[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 226 (Friday, November 25, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-29036]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 25, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 2118]

 

Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific 
Affairs; United States Man and the Biosphere Program: Request for 
Proposals for the Biosphere Reserve Directorate

    The Biosphere Reserve (BR) Directorate of the U.S. Man and the 
Biosphere Program (U.S. MAB) announces a catalytic grants program to 
support Biosphere Reserve workshops and partnership-building activities 
that promote cooperative regional, ecosystem-based initiatives.
    A total of $50,000 is available to support small grants in two 
distinct categories: (1) $20,000 in total for conferences, workshops or 
forums; and (2) $30,000 in total for partnership projects. The 
projected maximum single grant award is $10,000. Grants are expected to 
average between $4,000 and $8,000. Persons interested in applying for 
these grants are encouraged to first obtain a copy of Strategic Plan 
for the U.S. Biosphere Reserve Program, from the U.S. MAB Secretariat.

Funding Objectives

    The purpose of the grants is to assist projects that produce short-
term tangible results furthering the mission of the United States 
Biosphere Reserve Program as defined in, Strategic Plan for the U.S. 
Biosphere Reserve Program, dated November 1994.
    ``The mission of the U.S. Biosphere Reserve Program is to establish 
and support a U.S. network of designated biosphere reserves that are 
fully representative of the biogeographical areas of the United States. 
The program promotes a sustainable balance among the conservation of 
biological diversity, compatible economic use, and cultural values, 
through public and private partnerships, interdisciplinary research, 
education, and communication.''

Focal Issues

    Within the mission of the U.S. Biosphere Reserve Program, the 
directorate seeks to support two to four conferences in 1995. A wide 
range of conference and workshop topics are eligible. For example: A 
forum for Biosphere Reserves stakeholders at a single Biosphere 
Reserves unit or cluster of units; a regional or local vision setting 
workshop; or a conference for Biosphere Reserves stakeholders from 
throughout a region focusing on an issue or management approach of 
shared interest. Other ideas for conferences and workshop topics 
promoting the mission of Biosphere Reserves are welcome.
    The U.S. Biosphere Reserve Directorate also intends to support 
three to six partnership projects in 1995. Proposals are sought which 
strengthen cooperative relationships for enhancing the functions of 
Biosphere Reserves. Innovative and new approaches to conservation 
challenges will be given priority. Examples of eligible projects could 
include: Assessing natural or cultural resources; building public 
support for conservation and sustainable development; fostering 
demonstrations of cooperative ecosystem management or, developing local 
planning mechanisms. Other ideas for partnership projects that promote 
the mission of Biosphere Reserves are welcome. Feasibility studies of 
expanding the activities of existing Biosphere Reserves to more fully 
implement the regional, ecosystem-based mission of the BR program also 
are encouraged. However, feasibility studies for designating new 
Biosphere Reserve units are ineligible.
    Proposals may include a request for staff support only if the 
proposal and the staff position are related to expanding the regional 
activities of a Biosphere Reserve or promoting a cooperative program 
involving multiple agencies and nongovernmental partners.

Proposal Content

    Each proposal should have a title page and a one page synopsis of 
the proposal activities.
    A maximum of three additional pages should describe: (1) The 
affected Biosphere Reserve or Biosphere Reserve Cluster; (2) the 
applicant's relationship to the Biosphere Reserve; (3) the proposed 
conference or partnership project; (4) how the proposed conference or 
project relates to past, current, and projected BR activities at the 
site; (5) how the proposal complies generally and specifically with the 
evaluation criteria; and (6) how the results of the conference or 
activity will be evaluated.
    All proposals must also include a one page itemized budget 
including personnel, travel, operation, equipment/supplies with 
justification. The budget page should show the status of any matching 
funds to the proposed activity.
    A one-page map of the affected Biosphere Reserve, showing if 
possible, the BR zonation and if applicable, the site of the proposed 
activities must be included.
    The last page of the proposal should be a one-page letter of 
endorsement from the Biosphere Reserve manager or managers. If the 
proposed activity would involve or benefit more than one Biosphere 
Reserve, one page letters of endorsement should indicate the support of 
the managers of the involved or affected Biosphere Reserves. Biosphere 
Reserve managers should endorse no more than one single proposal in 
each funding category this year.

Evaluation and Review Process

    A review panel of the U.S. Biosphere Reserve Directorate will 
evaluate proposals based upon the following criteria:
--Alignment of the proposal with the mission and goals of the United 
States Biosphere Reserve Program as defined in the ``Strategic Plan for 
the U.S. Biosphere Reserve Program'' dated November 1994, available 
from the U.S. MAB Secretariat, (address below);
--Likelihood that the proposal will result in tangible progress within 
a year toward promoting cooperative regional, ecosystem based 
initiatives that integrate conservation and sustainable development at 
Biosphere Reserve sites;
--Demonstrated local support for the project;
--Innovation in implementing Biosphere Reserve functions;
--Potential to apply the concept or project at other BR site;
--Extent to which grant funds will be leveraged with matching funds or 
support from other private or public sources;
--Capacity of the applicant to implement the proposal;
--Endorsement from Biosphere Reserve Manager(s).
    Limitations. Grants may not be used for: institution overhead 
academic research; acquisition of land, buildings, or capital 
equipment; general support of agency functions; or political 
activities. All grants should produce tangible results within one year.
    Deadlines. Proposals must be postmarked by January 31, 1995. Awards 
will be announced at the annual meeting of BR managers in the spring of 
1995. Principals will receive from the U.S. MAB Secretariat copies of 
all U.S. MAB/BR review evaluations of their proposals and a written 
notification of the directorate's decision on their proposal.
    For further information contact Dr. Roger Soles, U.S. MAB 
Secretariat, OES/EGC/MAB, Department of State, Washington, DC 20522. 
Tel. (703) 235-2946, Fax. (703) 235-3002.

Submission of Proposals

    Mail proposals to: U.S. Man and the Biosphere Program, OES/EGC/MAB, 
United States Department of State, Washington, DC 20522. Attention 
Biosphere Reserve Directorate.
    The deadline for proposals is January 31, 1995.

    Dated: November 14, 1994.
Roger E. Sole,
Executive Director, U.S. Man and the Biosphere Program, Office of 
Global Change.
[FR Doc. 94-29036 Filed 11-23-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-09-M