost Sharing Requirements
Requested federal funds must be matched by at least 30 percent of
the TOTAL cost, not the Federal share, of the project (i.e. $12,858
match for $30,000 in federal funds for a total project cost of
$42,858). Requested overhead costs under fellowship awards are limited
to 10% of the federal amount. Waived institutional overhead costs may
be used as match.
Intergovernmental Review
Applications under this program are subject to Executive Order
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''
Proposal Review and Selection Process
Once a full proposal has been received by NOAA an initial
administrative review is conducted to determine compliance with
requirements and completeness of the application. All proposals will be
evaluated for scientific merit by no less than three reviewers from the
scientific community. If any of these three reviewers are non-Federal
employees, consensus advice regarding the proposals will not be given.
The Estuarine Reserve Division, in collaboration with NOAA's Coastal
Services Center and Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, will
oversee the review process. Efforts are taken to ensure that conflicts
of interest are avoided. It is permissible for applicants to suggest
those people whom they feel would have a conflict of interest and
therefore not appropriate to review their proposal. The merit
reviewer's ratings are used to produce a rank order of the proposals.
The Selecting Official shall award in the rank order unless the
proposal is justified to be selected out of rank order based upon one
of the selection factors identified below. The Selecting Official makes
final recommendations for award to the Grants Officer who is authorized
to obligate the funds and execute awards.
Evaluation Criteria
Applicants do not need to address Evaluation Criteria Nos. 4 and 5
in order to have a full proposal.
1. Academic record and statement of career goals and objectives of
student (10 percent)
2. Quality of project and applicability to program priorities (80
percent)
3. Recommendations and/or endorsements of student (10 percent)
[[Page 75714]]
4. Additional relevant experience (0 percent)
5. Financial need of student (0 percent)
Selection Factors for Fellowship/Scholarships/Internships
1. Balance/Distribution of funds:
a. Academic disciplines
b. Types of institutions
c. Geography
2. Availability of funds
3. Program-specific objectives--These are found in the Full Funding
Opportunity Announcement in sections I.A and B.
4. Degree in scientific area and type of degree sought
Further details on evaluation and selection criteria and procedures
applicable to this notice can be found in the full funding opportunity
announcement available through https://www.grants.gov and on the NERRS
Web site https://www.nerrs.noaa.gov/fellowship.
National Environmental Policy Act
NOAA must analyze the potential environmental impacts, as required
by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), for applicant projects
or proposals which are seeking NOAA federal funding opportunities.
Detailed information on NOAA compliance with NEPA can be found at the
following NOAA NEPA Web site: https://www.nepa.noaa.gov/, including our
NOAA Administrative Order 216-6 for NEPA, https://www.nepa.noaa.gov/
NAO216_6_TOC.pdf, and the Council on Environmental Quality
implementation regulations, https://ceq.eh.doe.gov/nepa/regs/ceq/toc_
ceq.htm.
Consequently, as part of an applicant's package, and under their
description of their program activities, applicants are required to
provide detailed information on the activities to be conducted,
locations, sites, species and habitat to be affected, possible
construction activities, and any environmental concerns that may exist
(e.g., the use and disposal of hazardous or toxic chemicals,
introduction of non-indigenous species, impacts to endangered and
threatened species, aquaculture projects, and impacts to coral reef
systems).
In addition to providing specific information that will serve as
the basis for any required impact analyses, applicants may also be
requested to assist NOAA in drafting of an environmental assessment, if
NOAA determines an assessment is required. Applicants will also be
required to cooperate with NOAA in identifying and implementing
feasible measures to reduce or avoid any identified adverse
environmental impacts of their proposal. The failure to do so shall be
grounds for the denial of an application.
Pre-Award Notification Requirements for Grants and Cooperative
Agreements
The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for
Grants and Cooperative Agreements contained in the Federal Register
notice of December 30, 2004 (69 FR 78389) are applicable to this
solicitation.
Limitation of Liability
In no event will NOAA or the Department of Commerce be responsible
for proposal preparation costs if this initiative fails to receive
funding or is cancelled because of other agency priorities. Publication
of this announcement does not oblige NOAA to award any specific project
or to obligate any available funds. Recipients and sub-recipients are
subject to all Federal laws, agency policies, regulations and
procedures applicable to Federal financial assistance awards.
Paperwork Reduction Act
This notification involves collection-of-information requirements
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The use of Standard Forms 424,
424A, 424B, and SF-LLL and CD-346 has been approved by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB control numbers 0348-0043, 0348-
0044, 0348-0040, 0348-0046 and 0605-0001 respectively. Notwithstanding
any other provision of law, no person is required to respond to, nor
shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a
collection of information subject to the requirements of the PRA unless
that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control
number.
Executive Order 12866
It has been determined that this notice is not significant for
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)
It has been determined that this notice does not contain policies
with Federalism implications as that term is defined in Executive Order
13132.
Administrative Procedure Act/Regulatory Flexibility Act
Prior notice and an opportunity for public comment are not required
by the Administrative Procedure Act or any other law for rules
concerning public property, loans, grants, benefits, and contracts (5
U.S.C. 553(a)(2)). Because notice and opportunity for comment are not
required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 or any other law, the analytical
requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)
are inapplicable. Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis has not
been prepared.
Dated: December 12, 2006.
David M. Kennedy,
Director, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National
Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. E6-21450 Filed 12-15-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-08-P
