Availability of Grant Funds for Fiscal Year 2008, 49257-49264 [07-4225]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 166 (Tuesday, August 28, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49257-49264]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-4225]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 070817470-7471-01; I.D. 051906D]
RIN 0648-ZB83


Availability of Grant Funds for Fiscal Year 2008

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

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NOAA publishes this notice to amend the agency's solicitation 
for applications published on July 2, 2007 in an action entitled 
``Omnibus Notice Announcing the Availability of Grant Funds for Fiscal 
Year 2008''.

DATES: Proposals must be received by the date and time specified under 
each program listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this 
document.

ADDRESSES: Proposals must be submitted to the program address listed in 
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this document. NOAA's 
discretionary grant fund notices may be found on the internet at 
Grants.gov. The URL for Grants.gov is https://www.grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For those without Internet access 
request a copy of the full funding opportunity announcement and/or 
application kit, from the person listed as the information contact 
under each program.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Applicants must comply with all requirements 
contained in the Federal Funding Opportunity announcement for each of 
the programs listed in this omnibus notice. These Federal Funding 
Opportunities are available at https://www.grants.gov.
    The list of grant opportunities under NOAA Project Competitions 
(below) describe the basic information and requirements for the 
competitive grant/cooperative agreement programs offered by NOAA. These 
programs are open to anyone who meets the eligibility criteria 
specified under each grant. To be considered for an award in a 
competitive grant/cooperative agreement program, eligible applicants 
must submit a complete and responsive application to the appropriate 
address by the deadline specified in this notice. An award is made upon 
conclusion of the evaluation and selection process for the respective 
program.

Table of Contents

I. Background
II. NOAA Project Competitions
    Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR)
    1. NMFS-Sea Grant Fellowships in Marine Resource Economics
    2. NOAA Marine Aquaculture Program
    3. National Sea Grant College Program Aquatic Invasive Species 
Research and Outreach
    4. FY08 Ocean Exploration Omnibus
     5. 2009 Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship (Knauss 
Fellowship Program)
    6. NMFS--Sea Grant Fellowships in Population Dynamics
    7. Pennsylvania Sea Grant Institutional Program
    Office of the Under Secretary (USEC)
    1. Administrative Services for the Ernest F. Hollings 
Undergraduate Scholarship Program
    III. NOAA Non-competitive Opportunity
    Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR)
    1. NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program--Coral Reef 
Ecosystem Research Grants
IV. Classification

I. Background

    In this amendment, NOAA adds eight programs that are making funds 
available for financial assistance awards. Interested applicants should 
consult the July 2, 2007, notice for all of the other requirements for 
submitting an application. Each of the following grant opportunities 
provide: A description of the program, funding availability, statutory 
authority, catalog of Federal domestic assistance (CFDA) number, 
application deadline, address for submitting proposals, information 
contacts, eligibility requirements, cost sharing requirements, and 
intergovernmental review under Executive Order 12372.
    In addition, this notice announces information related to a non-
competitive financial assistance project to be administered by NOAA. 
This project is titled ``NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program--
Coral Reef Ecosystem Research Grants''. 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. 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 process for the prospective 
project.

II. NOAA Project Competitions

Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR)

1. NMFS--Sea Grant Fellowships in Marine Resource Economics
    Summary Description: The Graduate Fellowship Program generally 
awards two new Ph.D. fellowships each year to students who are 
interested in careers related to the development and implementation of 
quantitative methods for assessing their status or the economics of the 
conservation and management of living marine resources. Fellows will 
work on thesis problems of public interest and relevance to NMFS under 
the guidance of NMFS mentors at participating NMFS Science Centers or 
Laboratories. This solicitation is responsive to NOAA Mission Goal 1: 
Protect, restore and manage the use of coastal and ocean resources 
through ecosystem-based management.
    Funding Availability: The NMFS Sea Grant Joint Graduate Fellowship 
Program in Marine Resource Economics expects to support two new Fellows 
for 2 years beginning in FY 2008. The award for each fellowship will be 
a cooperative agreement of $38,500 per year, with an anticipated start 
date of June 1, 2008.

    Statutory Authority: Authority for the Resource Economics 
Graduate Fellowship Program is provided by the following: 33 U.S.C. 
1127(a).

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.417, Sea 
Grant Support.
    Application Deadline: Applications must be received by 4 p.m., 
Eastern time February 22, 2008 by the National Sea Grant Office (NSGO).
    Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications from Sea Grant 
programs should be submitted through www.Grants.gov. Facsimile 
transmission and electronic mail submission of applications will not be 
accepted.
    Information Contacts: Contact Dr. Terry Smith, National Sea Grant 
College Program, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910; tel: 
(301) 734-1084; e-mail: Terry.Smith@noaa.gov.
    Eligibility: Prospective Fellows must be United States citizens. At 
the time of

[[Page 49258]]

application, prospective Marine Resource Economics Fellows must be 
admitted to a Ph.D. degree program in natural resource economics or a 
related field at an institution of higher education in the United 
States or its territories or submit a signed letter from the 
institution indicating provisional acceptance to a Ph.D. degree program 
conditional on obtaining financial support such as this fellowship. 
Applications must be submitted by the institution of higher education, 
which may be any such institution in the United States or its 
territories.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: Of the $38,500 award, 50 percent 
($19,250) will be contributed by NMFS, 33\1/3\ percent ($12,833) by the 
National Sea Grant Office (NSGO), and 16\2/3\ percent ($6,417) by the 
institution of higher education as the required 50 percent match of 
NSGO funds.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.
    2. NOAA Marine Aquaculture Program
    Summary Description: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA) is seeking preliminary proposals and full 
proposals for demonstration projects and innovative research for the 
development of environmentally and economically sustainable marine 
aquaculture in nearshore, open water, and terrestrial environments. The 
Great Lakes are considered marine for this competition. Priorities 
include: (1) Site-specific commercial/pilot scale demonstration 
projects to establish technical and economic feasibility with special 
emphasis on hatchery development, land based, near shore and offshore 
production systems; (2) studies to assess environmental impacts of 
current marine aquaculture production systems and species including 
fish and shellfish; (3) nutrition research involving alternative 
protein based diets and influence of diet on product quality; (4) 
development of environmental models and GIS tools to aid site selection 
for new facilities; (5) disease diagnostics and control; (6) 
development of technical, hands-on training programs in marine hatchery 
operations and management; and (7) development of synthesis research 
papers (i.e., executive summary and journal publication) for the 
following topics: (a) Environmental impacts of marine production 
systems; (b) alternative protein feeds and potential impacts; (c) 
disease transmission from aquaculture to wild stocks and vice versa, 
and status of ecologically acceptable treatments and preventives; and 
9d) genetic technologies and environmental risk analysis. This program 
supports NOAA's mission to protect, restore and manage the use of 
coastal and ocean resources through ecosystem based management. 
Projects funded under this competition should support NOAA's overall 
goals for its marine aquaculture program, which are to: (1) Establish a 
comprehensive regulatory program for the conduct of marine aquaculture 
operations; (2) Develop appropriate technologies to support commercial 
marine aquaculture and enhancement of wild stocks; (3) Establish and 
implement procedures for the environmental assessment and monitoring of 
marine aquaculture activities; (4) Conduct education and outreach 
activities to establish a well informed public on marine aquaculture; 
and (5) Meet international obligations to promote environmentally 
sustainable practices for the conduct of marine aquaculture.
    Funding Availability: NOAA will hold an open competition for up to 
$8 million for FY 2008 and FY 2009, with individual projects ranging 
from approximately $200,000 to $1,000,000 for a two year period. It is 
anticipated that we will make approximately 20 awards, three or four 
pilot scale demonstration projects at or near the $1,000,000 level for 
the two year period and the remainder at or about the $200,000 level. 
In addition, funding for the synthesis research papers (priority 
 7 described in Summary Description section) is anticipated to 
be up to $50,000 with four awards being made. Some funds in FY 2008 may 
be used to finish out projects started in FY 2007. We intend to fund 
projects for the full two year project period (08 and 09) using FY 2008 
funds. In addition we will use some FY 2009 funds to start other two 
year projects identified through this FY 2008 competition. It is not 
anticipated that a competition will be held in 2009. We reserve the 
option to use some FY 2010 funds to finish projects started in FY 2009. 
Only exceptional projects with multiple partners providing significant 
impact towards the previously mentioned goals will be considered for 
the higher level of funding. Projects involving industry collaboration 
and specific resource leveraging are encouraged and will be given 
higher rank and consideration.

    Statutory Authority: 33 D.S.C. 1121 et seq.

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.417, Sea 
Grant Support.
    Application Deadline: Preproposals must be received at NOAA by 4 
p.m. EDT, on October 18,2007 and full proposals by 4 p.m. EST on 
January 24, 2008. Anticipated grant start dates will be June 1, 2008. 
Anticipated grant start dates will be June 1, 2008.
    Address for Submitting Proposals: Full proposals should be 
submitted through grants.gov. Preliminary proposals from all 
applicants, and full proposals from those that do not have access to 
internet should be sent in hardcopy to: Dr. Andy Lazur, NOAA R/SG; 1315 
East-West Highway, Bldg SSMC 3, Room 11805, Silver Spring, MD 20910-
3283, tel. 301-734-1082.
    Information Contacts: Dr. Andy Lazur, 301-734-1082; via internet at 
Andy.Lazur@noaa.gov, facsimile 301-713-0799. For information on past 
projects contact: NOAA Aquaculture Information Center, Eileen McVey at: 
Eileen.mcvev@,noaa.gov.
    Eligibility: Institutions of higher education, nonprofit 
organizations, commercial organizations, Federal, State, local and 
Indian tribal governments and individuals are eligible.

    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. 
Because this announcement is not proposing to procure goods or 
services from applicants, the Economy Act (31 D.S.C. 1535) is not an 
appropriate legal basis. Only those who submit preliminary proposals 
by the preliminary proposal deadline are eligible to submit full 
proposals.

    Cost Sharing Requirements: Matching funds are not required, however 
proposals that combine resources from institutions such as private 
industry, universities, Federal and State agencies, and foundations to 
address national or regional issues will be considered in relation to 
Criteria One (Impacts) in this solicitation and factor 6 (partnerships) 
of the selection factors listed in the Omnibus Federal Register notice 
for this competition.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this Program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
3. National Sea Grant College Program Aquatic Invasive Species Research 
and Outreach
    Summary Description: The National Sea Grant College Program seeks 
to fund research and outreach projects addressing the introduction and 
spread of aquatic invasive species. The goal of the program is to 
discover and develop

[[Page 49259]]

information and tools that can lead to the prevention, detection, 
monitoring and control of aquatic invasive species threatening United 
States coastal, oceanic and Great Lakes communities, resources and 
ecosystems. The program seeks especially to support NOAA-relevant 
regional research and outreach priorities identified by the Regional 
Panels of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force. Consult the full 
Federal Funding Opportunity for these priorities. Appropriate areas of 
research may include: Biology and life history research, population 
dynamics, genetics, physiology, behavior, and parasites and diseases of 
invasive species, ecological and environmental tolerances of invasive 
species, impacts of invasive species at each stage of their life 
history on the environment, resources, and human health, research into 
invasive species control measures (engineering, physical, chemical, 
biological, physicochemical, administrative, and educational), and 
economic impact analysis of invasive species on marine and coastal 
resources, sport, commercial and tribal fisheries, the recreation and 
tourism industry, the shipping and navigation industry, and municipal 
and industrial water users. Other appropriate areas of endeavor may 
include: Use of research results to provide a scientific basis for 
developing sound policy and environmental law, public education and 
technology transfer, research and outreach into identifying vectors of 
aquatic invasive species introduction, and education and outreach 
activities that will transfer this information to the appropriate 
users. 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: Depending on the overall funding 
appropriation for the National Sea Grant College Program, a total of up 
to $2,000,000 for FY 2008 and FY 2009 is anticipated to be available to 
support invasive species research and outreach projects of up to two 
years duration. Federal funding will range approximately between 
$30,000 and $300,000 per project. This announcement solicits for FY 
2008 and FY 2009; we do not anticipate issuing a separate solicitation 
for this program in FY 2009.

    Statutory Authority: Program Authority for the Aquatic Invasive 
Species Research and Outreach Program is provided by 33 U.S.C. 1121-
1131.

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.417, Sea 
Grant Support.
    Application Deadline: Applications must be received by the National 
Sea Grant Office (NSGO) or the state Sea Grant Program by 4 p.m. EDT on 
October 11, 2007, for preliminary proposals and by 4 p.m. EST on 
February 14, 2008, for full proposals.
    Address for Submitting Proposals: APPLICANTS FROM SEA GRANT STATES 
must submit applications (both preliminary and full proposals) to their 
state Sea Grant Program, to the addresses provided by that Program. 
Consult your state Sea Grant Program for information on addresses. Sea 
Grant states are: Alabama; Alaska; California; Connecticut; Delaware; 
Florida; Georgia; Hawaii; Illinois; Indiana; Louisiana; Maine; 
Maryland; Massachusetts; Michigan; Minnesota; Mississippi; New York; 
New Hampshire; New Jersey; North Carolina; Ohio; Oregon; Pennsylvania; 
Puerto Rico; Rhode Island; South Carolina; Texas; Vermont; Virginia; 
Washington; Wisconsin. The contact information for Sea Grant College 
Programs may be found at: https://www.seagrant.noaa.gov/SGDirectors.html 
or may also be obtained by contacting Dorn Carlson listed in the Agency 
Contacts section. Internet links to state Sea Grant Programs can be 
found at: https://www.seagrant.noaa.gov/colleges/textlinks.html. 
Applicants *NOT* From Sea Grants States may submit their applications 
to a nearby state Sea Grant program, or directly to the NSGO. If 
applications are sent directly to the NSGO, preliminary proposals must 
be submitted in paper hardcopy, to: National Sea Grant Office, Attn: 
Mrs. Geraldine Taylor, Invasive Species, 1315 East-West Highway, R/SG, 
Rm 11732, Silver Spring, MD 20910, telephone 301-734-1072. Full 
proposals must be submitted electronically, via https://grants.gov, 
addressing opportunity number OAR-SG-2008-2001200. If an applicant does 
not have access to Grants.gov, full applications may be sent in 
hardcopy (one signed original and two copies) to the address given 
above for preliminary proposals. Include a cover letter stating that 
you are submitting in hardcopy because you do not have access to 
Grants.gov. Sea Grant College Programs must submit applications through 
Grants.gov.
    Information Contacts: Dorn Carlson, NOAA R/SG, National Sea Grant 
Office, 1315 East-West Highway, Rm 11839, Silver Spring, MD 20910, 
telephone 301-734-1080; via electronic mail at 
invasive.species@noaa.gov.
    Eligibility: Individuals, institutions of higher education, 
nonprofit organizations, commercial organizations, State, local and 
Indian tribal governments, foreign governments, and international 
organizations are eligible. Only those who submit preliminary proposals 
by the deadline are eligible to submit full proposals.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: Each proposal must include additional 
non-Federal matching funds equivalent to at least 50 percent of the 
Federal funds requested; for example, a proposal requesting $100,000 in 
Federal support must include at least an additional $50,000 in matching 
funds.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this Program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''
4. FY08 Ocean Exploration (OE) Omnibus
    Summary Description: OE is seeking pre-proposals and full proposals 
to support its mission, consistent with NOAA's Strategic Plan (https://
www.nrc.noaa.gov), to search, investigate, and document marine 
archaeological resources and to further ocean education and ocean 
literacy. OE is seeking proposals for exploration and discovery of 
significant maritime heritage sites, including submerged, previously 
subaerial, landscapes, shipwrecks, aircraft, and other maritime 
cultural sites. Competitive OE proposals will be bold, innovative and 
interdisciplinary in their approach and objectives. Proposals will 
emphasize the early phases of field archaeology: searching, locating, 
evaluating or inventorying sites. Marine Archaeology projects may be 
conducted in any of the oceans, coasts or Great Lakes regions, on any 
suitable platform, vessel or other charter. In prior years, OE has 
funded the development of educational products to enable teachers to 
bring NOAA science into classrooms throughout the country. To 
facilitate the use of NOAA science in formal and informal education 
environments, OE is seeking proposals to extend the use of these 
existing OE education products, located on its Web site, in school 
districts and other learning centers throughout the country. It is 
anticipated that a total of approximately $700,000 will be available 
through this announcement, partitioned, approximately, as follows: 
Marine Archaeology, $400,000 and Ocean Exploration Education, $300,000. 
Applicants are encouraged to visit the Ocean Explorer Web site (https://

[[Page 49260]]

www.oceanexplorer.noaa.gov) to familiarize themselves with past and 
present OE-funded activities. Background on how to apply and the 
required proposal cover sheets are accessible through the OE Office Web 
site at https://www.explore.noaa.gov/opportunitv/welcome.html. In 
furtherance of this objective, NOAA issues this Federal Funding 
Opportunity for extramural research, innovative projects, and 
sponsorships that address one the following mission goal descriptions 
contained in the NOAA Strategic Plan: To Protect, Restore, and Manage 
the Use of Coastal and Ocean Resources through an Ecosystem Approach to 
Management.
    Funding Availability: In anticipation of the FY08 President's 
Budget, OE anticipates supporting approximately 9 awards through this 
solicitation; 4 in Marine Archaeology and 5 in Education. The OE 
Director may hold-over select proposals submitted for 2008 funding for 
consideration in 2009. The amount of funding available through this 
announcement is subject to the final FY08 appropriation for Ocean 
Exploration. Publication of this announcement does not obligate NOAA to 
fund any specific project or to obligate all or any part of available 
funds. There is no guarantee that sufficient funds will be available to 
initiate or continue research activities where funding has been 
recommended by OE. The exact amount of funds that OE may recommend be 
granted will be determined in pre-award negotiations between the 
applicant and NOAA representatives. Future opportunities for submitting 
proposals may be available and will depend on OE funding levels.

    Statutory Authority: 33 U.S.C. 883d.

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.460, 
Special Oceanic and Atmospheric Projects.
    Application Deadline: Pre-proposals are required for all categories 
and must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Time, September 27, 2007. 
Applicants will receive an e-mail encouraging or discouraging a full 
proposal submission 40 days after submission. If you have not received 
a reply 40 days after submission contact OE (OEoffice@noaa.gov) as soon 
as possible. Full proposal submissions must be received no later than 5 
p.m. Eastern Time, October 29, 2007. Applications received after the 
above deadlines will not be considered.
    Address for Submitting Proposals: Pre-proposal submissions can be 
either by e-mail (send to OEOffice@noaa.gov) or by hard-copy (send 
three copies to the mailing address below). If by e-mail, please put 
your last name in the subject heading along with the words OE Pre-
proposal, e.g., `Smith OE Pre-proposa1.' Adobe PDF format is preferred. 
No facsimile pre-proposals will be accepted. Full proposal submissions 
for non-Federal applicants must be submitted through www.grants.gov. 
Federal applicants must submit hard-copies to the address below. The 
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number is 11.460--Special 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Projects. An exception will be made for those 
non-Federal applicants with limited internet access, who may submit 
hard-copy to the address below. No e-mail proposal submissions will be 
accepted. Instructions and Mailing Address for Hard-Copy Submissions: 
Pre-proposals or Full Proposals. Hard copy applications should be 
binder-clipped together (not bound or stapled) and printed on one-side 
only. Three signed, hard copy originals are required (use blue/black 
ink). Since reviewers will require access to an electronic copy, 
applicants submitting hard copies are highly-encouraged to also submit 
a digital version in one Adobe PDF file on CD-ROM.
    Mailing Address: ATTN: Dr. Nicolas Alvarado, NOAA Office of Ocean 
Exploration, SSMC III, 10th Floor, 1315 East West Highway, Silver 
Spring, Maryland 20910.
    Information Contacts: For further information contact the NOAA 
Office of Ocean Exploration at (301) 734-1015 or submit inquiries via 
email to the Frequently Asked Questions address: oar.oe.FAQ@noaa.gov. 
Email inquiries should include the Principal Investigator's name in the 
subject heading. Inquiries can be mailed to ATTN: Dr. Nicolas Alvarado, 
NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration, 1315 East West Highway, SSMC3, 10th 
Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
    Eligibility: Eligible applicants are from institutions of higher 
education, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, organizations 
under the jurisdiction of foreign governments, international 
organizations, State, Local and Indian tribal governments.
    Applications from Federal agencies are also eligible. Please Note: 
Before non-NOAA Federal applicants may be funded, they must demonstrate 
they have legal authority to receive funds from another Federal agency 
in excess of their appropriation. Because this announcement is not 
proposing to procure goods or services from applicants, the Economy Act 
(31 U.S.C. 1535) is not an appropriate legal basis.
    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.'' Applicants must contact their State's Single Point of 
Contact (SPOC) to find out about and comply with the State's process 
under EO 12372. The names and addresses of the SPOCs are listed in the 
Office of Management and Budget's Web site: https://www.whitehouse.gov/
omb/grants/spoc.html.
5. 2009 Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship (Knauss Fellowship 
Program)
    Summary Description: The Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy 
Fellowship Program is committed not only to advancing marine-related 
educational and career goals of participating students, but also to 
increasing partnerships between universities and government. The 
Program matches graduate students who have an interest in ocean, 
coastal and Great Lakes resources, and in the national policy and 
management decisions affecting these resources, with hosts in the 
Legislative and Executive branches of the Federal government for a one 
year paid fellowship. The program priorities for this opportunity 
support NOAA's Ecosystem mission support goal: Protect, restore and 
manage use of coastal and ocean resources through ecosystem-based 
management.
    Funding Availability: No less than 30 applicants will be selected. 
Up to 11 selected applicants will be assigned to the Congress. The 
overall cooperative agreement is $43,500 per student.

    Statutory Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1127(b).

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.417, Sea 
Grant Support.
    Application Deadline: Eligible graduate students must submit 
applications to state Sea Grant college programs. Applications from 
prospective fellows to the State Sea Grant College Programs (SGCP) are 
due February 29,2008. Applicants from states not served by a Sea Grant 
program should contact the NSGO; subsequently, the applicant will be 
referred to the appropriate Sea Grant program to submit applications by 
the February 29 deadline. Applicants should consult the Sea Grant 
program before submitting an application to it.
    Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications from Sea Grant 
programs should be submitted through www.Grants.gov. Hard copy 
justification

[[Page 49261]]

and applications should be submitted to: Miguel Lugo, Program Manager, 
Knauss Fellowship Program, National Sea Grant College Program, 1315 
East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
    Information Contacts: Miguel Lugo, Program Manager, Knauss 
Fellowship Program, National Sea Grant College Program, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910; tel: (301) 734-1077 x1075. Inquiries 
can also be made to any state Sea Grant Program. Contact information 
for state Sea Grant College Programs can be found at: https://
www.seagrant.noaa.gov/other/pro gramsdirectors.html.
    Eligibility: Any student, regardless of citizenship, who, on 
February 29, 2008, is in a graduate or professional program in a marine 
or aquatic-related field at a United States-accredited institution of 
higher education in the United States or U.S. Territories may apply.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: There will be one-third required cost 
share for those applicants selected as legislative fellows.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.
6. NMFS-Sea Grant Fellowships in Population Dynamics
    Summary Description: The Graduate Fellowship Program awards at 
least two new Ph.D. fellowships each year to students who are 
interested in careers related to the population dynamics of living 
marine resources and the development and implementation of quantitative 
methods for assessing their status. Fellows will work on thesis 
problems of public interest and relevance to NMFS under the guidance of 
NMFS mentors at participating NMFS Science Centers or Laboratories. 
This solicitation is responsive to NOAA Mission Goal 1: protect, 
restore and manage the use of coastal and ocean resources through 
ecosystem-based management.
    Funding Availability: The award for each Fellowship, contingent 
upon the availability of Federal funds, will be a multi-year 
cooperative agreement in the amount of $38,500 per year for up to three 
years.

    Statutory Authority: Authority for the Population Dynamics 
Graduate Fellowship Program is provided by the following: 33 U.S.C. 
1127(a).

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.417, Sea 
Grant Support.
    Application Deadline: Applications must be received by 4 p.m., 
Eastern time February 22, 2008 by the National Sea Grant Office (NSGO). 
State Sea Grant programs should set an internal deadline of January 25, 
2008 to facilitate the entry of non-electronic applications into 
Grants.gov.
    Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications from Sea Grant 
programs should be submitted through www.Grants.gov. Facsimile 
transmission and electronic mail submission of applications will not be 
accepted.
    Information Contacts: Contact Dr. Terry Smith, National Sea Grant 
College Program, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910; tel: 
(301) 734-1084; e-mail: Terry.Smith@noaa.gov.
    Eligibility: Prospective Fellows must be United States citizens. At 
the time of application, prospective Population Dynamics Fellows must 
be admitted to a Ph.D. degree program in population dynamics or a 
related field such as applied mathematics, statistics, or quantitative 
ecology at an institution of higher education in the United States or 
its territories, or submit a signed letter from the institution 
indicating provisional acceptance to a Ph.D. degree program conditional 
on obtaining financial support such as this fellowship. Applications 
must be submitted by the institution of higher education, which may be 
any such institution in the United States or its territories.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: Of the $38,500 award, 50 percent 
($19,250) will be contributed by NMFS, 33\1/3\ percent ($12,833) by the 
National Sea Grant Office (NSGO), and 16\2/3\ percent ($6,417) by the 
institution of higher education as the required 50 percent match of 
NSGO funds.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.
7. Pennsylvania Sea Grant Institutional Program
    Summary Description: NOAA's National Sea Grant College Program 
(NSGCP) invites applications to establish an Institutional Sea Grant 
Program for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania beginning in FY 2008. 
Applicants should provide a 4-year plan for an institutional program 
that will be part of the larger National Sea Grant network, a 
partnership between the Federal Government and universities to conduct 
integrated research, education and outreach in fields related to ocean, 
coastal and Great Lakes resources. Applicants must comply with all 
requirements contained in the full funding opportunity announcement. 
The program priorities for this opportunity support NOAA's Ecosystem 
mission support goal: protect, restore and manage use of coastal and 
ocean resources through ecosystem-based management.
    Funding Availability: NOAA expects that about $500K will be 
available from the NSGCP to establish a new Sea Grant institutional 
program for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania beginning in FY 2008. NOAA 
anticipates continuing support at that level from FY 2009-FY 2011 if 
funds are available.

    Statutory Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1121 et seq., as amended.

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.417, Sea 
Grant Support.
    Application Deadline: Proposals must be received no later than 5 
p.m. Eastern Standard Time, October 15,2007.
    Address for Submitting Proposals: Program Officer: Sami Grimes, 
1315 East West Hwy, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3282 301-734-1077 Ext. 1073 
sami.grimes@noaa.gov Organization: NOAA/National Sea Grant Program R/SG 
1315 East-West Hwy, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
    Information Contacts: For a copy of the full funding opportunity 
announcement and/or application kit, access it at Grants.gov, via NOAA 
Sea Grants Web site, or by contacting Ms. Sami Grimes, NOAA R/SG, 1315 
East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3283, telephone: 301-734-
1073, e-mail: sami.grimes@noaa.gov.
    Eligibility: Proposals may be submitted by institutions of higher 
education, or confederations of such institutions in the state of 
Pennsylvania that have achieved coherent area program status.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: To be eligible for the NSGCP funds, a 
match of 50% of the requested Federal funds (direct and indirect costs) 
is needed. Sea Grant requires that funds be matched with at least one 
non-Federal dollar for every two Federal dollars.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.

Office of the Under Secretary (USEC)

1. Administrative Services for the Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate 
Scholarship Program
    Summary Description: The purpose of this document is to advise the 
public that NOAA's Office of Education is announcing the availability 
of Federal assistance for a not-for-profit

[[Page 49262]]

organization for administrative services for the Ernest F. Hollings 
Undergraduate Scholarship Program. The purposes of the program include: 
(1) To increase undergraduate training in oceanic and atmospheric 
science, research, technology, and education and foster 
multidisciplinary training opportunities; (2) to increase public 
understanding and support for stewardship of the ocean and atmosphere 
and improve environmental literacy; (3) to recruit and prepare students 
for public service careers with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration and other natural resource and science agencies at the 
Federal, state and local levels of government; and (4) to recruit and 
prepare students for careers as teachers and educators in oceanic and 
atmospheric science and to improve scientific and environmental 
education in the United States. The Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship 
Program provides approximately 100 selected undergraduate applicants 
per year with awards that include academic assistance (up to a maximum 
of $8,000) for full-time study during the 9-month academic year; a 10-
week, full-time internship position ($650/week) during the summer at a 
NOAA or partner facility; and, if reappointed, academic assistance (up 
to a maximum of $8,000) for full-time study during a second 9-month 
academic year. The internship between first and second years of award 
provides hands-on multi-disciplinary educational training experience 
involving Scholars in NOAA-related scientific, research, technological, 
policy, management, and education activities. Awards also include a 
housing subsidy for scholars who do not reside at home during the 
summer internship and travel expenses for attendance and participation 
at a Ernest F. Hollings scholarship orientation program, conference 
travel, and an end of summer internship presentation program. The 
program priorities for this opportunity support NOAA's mission support 
goal of Critical Support Facilities, ships, aircraft, environmental 
satellites, data-processing systems, computing and communications 
systems.
    Funding Availability: Subject to appropriations, this solicitation 
announces that funding at a maximum of $6,800,000 will be available for 
program administration of the Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate 
Scholarship Program over a four-year period. Only one application will 
be funded. Up to 18 percent is allowed for administrative overhead and 
at least 82 percent of the Federal funding is for student support. It 
is anticipated that the funding instrument will be a cooperative 
agreement since NOAA will be substantially involved in the selection of 
scholarship recipients, identifying NOAA facilities to place students 
during the one summer internship, and with collaboration, 
participation, or intervention in project performance.


    Statutory Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1540, Public Law 108-447.

    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.481, 
Educational Partnership Program.
    Application Deadline: Dates: Applications must be received by NOAA 
Office of Education by October 1, 2007, no later than 11:59 p.m. 
(Eastern Daily Time). Hard copy applications will be date and time 
stamped when they are received. Facsimile transmission and electronic 
mail submission of applications will not be accepted.
    Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications submitted in 
response to this announcement should be submitted through the 
Grants.gov Web site. Electronic access to the full funding announcement 
for this program is available via the Grants.gov Web site: https://
www.grants.gov. The announcement will also be available by contacting 
the program official identified below. Only if an applicant does not 
have Internet access, hard copies may be sent to the Office of 
Education, Educational Partnership Program, 1315 East-West Highway, 
Room 10703, Silver Spring, MD 20910. No facsimile applications will be 
accepted. Organizations are encouraged to submit Letters of Intent to 
NOAA within 30 days of this announcement to aid in planning the review 
processes. Letters of Intent may be submitted to Chantell Haskins via 
e-mail to StudentScholarshipPrograms@noaa.gov. Information should 
include a general description of the program administration proposal.
    Information Contacts: Program Management. Chantell Haskins, NOAA 
Office of Education, 301-713-9437 ext. 150, Internet: 
StudentScholarshipPrograms@noaa.gov. Business Management Information. 
Arlene S. Porter, NOAA/GMD Grants Administrator, 301-713-0942 ext 152, 
Internet: Arlene.S.Porter@noaa.gov.
    Eligibility: Eligible applicants are not for profit organizations 
with demonstrated administrative experience operating fellowships, 
scholarship and internship programs in science and technology areas. 
Federal agencies and the academic community are not eligible to apply 
to this notice.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: None.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''

III. NOAA Non-Competitive Project

    The following entry provides the description and requirements of 
NOAA's noncompetitive project.

Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR)

1. NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program--Coral Reef Ecosystem 
Research Grants
    Summary Description: The NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program 
announces that it is providing funding to the NOAA Undersea Research 
Program (NURP) Centers for: the Southeastern U.S., Florida, and Gulf of 
Mexico Region, the Southeast U.S. and Gulf of Mexico Center; and the 
Hawaii and Western Pacific Region, the Hawaii Undersea Research 
Laboratory to administer two external, competitive coral reef ecosystem 
research grants programs. Research supported through these programs 
will address priority information needs identified by coral reef 
ecosystem managers and scientists. Broad coral reef research priorities 
supported through these programs may include research on coral disease 
and bleaching, fisheries population dynamics and ecology, coral reef 
restoration and mitigation approaches, effects of anthropogenic 
stressors on benthic invertebrates, impacts and spread of invasive 
species, and evaluation of management actions and strategies. Specific 
priorities within these broad areas, and geographic preferences, will 
be indicated in each NURP Center's request for proposals. The NURP 
Center external coral reef research grants programs are part of the 
NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grants Program under the Coral Reef 
Conservation Act of 2000. 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 $600,000 may be available in FY 
2008 to support awards under this program.

    Statutory Authority: Statutory authority for this program is 
provided under 16 U.S.C. 6403.


[[Page 49263]]


    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.430, 
National Undersea Research Program.
    Information Contact: Kimberly Puglise, 301-713-2427, extension 199 
or e-mail at kimberly.puglise@noaa.gov. Announcements requesting 
proposals will be announced on: https://www.uncw.edu/nurc, for the NURP 
Center for the Southeastern U.S. and the Gulf of Mexico; for the NURP 
Center for Hawaii and the Western Pacific, the Hawaii Undersea Research 
Laboratory.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: The awards require a 1:1 Federal to non-
Federal match.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are not 
subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.''

IV. Classification

Limitation of Liability

    Funding for potential projects in this notice is contingent upon 
the availability of Fiscal year 2008 appropriations. Applicants are 
hereby given notice that funds have not yet been appropriated for any 
proposed activities in this notice. In no event will NOAA or the 
Department of Commerce be responsible for proposal preparation costs. 
Publication of this announcement does not oblige NOAA to award any 
specific project or to obligate any available funds.

Universal Identifier

    Applicants should be aware that, for programs which have deadline 
dates on or after October 1, 2003, they may be required to provide a 
Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number during 
the application process. See the 67 FR 66 177; October 30, 2002 
information.
    Organizations can receive a DUNS number at no cost by calling the 
dedicated toll-free DUNS Number request line at 1-866-705-5711 or via 
the Internet (https://www.dunandbradstreet.com).

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    NOAA must analyze the potential environmental impacts, as required 
by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), for applicant projects 
or 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, NEPA Questionnaire, https://www.nepa.noaa.gov/
questionnaire.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 feasible measures to 
reduce or avoid any identified adverse environmental impacts of their 
proposal. The failure to do so shall be grounds for not selecting an 
application. In some cases if additional information is required after 
an application is selected, funds can be withheld by the Grants Officer 
under a special award condition requiring the recipient to submit 
additional environmental compliance information sufficient to enable 
NOAA to make an assessment on any impacts that a project may have on 
the environment.

Compliance With Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security 
Export Administration Regulations

    (a) This section applies to the extent that this BAA results in 
financial assistance awards involving access to export-controlled 
information or technology.
    (b) In performing a financial assistance award, the recipient may 
gain access to export-controlled information or technology. The 
recipient will then be responsible for compliance with all applicable 
laws and regulations regarding export-controlled information and 
technology, including deemed exports. The recipient shall establish and 
maintain throughout performance of the financial assistance award 
effective export compliance procedures at non-NOAA facilities. At a 
minimum, these export compliance procedures must include adequate 
controls of physical, verbal, visual, and electronic access to export-
controlled information and technology.
    (c) Definitions.
    (1) Deemed export. The Export Administration Regulations (EAR) 
define a deemed export as any release of technology or source code 
subject to the EAR to a foreign national, both in the United States and 
abroad. Such release is ``deemed'' to be an export to the home country 
of the foreign national. 15 CFR 734.2(b)(2)(ii).
    (2) Export-controlled information and technology. Export-controlled 
information and technology is information and technology subject to the 
EAR (15 CFR parts 730 et seq.), implemented by the DOC Bureau of 
Industry and Security, or the International Traffic Arms Regulations 
(ITAR) (22 CFR parts 120-130), implemented by the Department of State, 
respectively. This includes, but is not limited to, dual-use items, 
defense articles and any related assistance, services, software or 
technical data as defined in the EAR and ITAR.
    (d) The recipient shall control access to all export-controlled 
information and technology that it possesses or that comes into its 
possession in performance of a financial assistance award, to ensure 
that access is restricted, or licensed, as required by applicable 
Federal laws, Executive Orders, and/or regulations.
    (e) Nothing in the terms of this section is intended to change, 
supersede, or waive any of the requirements of applicable Federal laws, 
Executive Orders or regulations.
    (f) The recipient shall include this clause, including this 
paragraph (f), in all lower tier transactions (subawards, contracts, 
and subcontracts) under the financial assistance award that may involve 
access to export-controlled information technology.

NOAA Implementation of Homeland Security Presidential Directive--12

    If the performance of a financial assistance award, if approved by 
NOAA, requires recipients to have physical access to Federal premises 
for more than 180 days or access to a Federal information system, any 
items or services delivered under a financial assistance award shall 
comply with the Department of Commerce personal identity verification 
procedures that implement Homeland Security Presidential Directive--12, 
FIPS PUB 201, and the Office of Management and Budget Memorandum M-05-
24. The recipient shall insert this clause in all subawards or 
contracts when the subaward recipient or contractor is required to have 
physical access to a

[[Page 49264]]

federally controlled facility or access to a Federal information 
system.

The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements

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

Paperwork Reduction Act.

    This document contains collection-of-information requirements 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The use of Standard Forms 
424, 424A, 424B, SF LLL, CD-346, SF 424 Research and Related Family, SF 
424 Short Organizational Family, SF 424 Individual Form family has been 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the 
respective control numbers 4040-0004, 0348-0044, 0348-0040, 0348-0046, 
0605-0001, 4040-0001, 4040-0003, and 4040-0005. Notwithstanding any 
other provision of law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall 
any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a 
collection of information subject to the requirements of the PRA unless 
that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control 
number.

Executive Order 12866

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

Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)

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

Administrative Procedure Act/Regulatory Flexibility Act

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

    Dated: August 22, 2007.
Helen Hurcombe,
Director, Acquisition and Grants Office, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 07-4225 Filed 8-27-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-12-M