[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 128 (Monday, July 3, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41054-41057]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-16713]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 000522149-0149-01]
RIN 0648-ZA87


Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship, National Sea Grant 
College 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 Office 
(NSGO), NOAA, in fulfilling its broad educational responsibilities, to 
provide educational experience in the policies and processes of the 
Legislative and Executive Branches of the Federal

[[Page 41055]]

Government to graduate students in marine and aquatic-related fields. 
The Fellowship program accepts applications once a year during the 
month of September. All applicants must submit an application to the 
local Sea Grant program in their state. Applicants from states not 
served by a Sea Grant program should obtain further information by 
contacting the Knauss Fellows Program Manager at the NSGO.

DATES: Deadlines vary from program to program, but are generally due 
early to mid-September. Contact your state's Sea Grant program for 
specific deadlines (see list below).

ADDRESSES: Applications should be addressed to your local Sea Grant 
program. Contact the appropriate state's Sea Grant program from the 
list below to obtain the mailing address or the address may be obtained 
on the web site http://www.nsgo.seagrant.org/SGDirectors.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Nikola Garber, Knauss Fellows 
Program Manager, National Sea Grant College Program, R/SG, NOAA, 1315 
East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Tel. (301) 713-2431 ext. 
124; e-mail:

[email protected]. Also call your nearest Sea Grant program or 
visit the web site
http://www.nsgo.seagrant.org/Knauss.html.

Sea Grant Programs

Alabama, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, (228) 875-9341
Alaska, University of Alaska (907) 474-7086
California, University of California, San Diego, (858) 534-4440
California, University of Southern California, (213) 812-1335
Connecticut, University of Connecticut, (860) 405-9128
Delaware, University of Delaware, (302) 831-2841
Florida, University of Florida, (352) 392-5870
Georgia, University of Georgia, (706) 542-5954
Hawaii, University of Hawaii, (808) 956-7031
Illinois, Purdue University, (765) 494-3593
Indiana, Purdue University, (765) 494-3593
Louisiana, Louisiana Sea Grant, (225) 388-6710
Maine, University of Maine, (207) 581-1435
Maryland, University of Maryland, (301) 405-6371
Massachusetts, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, (617) 253-7131
Massachusetts, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, (508) 289-2557
Michigan, University of Michigan, (734) 763-1437
Minnesota, University of Minnesota, (218) 726-8710
Mississippi, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, (228) 875-9341
New Hampshire, University of New Hampshire, (603) 862-0122
New Jersey, New Jersey Marine Science Consortium, (732) 872-1300 Ext. 
21
New York, New York Sea Grant Institute, SUNY, (631) 632-6905
North Carolina, North Carolina State University, (919) 515-2454
Ohio, Ohio State University, (614) 292-8949
Oregon, Oregon State University, (541) 737-2714
Puerto Rico, University of Puerto Rico, (787) 832-3585
Rhode Island, University of Rhode Island, (401) 874-6800
South Carolina, South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium, (843) 727-2078
Texas, Texas A&M University, (979) 845-3854
Virginia, Virginia Graduate Marine Science Consortium, (804) 924-5965
Washington, University of Washington, (206) 543-6600
Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Madison, (608) 262-0905

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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

Purpose of the Fellowship Program

    In 1979, the National Sea Grant Office (NSGO), NOAA, in fulfilling 
its broad educational responsibilities, initiated a program to provide 
a unique educational experience in the policies and processes of the 
Legislative and Executive Branches of the Federal Government to 
graduate students who have an interest in ocean, coastal and Great 
Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting these 
resources. The U.S. Congress recognized the value of this program and 
in 1987, Public Law 100-220 stipulated 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 local sea 
Grant program upon receipt of notice from the NSGO.

Eligibility

    Any student who, on September 26, 2000, is in a graduate or 
professional program in a marine or aquatic-related field at a United 
States accredited institution of higher education may apply to the NSGO 
through their local Sea Grant program. Applicants from states not 
served by a Sea Grant program should obtain further information by 
contacting the Knauss Fellows Program Manager at the NSGO. NOAA makes 
financial assistance funds available to the Sea Grant programs 
nationwide to implement the fellowship program. The National Sea Grant 
program is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under 
number 11.417: Sea Grant Support.

How To Apply

    Interested students should discuss this fellowship with their local 
Sea Grant Program Director. Applications must be submitted with 
signature to the local Sea Grant program by the deadline set in the 
announcement (usually early to mid-September). Each Sea Grant program 
may select and forward to the NSGO no more than five (5) applicants 
selected according to criteria used by the NSGO in the national 
competition.
    Selected applications are to be received in the NSGO from the 
sponsoring Sea Grant program, no later than 5 p.m. EST on September 26, 
2000. The competitive selection process and subsequent notification to 
the Sea Grant programs will be completed by October 25, 2000.

Stipend and Expenses

    The local Sea Grant program receives and administers the overall 
award of $38,000 per student on behalf of each Fellow selected from 
their program. Of this award, the local Sea Grant program provides 
$32,000 to each Fellow for stipend and living expenses (per diem). The 
additional $6,000 will be used to cover mandatory health insurance for 
the Fellow and moving expenses. In addition, any remaining funds shall 
be used during the Fellowship year, first to satisfy academic degree-
related travel, and second for Fellowship-related travel. Indirect 
costs are not allowable for either the Fellowships or for any costs 
associated with the Fellowships [15 CFR 917.11(e), Guidelines for Sea 
Grant Fellowships]. During the fellowship, the host may provide 
supplemental funds for work-related travel by the fellow.

Application

    An application will include:

[[Page 41056]]

    (1) Personal and academic curriculum vitae (not to exceed two pages 
using 12 pt. font).
    (2) A personal education and career goal statement which emphasizes 
the applicant's abilities and the applicant's expectations from the 
experience in the way of career development (1000 words or less). 
Placement preference in the Legislature or Executive Branches of the 
Government may be stated; this preference will be honored to the extent 
possible.
    (3) Two letters of recommendation, including one from the student's 
major professor.
    (4) A letter of endorsement from the sponsoring Sea Grant Program 
Director.
    (5) Copy of all undergraduate and graduate student transcripts.
    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; as well as thesis papers, publications, 
or other additional supporting documents will not be accepted.

Selection Criteria

    The selection criteria will include:
    (1) Quality of the applicant's personal education and career goal 
statement.
    (2) Endorsement of the applicant's Sea Grant program director, and 
support of the applicant's major professor and second letter of 
recommendation.
    (3) Strength of academic performance and diversity of educational 
background including extracurricular activities, awards and honors 
(from the curriculum vitae and transcripts).
    (4) Experience in marine or aquatic-related fields, oral and 
written communication skills, and interpersonal abilities. Relative 
weights of the evaluation criteria are equal.

Selection

    Applicants will be individually reviewed and ranked, according to 
the criteria outlined above, by a panel appointed by the Director of 
the NSGO with input from the Sea Grant Association and the National Sea 
Grant Review Panel. The panel will include representation from the Sea 
Grant Association and the current, and possibly past, class of Fellows. 
Once the entire class is selected, based on the criteria listed, the 
Knauss Program Manager will group the top-ranked applicants in each 
category, legislative and executive, based upon the applicant's stated 
preference and/or judgement of the panel based upon material submitted. 
Academic discipline and geographic representation may be considered by 
the National Sea Grant Office to provide overall balance. The number of 
fellows assigned to the Congress will be limited to 10.

Federal Policies and Procedures

    Fellows receive funds directly from their sponsoring Sea Grant 
Program 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 cost 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 they 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 application 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 significantly reflect on the applicant's management 
honesty or financial integrity.

Primary Application Certifications

    All primary applicant 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, ``Government 
wide 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, or the 
single family maximum mortgage limit for affected programs, whichever 
is greater; 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-
512, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility 
and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower tier Covered Transaction 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 subrecipients 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.

[[Page 41057]]

Intergovernmental Review

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

Minority Serving Institutions Statement

    Pursuant to Executive Orders 12876, 12900, and 13021, DOC/NOAA is 
strongly committed to broadening the participation of Historically 
Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), Hispanic Serving Institutions 
(HSI), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) in its educational 
and research programs. The DOC/NOAA vision, mission, and goals are to 
achieve full participation by Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) in 
order to advance the development of human potential, to strengthen the 
Nation's capacity to provide high-quality education, and to increase 
opportunities for MSIs to participate in and benefit from Federal 
Financial Assistance programs. DOC/NOAA encourages all applicants to 
include meaningful participation of MSIs. Institutions eligible to be 
considered HBCU/MSIs are listed at the following Internet website: 
http://www.ed.gov/offices/OCR/99minin.html.

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 a collection-of-information requirement 
subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The collection of this 
information has been approved by OMB under control number 0648-0362. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required to 
respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to 
comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of 
the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information 
displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.

    Dated: June 26, 2000.
Louisa Koch,
Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Research.
[FR Doc. 00-16713 Filed 6-30-00; 8:45 am]
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