Availability of Grant Funds for Fiscal Year 2009, 72-89 [E8-30851]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 1 (Friday, January 2, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72-89]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-30851]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 0612242720-81597
RIN 0648-ZB55


Availability of Grant Funds for Fiscal Year 2009

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: NOAA publishes this notice to supplement the agency's 
solicitation

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for applications published on July 11, 2008 in an action entitled 
``Omnibus Notice Announcing the Availability of Grant Funds for Fiscal 
Year 2009''. This notice announces 13 additional programs that are 
soliciting applications for FY 2009 funding.

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 
Federal Register and Federal 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 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 
entries below describes 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.

Table of Contents

I. Background
II. Electronic Access
III. NOAA Project Competitions

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)

1. 2010 Herring Research Set-Aside (RSA)
2. 2010 Mid-Atlantic Research Set-Aside (RSA)
3. FY09 Hawaii Seafood Program
4. New Bedford Harbor Restoration Projects (IV)
5. Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund
6. Proactive Species Conservation Program

National Ocean Service (NOS)

1. Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program--FY 2010 
Competition
2. Coral Reef NGO Partnership
3. FY09 Bay Watershed Education and Training Program, Adult and 
Community Watershed Education in the Monterey Bay

National Weather Service (NWS)

1. Hydrologic Research
2. Remote Community Alert Systems Program 2009

Office of the Under Secretary (USEC)

1. Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program
2. Environmental Literacy Grants: Science On a Sphere Network 
Capacity Building

IV. NOAA Project Competitions Listed by NOAA Mission Goals

1. Protect, Restore and Manage the Use of Coastal and Ocean Resources 
Through Ecosystem-Based Management

    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:
    1. Healthy and productive coastal and marine ecosystems that 
benefit society.
    2. A well-informed public that acts as a steward of coastal and 
marine ecosystems.

Program Names

    1. Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program.
    2. Coral Reef NGO Partnership.
    3. Proactive Species Conservation Program.
    4. FY09 Hawaii Seafood Program.
    5. FY09 Bay Watershed Education and Training Program, Adult and 
Community Watershed Education in the Monterey Bay.
    6. 2010 Herring Research Set-Aside (RSA).
    7. 2010 Mid-Atlantic Research Set-Aside (RSA).
    8. Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program--FY 2010 
Competition.
    9. Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund.
    10. New Bedford Harbor Restoration Projects (IV).

 2. Understand Climate Variability and Change To Enhance Society's 
Ability To Plan and Respond

    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 Ni[ntilde]o, 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 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:
    1. A predictive understanding of the global climate system on time 
scales of weeks to decades with quantified uncertainties sufficient or 
making informed and reasoned decisions.
    2. Climate-sensitive sectors and the climate-literate public 
effectively incorporating NOAA's climate products into their plans and 
decisions.

Program Names

    1. Coral Reef NGO Partnership.
    2. Proactive Species Conservation Program.
    3. Hydrologic Research.

3. Serve Society's Needs for Weather and Water Information

    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

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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 nongovernmental 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:
    1. Reduced loss of life, injury, and damage to the economy.
    2. Better, quicker, and more valuable weather and water information 
to support improved decisions.
    3. Increased customer satisfaction with weather and water 
information and services.

Program Names

    1. Remote Community Alert Systems Program 2009.
    2. Hydrologic Research.

4. Provide Critical Support for NOAA's Mission

    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, 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 re-engineering, 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:
    1. A dynamic workforce with competencies that support NOAA's 
mission today and in the future.

Program Names

    1. Environmental Literacy Grants: Science on a Sphere Network 
Capacity Building.

5. Support the Nation's Commerce With Information for Safe, Efficient, 
and Environmentally Sound Transportation

    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:
    1. Safe, secure, efficient, and seamless movement of goods and 
people in the U.S. transportation system.
    2. Environmentally sound development and use of the U.S. 
transportation system.

Program Names

    1. No programs are currently soliciting proposals for this mission 
goal.

I. Background

    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.

II. Electronic Access

    The full funding announcement for each program is available via the 
Grants.gov Web site at: https://www.grants.gov. Electronic applications 
for the NOAA Programs listed in this announcement may be accessed, 
downloaded, and submitted to that Web site. The due dates and times for 
paper and electronic submissions are

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identical. NOAA strongly recommends that you do not wait until the 
application deadline to begin the application process through 
Grants.gov. Your application must be received and validated by 
Grants.gov no later than the due date and time.


    Please Note: Validation or rejection of your application by 
Grants.gov may take up to 2 business days after your submission. 
Please consider the Grants.gov validation/rejection process in 
developing your application submission time line.

Grants.gov

    Getting started with Grants.gov is easy. Users should note that 
there are two key features on the Web site: Find Grant Opportunities 
and Apply for Grants. The site is designed to support these two 
features and your use of them.
    While you can begin searching for grant opportunities immediately, 
it is recommended that you complete the steps to Get Started (below) 
ahead of time. This will help ensure you are ready to go when you find 
an opportunity for which you would like to apply.

Applications From Individuals

    In order for you to apply as an individual the announcement must 
specify that the program is open to individuals and it must be 
published on the Grants.gov Web site. Individuals must register with 
the Credential Provider (see Step 3 below) and with Grants.gov (see 
Step 4 below). Individuals do not need a DUNS number to register (see 
Step 4 below) and submit their applications. The system will generate a 
default value in that field.

Grants.gov Application Submission and Receipt Procedures

    This section provides the application submission and receipt 
instructions for NOAA program applications. Please read the following 
instructions carefully and completely.
    1. Electronic Delivery. NOAA is participating in the Grants.gov 
Initiative that provides the Grant Community a single site to find and 
apply for grant funding opportunities. NOAA encourages applicants to 
submit their applications electronically through: https://
www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp.
    2. The following describes what to expect when applying on line 
using Grants.gov/Apply:
    a. Instructions. On the site, you will find step-by-step 
instructions which enable you to apply for NOAA funds. The Grants.gov/
Apply feature includes a simple, unified application process that makes 
it possible for applicants to apply for grants online. There are six 
``Get Started'' steps to complete at Grants.gov. The information 
applicants need to understand and execute the steps can be found at: 
https://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp. Applicants should 
read the Get Started steps carefully. The site also contains 
registration checklists to help you walk through the process. NOAA 
recommends that you download the checklists and prepare the information 
requested before beginning the registration process. Reviewing and 
assembling required information before beginning the registration 
process will make the process fast and smooth and save time.
    b. DUNS Requirement. All applicants applying for funding, including 
renewal funding, must have a Dun and Bradstreet Universal Data 
Numbering System (DUNS) number. The DUNS number must be included in the 
data entry field labeled ``Organizational Duns'' on the form SF-424. 
Instructions for obtaining a DUNS number can be found at the following 
Web site: https://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp.
    c. Central Contractor Registry and Credential Provider 
Registration. In addition to having a DUNS number, applicants applying 
electronically through Grants.gov must register with the Federal 
Central Contractor Registry and with a Credential Provider. The https://
www.grants.gov Web site at https://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_
registered.jsp provides step-by-step instructions for registering in 
the Central Contractor Registry and for registering with a credential 
provider. All applicants filing electronically must register with the 
Central Contractor Registry and receive credentials from the Grants.gov 
credential provider in order to apply on line. Failure to register with 
the Central Contractor Registry and credential provider will result in 
your application being rejected by the Grants.gov portal.
    The registration process is a separate process from submitting an 
application. Applicants are, therefore, encouraged to register early. 
The registration process can take approximately two weeks to be 
completed. Therefore, registration should be done in sufficient time to 
ensure it does not impact your ability to meet required submission 
deadlines. You will be able to submit your application online anytime 
after you receive your e-authentication credentials.
    d. Electronic Signature. Applications submitted through Grants.gov 
constitute submission as electronically signed applications. The 
registration and e-authentication process establishes the Authorized 
Organization Representative (AOR). When you submit the application 
through Grants.gov, the name of your authorized organization 
representative on file will be inserted into the signature line of the 
application. Applicants must register the individual who is able to 
make legally binding commitments for the applicant organization as the 
Authorized Organization Representative.
    3. Instructions on how to submit an electronic application to NOAA 
via Grants.gov/Apply:
    Grants.gov has a full set of instructions on how to apply for funds 
on its Web site at: https://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_
grants.jsp. The following provides simple guidance on what you will 
find on the Grants.gov/Apply site. Applicants are encouraged to read 
through the page entitled, ``Complete Application Package'' before 
getting started. Grants.gov allows applicants to download the 
application package, instructions and forms that are incorporated in 
the instructions, and work off line. In addition to forms that are part 
of the application instructions, there will be a series of electronic 
forms that are provided utilizing an Adobe Reader.

    Note for the Adobe Reader: Grants.gov is only compatible with 
versions 8.1.1 and above. Please do not use lower versions of the 
Adobe Reader.

Mandatory Fields on Adobe Reader Forms
    In the Adobe forms you will note fields that appear with a yellow 
background and red outline color. These fields are mandatory and must 
be completed to successfully submit your application. The Adobe forms 
are designed to fill in common required fields such as the applicant 
name and address, DUNS number, etc., on all Adobe electronic forms. To 
trigger this feature, an applicant must complete the SF-424 information 
first. Once it is completed the information will transfer to the other 
forms.
Customer Support
    The Grants.gov Web site provides customer support via (800) 518-
4726 (this is a toll-free number) or through e-mail at 
support@grants.gov. The Contact Center is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
Eastern time, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays, to 
address Grants.gov technology issues. For

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technical assistance to program related questions, contact the number 
listed in the Program Section of the program you are applying for.

4. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

    a. Electronic Submission. All applications must be received by 
https://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp by the Time on 
the due date established for each program. Proof of timely submission 
is automatically recorded by Grants.gov. An electronic time stamp is 
generated within the system when the application is successfully 
received by Grants.gov. The applicant will receive an acknowledgement 
of receipt and a tracking number from Grants.gov with the successful 
transmission of their application. Applicants should print this receipt 
and save it, along with facsimile receipts for information provided by 
facsimile, as proof of timely submission. When NOAA successfully 
retrieves the application from Grants.gov, Grants.gov will provide an 
electronic acknowledgment of receipt to the e-mail address of the AOR. 
Proof of Timely submission shall be the date and time that Grants.gov 
receives your application. Applications received by Grants.gov, after 
the established due date for the program will be considered late and 
will not be considered for funding by NOAA.

    Please Note: Validation or rejection of your application by 
Grants.gov may take up to 2 business days after your submission. 
Please consider the Grants.gov validation/rejection process in 
developing your application submission time line.

    NOAA suggests that applicants submit their applications during the 
operating hours of Grants.gov, so that if there are questions 
concerning transmission, operators will be available to walk you 
through the process. Submitting your application during the Contact 
Center hours will also ensure that you have sufficient time for the 
application to complete its transmission prior to the application 
deadline. Applicants using dial-up connections should be aware that 
transmission may take some time before Grants.gov receives it. 
Grants.gov will provide either an error or a successfully received 
transmission message. The Grants.gov program office reports that some 
applicants abort the transmission because they think that nothing is 
occurring during the transmission process. Please be patient and give 
the system time to process the application. Uploading and transmitting 
many files, particularly electronic forms with associated XML schemas, 
will take some time to be processed.

Evaluation Criteria and Selection Procedures

    NOAA has standardized the evaluation and selection process for its 
competitive assistance programs. There are two separate sets of 
evaluation criteria and selection procedures (see below), one for 
project proposals, and the other for fellowship, scholarship, and 
internship programs.

Project Proposals

    Review and Selection Process: Some project proposals may include a 
pre-application process that provides for feedback to applicants that 
responded to a call for letters of intent or pre-proposals; however, 
not all programs will include this pre-application. If a program has a 
pre-application process, it will be described in the Summary 
Description section of the announcement and the deadline will be 
specified in the Application Deadline section.
    Upon receipt of a full application by NOAA, an initial 
administrative review will be conducted to determine compliance with 
requirements and completeness of the application. A merit review will 
also be conducted 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 administrative 
and/or merit review(s) and selection factors listed below. The 
Selecting Official selects proposals after considering the 
administrative and/or merit 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 award recommendations to the Grants Officer authorized to 
obligate the funds.

Evaluation Criteria

    Each reviewer (each announcement will specify the number and type 
of reviewers) will individually evaluate and rank proposals using the 
following evaluation criteria:
    1. Importance and/or relevance and applicability of a proposed 
project to the program goals: This ascertains whether there is 
intrinsic value in the proposed work and/or relevance to NOAA, Federal 
(other than NOAA), 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 project's budget is evaluated to determine if 
it is realistic and commensurate with the project needs and timeframe.
    5. Outreach and education: NOAA assesses whether this project 
provides a focused and effective education and outreach strategy 
regarding its mission to protect the Nation's natural resources.

Selection Factors

    The merit review ratings will be used to 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 listed 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, and
    e. By project types.
    3. Whether the 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 to make a National 
Environmental Policy Act determination and draft necessary 
documentation before funding recommendations are made to the Grants 
Officer.

Fellowship, Scholarship and Internship Programs Review and Selection 
Process

    Some fellowship, scholarship and internship programs may include a 
pre-application process that provides for feedback to the applicants 
that have responded to a call for letters of intent or pre-proposals; 
however, not all programs will include this pre-

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application. If a program has a pre-application process, the process 
will be described in the Summary Description section of the 
announcement and the deadline will be specified in the Application 
Deadline section. Upon receipt of a full application by NOAA, an 
initial administrative review will be conducted to determine compliance 
with requirements and completeness of the application.
    A merit review will also be conducted 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 administrative and/or merit review(s) and selection factors listed 
below. The Selecting Official selects proposals after considering the 
administrative and/or merit 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 award recommendations to the Grants Officer authorized to 
obligate the funds.

Evaluation Criteria

    Each reviewer (each announcement will specify the number and type 
of reviewers) will individually evaluate and rank proposals using the 
following evaluation criteria.
    1. Academic record and statement of career goals and objectives of 
the student.
    2. Quality of project and applicability to program priorities.
    3. Recommendations and/or endorsements of the student.
    4. Additional relevant experience related to diversity of 
education; extra-curricular activities; honors and awards; and 
interpersonal, written, and oral communications skills.
    5. Financial need of the student.

Selection Factors

    The merit review ratings will be used to provide a rank order by 
the Selecting Official for final funding recommendations. A Program 
Officer may first make recommendations to the Selecting Official by 
applying the selection factors listed 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 funds.
    2. Balance/distribution of funds:
    a. Across academic disciplines,
    b. By types of institutions, and
    c. Geographically.
    3. Program-specific objectives.
    4. Degree in scientific area and type of degree sought.

III. NOAA Project Competitions

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)

1. 2010 Herring Research Set-Aside (RSA)
    Summary Description: NMFS, in cooperation with the New England 
Fishery Management Council (Council), is soliciting 2010 Atlantic 
Herring (herring) Research Set-Aside (RSA) proposals that address 
research priorities concerning the herring fishery. The Herring RSA 
Program was created by the Council as a vehicle to fund research 
projects through the sale of research quota. Under this program, the 
Council may set aside up to 3 percent of the total allowable landings 
(TAL) to fund selected projects. Proceeds from the sale of research 
quota are used to pay for research costs and to compensate fishing 
vessels that harvest research quota. Participating vessels may be 
authorized to harvest and land fish in excess of Federal possession 
limits and/or during fishery closures. No Federal funds are provided 
for research under this notification. NMFS and the Council will give 
priority to funding proposals addressing the research needs identified 
in Section I-B of this document.
    Funding Availability: No Federal funds are provided for research 
under this notification, but rather the opportunity to fish with the 
catch sold to generate income. Individual research projects may apply 
for the use of more than one herring research set-aside allocation from 
the 2010 fishing year. The research compensation trips must be 
conducted in the management area from which the set-aside was derived. 
In addition, research quota must be harvested in the same fishing year 
from which it was distributed. No more than 50 percent of an allocated 
set-aside should be taken before the research begins. Research quota 
does not need to be harvested during research activities. To establish 
an approximate value on research quota, the value of herring when it is 
harvested in 2010 must be estimated. This Federal Funding Opportunity 
(FFO) uses an estimated price based on the average 2008 price of $248 
per metric ton (mt), or $0.11 per lb, as established through herring 
dealer reports. By requiring researchers to use this price in 
requesting RSA quota, all proposals will relate herring catch to 
research costs similarly. The Federal Government may issue an Exempted 
Fishing Permit (EFP), which may provide special fishing privileges in 
response to research proposals selected under this program. Funds 
generated from RSA landings shall be used to cover the cost of the 
research activities, including vessel costs, and to compensate vessels 
for expenses incurred during the harvest of research quota. For 
example, the funds may be used to pay for gear modifications, 
monitoring equipment, additional provisions (e.g., fuel, ice, food for 
scientists), or the salaries of research personnel.
    The Federal Government is not liable for any costs incurred by the 
researcher or vessel owner should the sale of research quota not fully 
reimburse the researcher or vessel owner for their expenses. Any 
additional funds generated through the sale of fish harvested under the 
research quota above the cost of research activities shall be retained 
by the vessel owner as compensation for the use of his/her vessel. If a 
research project is terminated for any reason prior to completion, any 
funds collected from the catch sold to pay for research expenses must 
be turned over to the U.S. Treasury. RSA quota available to applicants 
under the 2010 Herring RSA Program will be established through the 2010 
quota specification rulemaking process. The Council is scheduled to 
establish the 2010 herring quota, including the RSA quota, in 2009. 
Based on Council recommendations, NMFS may choose to adopt less than 3 
percent of TAL as a set-aside, or decide not to adopt any set-aside for 
a given fishery. The value of RSA quota will be dictated by market 
conditions prevailing at the time the compensation fishing trips are 
conducted. To help researchers develop proposals and proposal budgets 
for the 2010 Herring RSA Program, recent quota amount and quota value 
information is listed below as an example. This information is for 
guidance purposes only; it does not reflect actual RSA quota amounts or 
quota values that will be in effect for the 2010 fishing year. RSA 
quota amounts are based on 2008/2009 FMP specifications. RSA quota 
values are based on NMFS dealer database landings information. This 
information is listed below in the following format: Management Area/
RSA quota amount (mt/lbs)/RSA quota total value. Management Area 1A/
1350 mt/2,976,240 lbs/$334,800, Management Area 1B/300 mt/661,386 lbs/
$74,400, Management Area 2/900 mt/1,984,160

[[Page 78]]

lbs/$223,200, Management Area 3/1800 mt/3,968,320 lbs/$446,400.
    Statutory Authority: Statutory authority for this program is 
provided under 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. Statutory 
authority for entering into cooperative agreements and other financial 
agreements with non-profit organizations is found at 15 U.S.C. 1540. 
Amendment 1 of the Herring FMP established the Herring RSA Program (72 
FR 11251; March 12, 2007), codified at 50 CFR 648.207.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.454, 
Unallied Management Projects.
    Application Deadline: Applications must be received and validated 
by Grants.gov on or before 5 p.m. EST on February 17, 2009. 
Applications submitted through Grants.gov will have a date and time 
indication on them. Hard copy applications will be date and time 
stamped when they are received.

    Please Note: It may take Grants.gov up to two (2) business days 
to validate or reject the application. Please keep this in mind in 
developing your submission timeline.

    Address for Submitting Proposals: To apply for this NOAA Federal 
funding opportunity, please submit applications to https://
www.grants.gov and use the following funding opportunity number NMFS-
NEFSC-2010-2001653. Applicants who do not have Internet access may 
submit their application to Cheryl A. Corbett, NMFS, Northeast 
Fisheries Science Center, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543.
    Information Contacts: Information may be obtained from Paul Howard, 
Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council, by phone at 
978-465-0492, or fax at 978-465-3116; or Cheryl A. Corbett, NMFS, 
Northeast Fisheries Science Center, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 
02543, or by phone at 508-495-2070, or fax at 508-495-2004, or via e-
mail at cheryl.corbett@noaa.gov, or Ryan Silva, Cooperative Research 
Liaison, NMFS, Northeast Regional Office by phone at 978-281-9326, or 
via e-mail at ryan.silva@noaa.gov.
    Eligibility: 1. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher 
education, hospitals, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, 
individuals, and 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 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 required.
    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. 2010 Mid-Atlantic Research Set-Aside (RSA)

    Summary Description: NMFS, in cooperation with the Mid-Atlantic 
Fishery Management Council (Council), is soliciting proposals under the 
2010 Mid-Atlantic Research Set-Aside (RSA) Program that address 
research priorities concerning the summer flounder, scup, black sea 
bass, Loligo squid, Illex squid, Atlantic mackerel, butterfish, 
bluefish, and tilefish fisheries. The Mid-Atlantic RSA Program was 
created by the Council as a vehicle to fund research projects through 
the sale of research quota. Under this program, the Council may set 
aside up to 3 percent of the total allowable landings (TAL) from the 
above listed species to fund selected projects. Proceeds from the sale 
of research quota are used to pay for research costs and to compensate 
fishing vessels that harvest research quota.
    Participating vessels may be authorized to harvest and land fish in 
excess of Federal possession limits and/or during fishery closures. No 
Federal funds are provided for research under this notification. NMFS 
and the Council will give priority to funding proposals addressing the 
research needs identified in Section I-B of this document.
    Funding Availability: No Federal funds are provided for research 
under this notification, but rather the opportunity to fish with the 
catch sold to generate research funds and to provide compensation for 
harvesting of RSA quota. The Federal Government may issue an exempted 
fishing permit (EFP) to selected projects, which may provide special 
fishing privileges, such as exemption from possession limits and 
fishery closures. Funds generated from RSA landings shall be used to 
cover the cost of the research activities, including vessel costs, and 
to compensate boats for expenses incurred during the collection of the 
set-aside species. For example, the funds may be used to pay for gear 
modifications, monitoring equipment, additional provisions (e.g., fuel, 
ice, food for scientists), or the salaries of research personnel. The 
Federal Government is not liable for any costs incurred by the 
researcher or vessel owner should the sale of RSA quota not fully 
reimburse the researcher or vessel owner for his/her expenses. Any 
additional funds generated through the sale of fish harvested under the 
research quota above the cost of the research activities shall be 
retained by the vessel owner as compensation for the use of his/her 
vessel. If a research project is terminated for any reason prior to 
completion, any funds collected from the catch sold to pay for research 
expenses must be turned over to the U.S. Treasury. The Council, in 
consultation with the Commission, will incorporate RSA quotas for each 
of the set-aside species for the 2010 fishing year into the Council's 
annual quota specification recommendations. NMFS will consider the 
recommended level of RSA as part of the associated rulemaking process. 
RSA quota available to applicants under the 2010 Mid-Atlantic RSA 
Program will be established through the 2010 quota specification 
rulemaking process. The Council is scheduled to establish quotas, 
including RSA quotas, by the end of 2009. Based on Council 
recommendations, NMFS may choose to adopt less than 3 percent of TAL as 
a set-aside, or decide not to adopt any set-aside for a given fishery.
    The value of RSA quota will be dictated by market conditions 
prevailing at the time the compensation fishing trips are conducted. To 
help researchers develop proposals and proposal budgets for the 2010 
Mid-Atlantic RSA Program, recent quota amount and quota value 
information is listed below. This information is for guidance purposes 
only; it does not reflect actual RSA

[[Page 79]]

quota amounts or quota values that will be in effect for fishing year 
2010. RSA quota amounts are based on 2009 FMP specifications proposed 
by the Council. RSA quota values are based on landings data taken from 
Fisheries of the United States, 2007. This information is listed below 
in the following format: Species/RSA quota amount (lb)/RSA quota total 
value/RSA value per pound. Summer flounder/553,500 lb/$1,311,795/$2.37 
lb, Scup/220,200 lb/$195,978/$0.89 lb, Black sea bass/69,000 lb/
$195,270/$2.83 lb, Loligo squid/1,124,356 lb/$966,946/$0.86 lb, 
Bluefish/743,965 lb/$260,388/$0.35 lb, Butterfish/33,069 lb/$15,542/
$0.47 lb, Illex squid/1,587,328 lb/$301,592/$0.19 lb (no Ilex squid was 
requested), Atlantic mackerel/7,645,948 lb/$917,514/$0.12 (no Atlantic 
mackerel was requested), Tilefish/0 lb/$0/$0 lb.
    Statutory Authority: Statutory authority for this program is 
provided under 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. Statutory 
authority for entering into cooperative agreements and other financial 
agreements with non-profit organizations is found at 15 U.S.C. 1540. 
Framework Adjustment 1 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass 
FMP, Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish FMP, Bluefish FMP, and 
Tilefish FMP established the Mid-Atlantic RSA Program (66 FR 42156, 
August 10, 2001), which is codified in regulations at 50 CFR 648.21(g).
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.454, 
Unallied Management Projects.
    Application Deadline: Applications must be received and validated 
by Grants.gov on or before 5 p.m. EST on March 3, 2009. Applications 
submitted through Grants.gov will have a date and time indication on 
them. Hard copy applications will be date and time stamped when they 
are received.

    Please Note: It may take Grants.gov up to two (2) business days 
to validate or reject the application. Please keep this in mind in 
developing your submission timeline.

    Address for Submitting Proposals: To apply for this NOAA Federal 
Funding Opportunity, please submit applications to https://
www.grants.gov and use the following funding opportunity number: NMFS-
NEFSC-2010-2001654. Applicants who do not have Internet access may 
submit their application to Cheryl A. Corbett, NMFS, Northeast 
Fisheries Science Center, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543.
    Information Contacts: Information may be obtained from Clay Heaton, 
Fishery Management Specialist, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 
by phone 302-674-2331 ext. 13, or via e-mail at cheaton@mafmc.org; or 
Cheryl A. Corbett, Cooperative Programs Specialist, NMFS, Northeast 
Fisheries Science Center, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543, or by 
phone at 508-495-2070, or fax at 508-495-2004, or via e-mail at 
cheryl.corbett@noaa.gov; or from Ryan Silva, Cooperative Research 
Liaison, NMFS, Northeast Regional Office, by phone 978-281-9326, or via 
e-mail at ryan.silva@noaa.gov.
    Eligibility: 1. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher 
education, hospitals, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, 
individuals, and 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 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 required.
    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.''
3. FY09 Hawaii Seafood Program
    Summary Description: The National Marine Fisheries Service NOAA/
NMFS) is soliciting competitive applications for the FY09 Hawaii 
Seafood Program. The Hawaii Seafood Program is designed to help 
strengthen and to sustain the economic viability of Hawaii's fishing 
and seafood industry through activities that promote Hawaii fisheries 
products as high-quality and safe domestic seafood produced by a 
responsible and well-managed fishery. Projects may seek support for 
cooperative seafood safety research, technical assistance, and/or 
seafood education.
    Funding Availability: Total funding available under this notice is 
anticipated to be approximately $700,000. Actual funding availability 
for this program is contingent upon FY09 Congressional appropriations. 
Proposals in any amount may be submitted, but awards in excess of 
$250,000 are unlikely. Award amounts will be determined by the 
proposals and available funds. There is no set minimum or maximum 
amount, within the available funding, for any award. There is also no 
limit on the number of applications that can be submitted by the same 
applicant; however, multiple applications submitted by the same 
applicant must clearly identify different projects. If an application 
for a financial assistance award is selected for funding, NOAA/NMFS has 
no obligation to provide any additional funding in connection with that 
award in subsequent years. Notwithstanding verbal or written assurance 
that may have been received, pre-award costs are not allowed under the 
award unless approved by the NOAA Grants Officer.
    Statutory Authority: The statutory authority for the Hawaii Seafood 
Program is 15 U.S.C. 713c-3(d).
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.452, 
Unallied Industry Projects.
    Application Deadline: Applications must be received and validated 
by Grants.gov on or before 5 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time on February 13, 
2009. Applications submitted through Grants.gov will have a date and 
time indication on them. Hard copy applications will be date and time 
stamped when they are received.

    Please Note: It may take Grants.gov up to two (2) business days 
to validate or reject the application. Please keep this in mind in 
developing your submission timeline.

    Address for Submitting Proposals: Proposals should be submitted 
through Grants.gov. For those applicants without Internet access, 
proposals should be submitted to NOAA Federal Program Officer, Pacific 
Islands Regional Office, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 1110, Honolulu, 
Hawaii 96814.
    Information Contacts: If you have any questions regarding this 
proposal solicitation, please contact Scott W.S. Bloom at the NOAA/NMFS 
Pacific

[[Page 80]]

Islands Regional Office, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Honolulu, Hawaii 96814, 
by phone at 808-944-2218, or by e-mail at Scott.Bloom@noaa.gov.
    Eligibility: Eligible applicants are individuals, institutions of 
higher education, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, 
international organizations, foreign governments, organizations under 
the jurisdiction of foreign governments, and state, local and Indian 
tribal governments. Federal agencies, or employees of Federal agencies, 
are not eligible to apply. The Department of Commerce/National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration (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 undeserved areas. The 
Hawaii Seafood Program encourages proposals involving any of the above 
institutions.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: No cost sharing or matching is required 
under this program but is encouraged.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are 
subject to Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs.
4. New Bedford Harbor Restoration Projects (IV)
    Summary Description: The New Bedford Harbor Trustee Council 
(Trustee Council or Council) is responsible for restoration of natural 
resources injured through the release of polychlorinated biphenyls 
(PCBs) and other hazardous substances into the New Bedford Harbor 
Environment. The Council consists of the: (1) Massachusetts Executive 
Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs; (2) U.S. Department of 
Commerce, NOAA represented by the National Marine Fisheries Service; 
and (3) U.S. Department of the Interior represented by the U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service. Using settlement funds, the Council plans and 
implements projects that restore, replace or acquire the equivalent of 
the natural resources that have been injured. The Council intends to 
fund up to $6.0 million for restoration projects addressing the natural 
resource injury within the New Bedford Harbor Environment. Funding will 
be provided through grants or cooperative agreements issued through 
NOAA on behalf of the Council. Approved projects that involve 
activities not eligible for NOAA Grants may receive funds through other 
Trustee agencies.
    Funding Availability: This solicitation announces that funding of 
up to $6,000,000 is expected to be available for the Council's Round IV 
restoration projects. Based upon previous rounds, the Council 
anticipates that typical project awards will range from $20,000 to 
$2,000,000. There is no guarantee that sufficient funds will be 
available to make awards for all proposals. The number of awards to be 
made as a result of this solicitation will depend on the number of 
eligible applications received, the amount of funds requested for 
initiating restoration projects by the applicants, and the merit and 
ranking of the proposals.
    Publication of this notice does not obligate NOAA to fund any 
specific project or obligate all or any parts of any available funds.
    Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 661-667e, 42 U.S.C. 9601-9626.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.463, 
Habitat Conservation.
    Application Deadline: Applications must be received and validated 
by Grants.gov on or before 5 p.m. EST on February 17, 2009. 
Applications submitted through Grants.gov will have a date and time 
indication on them. Hard copy applications will be date and time 
stamped when they are received.


    Please Note: It may take Grants.gov up to two (2) business days 
to validate or reject the application. Please keep this in mind in 
developing your submission timeline.


    Applications that are postmarked after the deadline date and time 
will not be considered for funding. No facsimile or electronic mail 
applications will be accepted.
    Address for Submitting Proposals: Electronic submission online: 
https://www.grants.gov. Paper submission: New Bedford Harbor Trustee 
Council, c/o National Marine Fisheries Service, 1 Blackburn Drive, 
Gloucester, MA 01930-2298, Attn: Jack Terrill, 978-281-9136.
    Information Contacts: For further information, contact the Trustee 
Council Coordinator: Jack Terrill, New Bedford Harbor Trustee Council, 
c/o National Marine Fisheries Service, 55 Great Republic Drive, 
Gloucester, MA 01930-2298, telephone 978-281-9136, e-mail 
jack.terrill@noaa.gov.
    Eligibility: Eligible applicants include state, local and Indian 
tribal governments, institutions of higher education, other nonprofit 
and commercial organizations and individuals whose projects have the 
potential to benefit the impacted natural resources.
    Applications from Federal agencies or employees of Federal agencies 
can be submitted but cannot be considered for NOAA grants. Such 
applications may be funded through the other Trustee Council agencies. 
The Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (DOC/NOAA) and the Council are 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. The 
Council encourages proposals involving any of the above institutions.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: One way of extending the fixed amount of 
funds that the Council has to work with is through cost sharing (often 
referred to as providing matching funds). While it is not required that 
applications contain cost sharing, the Council strongly encourages 
respondents to consider cost sharing, and if it is appropriate for a 
project, to discuss within the application the degree to which cost 
sharing may be possible. If cost sharing is proposed, applicants are 
asked to account for both the Council and non-Council amounts. This 
information will allow the Council to better plan for potential funding 
awards and future expenditures.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program are 
subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental 
Review of Federal Programs. Any applicant submitting an application for 
funding is required to complete Item 16 on SF-424 regarding clearance 
by the State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) established as a result of 
EO 12372. To find out about and comply with a State's process under EO 
12372, the names, addresses and phone numbers of participating SPOCs 
are listed on the Office of Management and Budget's home page at: 
https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.
5. Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund
    Summary Description: NOAA announces the availability of Pacific 
Coastal Salmon Recovery Funds (PCSRF), as authorized in the Northern 
Boundary and Transboundary Rivers Restoration and Enhancement Fund and 
Southern Boundary Restoration and Enhancement Fund (16 U.S.C. 3645), to 
support the restoration and conservation of Pacific salmon and 
steelhead populations and their habitat. The program provides funding 
to the States of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California for 
salmon habitat restoration, salmon stock enhancement, sustainable 
salmon fisheries and salmon

[[Page 81]]

research. It also provides funding to the Pacific Coastal tribes and 
the Columbia River tribes as authorized in 16 U.S.C. 3645(d)(2)(B) for 
salmon habitat restoration, salmon stock enhancement, salmon research 
and supplementation activities.
    Funding Availability: Up to $67,000,000 may be available in fiscal 
year (FY) 2009 for projects as authorized under 16 U.S.C. 3645(d)(2). 
There are no restrictions on minimum funding requests, but there is a 
limit of $25,000,000 on a maximum amount requested by any recipient. 
Award periods may be up to a maximum of 5 years. Actual funding 
availability for this program is contingent upon FY 2009 Congressional 
appropriations.
    Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 3645(d)(2).
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.438, 
Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery--Pacific Salmon Treaty Program.
    Application Deadline: Pre-Applications are not mandatory, but 
highly encouraged. They must be received no later than February 2, 2009 
if the applicant expects to receive any feedback from NMFS on 
completeness of package and initial determination of compliance with 
requirements. Final Applications should be submitted via https://
www.grants.gov and must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. PST on 
February 17, 2009. No facsimile or electronic mail applications will be 
accepted. Paper applications must be postmarked by February 17, 2009. 
Any application transmitted or postmarked, as the case may be, after 
the deadline will be considered non-responsive and will not be 
considered for funding in this competition. Applications submitted 
through Grants.gov will have a date and time indication on them. Hard 
copy applications will be date and time stamped when they are received.


    Please Note: It may take Grants.gov up to two (2) business days 
to validate or reject the application. Please keep this in mind in 
developing your submission timeline.


    Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications should be submitted 
online through the Grants.gov Web site at https://www.grants.gov. If 
online submission is not possible, paper applications may be mailed to 
Barry Thom or Nicolle Hill at 7600 Sand Point Way, NE., Seattle, WA 
98115-6349.
    Information Contacts: For further information on PCSRF, please 
contact Barry Thom, NMFS Northwest Region Deputy Regional 
Administrator, at (503) 231-6266. Questions regarding this announcement 
should be directed to Nicolle Hill, NMFS Northwest Region PCSRF Federal 
Program Officer, at (206) 526-4358 or Nicolle.Hill@noaa.gov.
    Eligibility: Eligible state applicants are the States of Alaska, 
Washington, Oregon, Idaho and California. Eligible tribal applicants 
are any federally recognized Pacific Coastal or Columbia River tribes 
in Washington, Oregon, California or Idaho.
    Cost Sharing Requirements: Applicants are required to match 33% of 
received Federal funds. Indian tribes are exempt from any cost share 
requirement.
    Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this program from 
state or local governments are subject to the provisions of Executive 
Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''
6. Proactive Species Conservation Program
    Summary Description: The NMFS is seeking to provide federal 
assistance, in the form of grants or cooperative agreements, to support 
conservation efforts for the current list of marine and anadromous 
species under the Proactive Species Conservation Program. The program 
supports voluntary conservation efforts designed to conserve marine and 
anadromous species before they reach the point at which listing as 
threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) becomes 
necessary. Such proactive conservation efforts can serve as an 
efficient, non-regulatory, and cost-effective means of managing 
potentially at-risk species. To raise awareness of potentially at-risk 
species and to foster their proactive conservation, the NMFS created a 
`species of concern' list in April 2004 (69 FR 19975). `Species of 
concern' are species that are potentially at risk of becoming 
threatened or endangered or may potentially require protections under 
the ESA, yet for which sufficient data are lacking. The species-of-
concern status carries no procedural or regulatory protections under 
the ESA. The list of species of concern and descriptions of each 
species are available at https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/concern/
#list. Under this solicitation, any state, territorial, tribal, or 
local entity that has authority to manage or regulate these species or 
activities that affect these species is eligible to apply to this grant 
program. This document describes how to submit proposals for funding in 
fiscal year (FY) 2009 and how the NMFS will determine which proposals 
will be funded.
    Funding Availability: This solicitation announces that 
approximately $200,000 may be available for distribution in FY 2009 
under the PSCP; there are no restrictions on minimum or maximum funding 
requests. Applicants may apply for funds for up to 5 years (see below) 
so the total amount requested over the life of the project may be more 
than $200,000, but the limit for FY 2009 should be $200,000. Actual 
funding availability for this program is contingent upon Fiscal Year 
2009 Congressional appropriations. Applicants are hereby given notice 
that funds have not yet been appropriated for this program. There is no 
guarantee that sufficient funds will be available to make awards for 
all qualified projects.
    Publication of this notice does not oblige the NMFS to award any 
specific project or to obligate any available funds; and, if an 
application is selected for funding, the NMFS has no o