[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 52 (Friday, March 16, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15224-15226]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-6609]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 000522149-1059-02]
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 Government to 
graduate students in marine and aquatic-related fields. The Fellowship 
program accepts applications once a year on or before May 1 for a one-
year fellowship beginning February 1 of the following year. 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-April. 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) 875-9368
ALASKA, University of Alaska (907) 474-7086
CALIFORNIA, University of California, San Diego (858) 534-4440
CALIFORNIA, University of Southern California (213) 821-1335
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) 875-9368
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. In 1987, Public Law 100-220 made the Sea Grant Federal 
Fellows Program 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 May 1, 2001, 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 contact the Knauss Fellows Program 
Manager at the NSGO; subsequently, the applicant will be a referred to 
the appropriate Sea Grant Program. NOAA makes financial assistance 
funds

[[Page 15225]]

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. Applicants from states not served by a Sea 
Grant program should contact the Knauss Fellows program Manager at the 
NSGO; subsequently, the applicant will be a referred to the appropriate 
Sea Grant Program. Applications must be submitted with signature to the 
local Sea Grant program by the deadline set in the announcement 
(usually early to mid-April). Each Sea Grant program may select and 
forward to the NSGO no more than five (5) applicants based on 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 5:00 pm EST on May 1, 2001. 
The competitive selection process and subsequent notification to the 
Sea Grant programs will be completed by June 14, 2001.

Stipend and Expenses

    The local Sea Grant program receives and administers the overall 
grant of $38,000 per student on behalf of each Fellow selected from 
their program. Of this grant, 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 the Fellowships, and Programs 
are not allowed to charge for any costs associated with the 
Fellowships, including placement week [15 CFR 917.11(e), National Sea 
Grant Program Funding Regulations]. No matching funds are required. 
During the fellowship (February 1, 2002--January 31, 2003), the host 
may provide supplemental funds for work-related travel by the fellow.

Application

    An application must include:
    (1) Personal and academic curriculum vitae (not to exceed two pages 
using 12 pt. font).
    (2) A personal education and career goal statement emphasizing 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 Legislative 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; if no major professor exists, the faculty person 
academically knowing the applicant best may be substituted.
    (4) A letter of endorsement from the sponsoring Sea Grant Program 
Director.
    (5) Official copy of all undergraduate and graduate student 
transcripts.
    All applicants be evaluated solely on their application package 
according to the criteria listed above. Therefore, letters of 
endorsements from members of Congress, friends, relatives or others 
will not be accepted. Absolutely no prior contacts/arrangements are to 
be made with possible Host Offices.

Selection Criteria

    The selection criteria will include:
    (1) Quality of the applicant's personal education and career goal 
statement.
    (2) Endorsement/content of the applicant's Sea Grant program 
director, 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 communications 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 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 application is selected for funding, the 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

    Federal funds will not be awarded to a Fellows applicant who has an 
outstanding delinquent Federal debt or find 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.

[[Page 15226]]

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, ``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; 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 CFT part 28, Appendix B.

Tower 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 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 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.

Intergovernmental Review

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

Minority Serving Institutions Statement

    DOC/NOAA is strongly committed to broadening the participation of 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBUC), 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 and which has been approved by 
OMB under Control Number 0648-0362. Public reporting burden for this 
collection of information is estimated to average 2 hours per response, 
including 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 regarding this 
burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, 
including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Ms. Nikola Garber 
(see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above).
    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: March 13, 2001.
Louisa Koch,
Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Research.
[FR Doc. 01-6609 Filed 3-15-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-KA-M