[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 190 (Monday, October 2, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51512-51513]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-24340]



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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 2245]


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 $100,000 is available to support small grants in two 
distinct categories: (1) Conferences, workshops or forums; and (2) 
partnership projects. The projected maximum single grant award is 
$15,000. Grants are expected to average between $7,000 and $10,000. 
Organizations and persons interested in applying for these grants are 
encouraged to first obtain a copy of the 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 December 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 

[[Page 51513]]
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 a wide 
range of conference and workshop topics are eligible. For example: a 
forum for Biosphere Reserve stakeholders at a single Biosphere Reserve 
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 
partnership projects. 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 for 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 partial 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, and 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 protected 
area(s), zone(s) of managed use, and zone of cooperation 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(s). 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 Strategic 
Plan for the U.S. Biosphere Reserve Program dated December 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 replicate the concept or project at other 
Biosphere Reserve sites;
     Extent to which grant funds will be leveraged with 
matching funds or support from other private or public sources;
     Demonstrated capacity of the applicant to implement the 
proposal;
     Endorsement from Biosphere Reserve Manager(s).

Limitations

    Grants may not be used for: feasibility studies for designating new 
biosphere reserves; institutional 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. Members of the Biosphere Reserve 
Directorate are not eligible to receive benefits from funds awarded 
through this request for proposals.
    Awards will be announced by January 31, 1996. 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.
    Submission of Proposals by December 1, 1995 and for further 
information: U.S. Man and the Biosphere Program, OES/ETC/MAB, 
Department of State, Washington, DC 20522-4401, Tel: (202) 776-8318, 
Fax: (202) 776-8367, Attn: Biosphere Reserve Directorate.

    Dated: August 22, 1995.
Roger E. Soles,
Executive Director, U.S. Man and the Biosphere Program, Office of 
Ecology and Terrestrial Conservation.
[FR Doc. 95-24340 Filed 9-29-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-09-M