[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 43 (Friday, March 5, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10628-10630]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5115]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 990125029-9029-01]
RIN 0648-ZA55


Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship National Sea Grant 
College Federal Fellows Program

AGENCY: Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces that applications may be submitted for a 
Fellowship program which was initiated by the National Sea Grant 
College Program Office (NSGCPO), in fulfilling its broad educational 
responsibilities, to provide educational experience in the policies and 
processes of the Legislative and Executive Branches of the Federal 
Government to graduate students in marine related fields. The 
Fellowship program accepts applications once a year during the month of 
September. All applicants must submit an application to one of the Sea 
Grant College Programs in their state. If there is no program in the 
applicant's state they should apply through the closest state Sea Grant 
College Program.

DATES: Deadlines vary from state to state, but are generally due in 
early August. Contact your state Sea Grant College Program for specific 
deadlines (see list below).

ADDRESSES: Applications should be addressed to the Sea Grant College 
Program in your state or the closest state. Contact your state Sea 
Grant College program for the mailing address from the list below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information and brochures can be 
obtained from Dr. Sharon H. Walker, Acting Director (until September 1, 
1999), or from Dr. Shirley J. Fiske, Director (after September 1), 
National Sea Grant Federal Fellows Program, National Sea Grant College 
Program, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, 
telephone (301) 713-2431 extension 148 or call your nearest Sea Grant 
program:

University of Alaska--(907) 474-7086
University of California--(619) 534-4440
University of Connecticut--(860) 405-9128
University of Delaware--(302) 831-2841
University of Florida--(352) 392-5870
University of Georgia--(706) 542-6009
University of Hawaii--(808) 956-7031
University of Illinois--(765) 494-3593
Louisiana State University--(504) 388-6710
University of Maine--(207) 581-1436
University of Maryland--(301) 405-6209
Massachusetts Institute of Technology--(617) 253-7131
University of Michigan--(734) 763-1437
University of Minnesota--(218) 726-8106
Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium--(228) 875-9341
University of New Hampshire--(603) 862-0122
New Jersey Marine Science Consortium--(732) 872-1300
State University of New York--(516) 632-6905
University of North Carolina--(919) 515-2454
The Ohio State University--(614) 292-8949
Oregon State University--(541) 737-2714
University of Puerto Rico--(787) 832-3585
Purdue University--(765) 494-3593
University of Rhode Island--(401) 874-6800
South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium--(843) 727-2078
University of Southern California--(213) 740-1961
Texas A&M University--(409) 845-3854
Virginia Graduate Marine Science Consortium--(804) 924-5965
University of Washington--(206) 543-6600

[[Page 10629]]

University of Wisconsin--(608) 262-0905
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute--(508) 289-2557

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship National Sea Grant 
College Federal Fellows Program

Purpose of the Fellowship Program

    In 1979, the National Sea Grant College Program Office (NSGCPO), in 
fulfilling its broad educational responsibilities, initiated a program 
to provide educational experience in the policies and processes of the 
Legislative and Executive Branches of the Federal Government to 
graduate students in marine related fields. The U.S. Congress 
recognized the value of this program and in 1987, Public Law 100-200 
stipulated that the Sea Grant Federal Fellows Program was to be a 
formal part of the National Sea Grant College Program Act. The 
recipients are designated Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellows 
pursuant to 33 U.S.C. 1127(b).

Announcement

    Fellows program announcements are sent annually to all 
participating Sea Grant institutions and campuses by the state Sea 
Grant Director upon receipt of notice from the National Sea Grant 
College Program Office (NSGCPO). A brochure describing the program is 
also available from the NSGCPO for distribution by both that office and 
the state Sea Grant programs.

Eligibility

    Any student who, on September 24, 1999, is in a master's, doctoral 
or professional program in a marine related field from any accredited 
institution of higher education in the United States may apply to the 
NSGCPO through the state or closest state Sea Grant program. NOAA makes 
financial assistance funds available to the National Sea Grant Colleges 
to implement the fellowship program. The National Sea Grant College 
Program is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under 
number 11.417: Sea Grant Support.

Deadlines

    Applications should be obtained from the state Sea Grant Director 
and the signed applications must be submitted by the date set in each 
state Sea Grant program's announcement (usually early to mid-
September). State Sea Grant programs may elect and forward to the 
National Office no more than four (4) finalists according to a 
selection criteria comparable to that used by the National Office in 
the national competition. Applications are to be submitted to the 
NSGCPO by the sponsoring state Sea Grant Director, no later than close 
of business on September 24th of any given year. The competitive 
selection process and subsequent notification will be completed by 
October 24th of any given year.

Stipend and Expenses

    For FY 2000 a Fellow will receive an award of $36,000 which is 
distributed between salary (stipend) and living expenses in accordance 
with University guidelines. Other expenses covered are travel, moving 
costs, health insurance and institutional overhead.

Application

    An application will include:

    Personal and academic resume or curriculum vitae.
    Personal education and career goal statement which emphasizes 
expectations from the experience in the way of career development 
(not to exceed 2 pages).
    No more than two letters of recommendation with at least one 
being from the student's major professor.
    A letter of endorsement from the sponsoring state Sea Grant 
Director.
    Copy of undergraduate and graduate student transcripts. No 
thesis papers, publications or other additional supporting documents 
are desired.

    It is our intent that all applicants be evaluated only on their 
ability, therefore letters of endorsements from members of Congress, 
friends, relatives or others will not be considered.
    Placement preference in the Executive or Legislative Branches of 
the Government may be stated, and will be honored to the extent 
possible.

Selection Criteria

    The selection criteria will include:

    Strength of academic performance.
    Communications skills (both written and oral).
    Diversity of academic background.
    Work experience.
    Support of major professor.
    Support of Sea Grant Director.
    Ability to work with people.

Selection

    Applicants will be individually reviewed and ranked, according to 
the criteria outlined above, by a panel including representation from 
(1) the Sea Grant Association, (2) the Office of Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Research, and (3) the current and possibly last past group 
of Fellows. The individuals representative of these groups will be 
chosen on a year by year basis according to availability, timing, and 
other exigencies. Relative weights for the evaluation criteria are 
equal. The Federal Fellowship Director of the National Sea Grant Office 
will then group the top-ranked applicants into two categories, 
legislative and executive, based upon the applicant's stated preference 
and/or judgment of the panel based upon material submitted. The number 
of fellows assigned to the Congress will be limited to 10.

Federal Policies and Procedures

    Fellows receive funds directly from the National Sea Grant 
Colleges, and are considered to be subrecipients of Federal assistance 
subject to all Federal laws and Federal and Commerce Department 
policies, regulations, and procedures applicable to Federal financial 
assistance awards.

Past Performance

    Unsatisfactory performance under prior Federal awards may result in 
an application not being considered for funding.

Pre-Award Activities

    If applicants incur any costs prior to an award being made, they do 
so solely at their own risk of not being reimbursed by the Government. 
Notwithstanding any verbal or written assurance that may have been 
received, there is no obligation on the part of Department of Commerce 
to cover pre-award costs.

No Obligation for Future Funding

    If an applicant is selected for funding, Department of Commerce has 
no obligation to provide any additional future funding in connection 
with that award. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the 
period of performance is at the total discretion of Department of 
Commerce.

Delinquent Federal Debts

    No award of Federal funds shall be made to a Fellows applicant who 
has an outstanding delinquent Federal debt or fine until either:

    i. The delinquent account is paid in full,
    ii. A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least 
one payment is received, or
    iii. Other arrangements satisfactory to Department of Commerce 
are made.

Name Check Review

    All non-profit and for-profit applicants are subject to a name 
check review process. Name checks are intended to reveal if any key 
individuals associated with the applicant have been convicted of or are 
presently facing criminal charges such as fraud, theft, perjury, or 
other matters which

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significantly reflect on the applicant's management honesty or 
financial integrity.

Primary Application Certifications

    All primary applicants must submit a completed Form CD-511, 
``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other 
Responsibility Matters: Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and 
Lobbying,'' and the following explanations are hereby provided:

i. Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension

    Prospective participants (as defined at 15 CFR Part 26, Section 
105) are subject to 15 CFR Part 26, ``Nonprocurement Debarment and 
Suspension'' and the related section of the certification form 
prescribed above applies;

ii. Drug-Free Workplace

    Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR Part 26, Section 605) are subject to 
15 CFR Part 26, Subpart F, ``Governmentwide Requirements for Drug-Free 
Workplace (Grants)'' and the related section of the certification form 
prescribed above applies;

iii. Anti-Lobbying

    Persons (as defined at 15 CFR Part 28, Section 105) are subject to 
the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352, ``Limitation on use of 
appropriated funds to influence certain Federal contracting and 
financial transactions,'' and the lobbying section of the certification 
form prescribed above applies to applications/bids for grants, 
cooperative agreements, and contracts for more than $100,000, and loans 
and loan guarantees for more than $150,000; and

iv Anti-Lobbying Disclosures

    Any applicant that has paid or will pay for lobbying using any 
funds must submit an SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,'' as 
required under 15 CFR Part 28, Appendix B.

Lower Tier Certifications

    Recipients shall require applicants/bidders for subgrants, 
contracts, subcontracts, or other lower tier covered transactions at 
any tier under the award to submit, if applicable, a completed Form CD-
513, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility 
and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier Covered Transactions and Lobbying'' 
and disclosure form, SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities.'' 
Form CD-512 is intended for the use of recipients and should not be 
transmitted to Department of Commerce. SF-LLL submitted by any tier 
recipient or subrecipient should be submitted to Department of Commerce 
in accordance with the instructions contained in the award document.

False Statements

    A false statement on an application is grounds for denial or 
termination of funds and grounds for possible punishment by a fine or 
imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.

Intergovernmental Review

    Applications under this program are subject to Executive Order 
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''

Classification

    Prior notice and an opportunity for public comments are not 
required by the Administrative Procedure Act or any other law for this 
notice concerning grants, benefits, and contracts. Therefore, a 
regulatory flexibility analysis is not required for purposes of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    This action has been determined to be not significant for purposes 
of E.O. 12866.
    This document contains collection of information requirements 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The ``Application for Dean John 
A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowships'' has been approved by OMB under 
control number 0648-0362 with average responses estimated to take two 
hours. This estimate includes the time for reviewing instructions, 
searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data 
needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. 
Send comments on this estimate or any other aspect of this collection 
to National Sea Grant College Program, R/SG, NOAA, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (Attention: Francis S. Schuler) and to 
the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management 
and Budget, Washington, DC 20503 (Attention: NOAA Desk Officer). 
Notwithstanding any other provision of the 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 Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of information 
displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.

    Dated: February 25, 1999.
Louisa Koch,
Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 99-5115 Filed 3-4-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-KA-M