[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 6 (Wednesday, January 9, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1194-1201]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-515]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 991027290-1295-02]
RIN 0648-ZA74


Sea Grant National Strategic Investments in Technology, Marine 
Environmental Biotechnology, and Fisheries Habitat: Request for 
Proposals for FY 2002

AGENCY: National Sea Grant College Program, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of request for proposals.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to advise the public that the 
National Sea Grant College Program (Sea Grant) is entertaining 
preliminary proposals and subsequently full proposals for National 
Strategic Investments in the following three programs:
    (1) The Technology Program, which involves the development and 
transfer of technologies pertaining to engineering and the physical 
sciences; this program is intended to fulfill Sea Grant's broad 
responsibilities in fostering economic competitiveness through the 
transfer of technology pertaining to the development and utilization of 
ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources. The maximum Federal award 
for each project will be $150,000 per year for up to two years.
    (2) The Marine Environmental Biotechnology Program, which seeks to 
fund innovative research, education, and outreach projects to (i) 
develop and utilize molecular and cellular biology for assessing the 
effects of contaminants and pathogens on the health of the coastal 
ecosystem; and (ii) educate and inform the public about marine 
biotechnology. The maximum Federal award for each project will be 
$150,000 per year for up to two years.
    (3) The Fisheries Habitat Program, which deals with innovative 
research, education, and outreach projects that address critical and 
high priority problems related to fisheries habitat in U.S. coastal and 
Great Lakes waters. The maximum Federal award for each project will be 
$300,000 per year for up to two years.
    To support projects in the above three programs, Sea Grant expects 
to provide a total of about $1,750,000, $2,750,000, and $2,000,000, 
respectively, over a two-year period (FY2002 and FY2003). Matching 
funds equal to a minimum of 50% of the Federal request must be 
provided. Successful projects, which will have a maximum duration of 
two years, will be selected through national competitions.

DATES: Preliminary proposals must be received by 5 pm (local time) on 
February 15, 2002 by a state Sea Grant College Program. Preliminary 
proposals from non-Sea Grant states, if submitted directly to the 
National Sea Grant Office (NSGO), must be received by 5 pm EST on 
February 15, 2002. After evaluation at the NSGO, some proposers will be 
encouraged to prepare full proposals, which must be received by 5 pm 
(local time) on April 18, 2002 by a state Sea Grant College Program or 
the NSGO. (See ADDRESSES for where to submit preliminary and full 
proposals.) Note that applications arriving after these deadlines will 
be accepted for review only if the applicant can document that the 
application was provided to a delivery service that guaranteed delivery 
to the address listed below (see ADDRESSES) prior to the specified 
closing date and time; in any event, applications received by the NSGO 
or the state Sea Grant programs later than two business days following 
the closing date will not be accepted. Facsimile transmissions and 
electronic mail submission of proposals will not be accepted. It is 
anticipated that funding decisions will be made by June 20, 2002, and 
that successful applicants will be able to initiate projects 
approximately December 1, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Preliminary proposals and full proposals originating in Sea 
Grant states must be submitted to the state Sea Grant Program. 
Preliminary proposals and full proposals originating elsewhere may be 
submitted either to the nearest Sea Grant Program or directly to the 
NSGO. The addresses of the Sea Grant College Program directors may be 
found on Sea Grant's home page (http://www.nsgo.seagrant.org/SGDirectors.html) or may also be obtained by contacting the NSGO. 
Preproposals and proposals submitted to the NSGO should be addressed 
to: National Sea Grant Office, R/SG, Attn: Mrs. Geraldine Taylor, 
Proposal Processing, Room 11732, NOAA, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910 (telephone number for express mail applications is 
301-713-2445).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Vijay G. Panchang (Program 
Director for Technology Transfer), Dr. Linda Kupfer (Program Director 
for Biotechnology), or Dr. Emory Anderson (Program Director for 
Fisheries) at the National Sea Grant Office, R/SG, NOAA, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Tel. (301) 713-2435, e-mail: 
[email protected]; [email protected]; 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Program Authority

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1121-1131.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 11.417, Sea Grant 
Support.

II. Description of Programs

A. Technology Program

Background
    The ocean environment has traditionally provided an abundance of 
economic opportunities over a wide spectrum of activities. As a result 
of growing population pressures, the demands to maintain a sustainable 
and healthy environment, and ongoing scientific advancements, the 
economic potential afforded by the marine environment may be expected 
to increase. On the other hand, globalization has put unprecedented 
demands on U.S. industry for innovation and the development of new 
technologies. Economic competitiveness can be fostered by creating 
opportunities for collaboration between industrial and academic 
scientists and engineers, as well as by supporting post-fundamental 
work to accelerate the

[[Page 1195]]

conversion of academic research into products with commercial value.
    The ``National Sea Grant College Program Reauthorization Act of 
1997'' (33 U.S.C. 1121-1131) calls upon the National Sea Grant College 
Program (Sea Grant) to foster economic competitiveness, invest in 
technology transfer, and create partnerships between the Federal 
Government and universities, private industry, and other agencies in 
the development and utilization of marine resources. To meet these 
objectives, Sea Grant's Technology program is meant to serve as a 
catalyst for scientific entrepreneurship and technology transfer and 
thereby enhance commerce. In particular, the goals are: To conduct 
focused projects that can lead to the development of marine and Great 
Lakes related technological innovations and their acceptance in the 
marketplace (both in the U.S. and abroad); to increase interactions 
between the nation's academic scientists and engineers and their 
industrial counterparts; to stimulate Sea Grant's research and 
development activities in the physical sciences and engineering; to 
accelerate the transfer of research-based marine science from 
universities to new technologies in industry; to provide a mechanism 
for industry to influence Sea Grant research priorities and solve 
problems of importance to industry; and to forge long-term 
relationships between Sea Grant colleges and industrial firms.
Funding Priorities and Availability
    The Sea Grant Technology program provides support for applied 
research and development projects that ultimately facilitate the 
transfer of new products and processes that pertain to the development 
of marine technologies, including cost reductions for processes and 
product safety. In a true partnership that benefits national or 
regional economies, industrial cooperation in academic research and 
development efforts could be expected and such cooperation should be 
sought. University faculty are the major source for identifying 
potential industrial collaborators and suitable research topics. 
However, other sources can be used to identify potential industrial 
partners or user groups, such as the Sea Grant Marine Extension 
Program, university industrial relations offices, and the Sea Grant 
Review Panel. Sea Grant directors are encouraged to use a variety of 
sources in building successful partnerships with industry or other user 
groups.
    Several types of projects will be considered under this 
announcement. These include, for example, the following:
    1. Additional developmental work that can accelerate the transition 
of academic research to marketplace acceptance or practice. For 
example, pilot-scale testing of technologies developed in academia may 
be necessary to establish economic feasibility. A private sector 
partner may or may not be identified. (If the work has imminent 
commercial implications and an industrial partner is involved, the 
partner is encouraged to provide matching funds.)
    2. A project which does not lead to a commercializable product per 
se, but is of mutual benefit to industry and academia. For example, if 
an industry sector anticipates future trends either due to market 
forces or government regulations, it may wish to prepare for them by 
developing technologies with help from academia. If there is actual 
transfer of technologies to industry, then participation by an 
industrial partner may be appropriate.
    3. Technology transfer or demonstration projects and workshops/
forums given by academic researchers and mainly targeted to industry, 
involving registration or other fees paid by industry which can 
constitute industrial match.
    4. Technology transfer to user groups in government or other 
agencies that enhances cost-effectiveness of operations.
    Proposals that will be considered under this announcement are not 
limited to the above types of projects, which are given by way of 
example only.
    This announcement is intended to stimulate Sea Grant developments 
in the physical sciences and engineering. (See the Long Range Plan on 
Sea Grant's home page or that of the nearest Sea Grant College 
Program). Examples of possible project areas include:
    1. Improved ocean observation technology and data management 
systems pertaining to a ``digital ocean'', including predictive models 
of coastal/shoreline/basin ocean/lake circulation and sensors for 
currents/tides, marine contamination and water quality, storms/winds/
waves, and other natural chemical/physical properties.
    2. Marine weather prediction techniques for users in coastal 
regions.
    3. Determining the extent and implications of shoreline erosion and 
developing new solutions (including social science approaches).
    4. Sea level issues such as rise/fall, hazard analysis, etc.
    5. Harbor/channel problems such as management for commercial, 
public, and private/recreational uses as well as engineering design and 
operations (e.g. improved techniques for dredging and spoil analysis/
distribution, ``intelligent'' waterways and enhanced navigability, 
etc).
    6. Improved wastewater treatment technologies to reduce coastal 
contamination.
    7. Vessel design.
    8. Life raft/lifesaving/rescue communications devices.
    9. Material science in relation to the marine environment for 
structures, vessels, antifouling products, etc.
    10. Programmable online robotic submersibles for marine 
observations.
    11. Improvements in land use practice, watershed management, smart 
growth, risk analysis, etc.
    The above list is not intended to be restrictive and projects 
covering other topics in the physical sciences and engineering are 
welcome.
    To support projects in the Technology program, Sea Grant expects to 
provide a total of about $1,750,000 over a two-year period (FY2002 and 
FY2003). The maximum Federal award for each project will be $150,000 
per year. Matching funds equal to a minimum of 50% of the Federal 
request must be provided. Successful projects will have maximum 
duration of two years; however, the second year of funding is 
contingent upon availability of funds and submission of an annual 
report showing satisfactory progress.

B. Marine Environmental Biotechnology Program

Background
    Preservation of coastal ecosystems is critically important to the 
American public. There are growing concerns with the status and health 
of vital marine resources. Increasing development of coastal areas and 
pollution from variety of sources now exert relentless pressure upon 
these environments. Recognition that widespread threats to coastal 
ecosystems impact human health as well as traditional and emerging 
economic interests resonates throughout the scientific and management 
communities. The National Research Council's Ocean Studies Board 
reported in ``Challenges on the Horizon'' that improving the health of 
the coastal oceans and sustaining ocean ecology in the fact of mounting 
anthropogenic impacts represent key challenges for ocean research. 
Realization of the close link between the oceans and human health has 
sparked interest and involvement from scientists, health care 
professionals and other stakeholders as cited in the Ocean Studies 
Board's report ``From Monsoons to Microbes.''

[[Page 1196]]

    There are numerous chemical and biological threats to the health of 
the marine environment, which can affect its potential to sustain 
essential biodiversiry, its ability to fuel valuable economic 
interests, and its effect on human health. These range from severe 
impacts of point-source contamination and diseases to far more subtle 
stress imposed by sublethal and non-point source contamination exposure 
over long time frames. Development of coastal areas and the associated 
changes in land use patterns apply additional impacts to the coastal 
ecosystem. The response of the biota to the cumulative stress is now 
evident in a variety of compelling ways.
    While these problems have continued to mount, our understanding of 
the concurrent biological and ecological ramifications have not 
followed in step. Consequently, we are poorly equipped to evaluate 
these problems and to adequately suggest and implement remedies. 
Historically, a number of factors have prevented this. We are using for 
the most part the tools of early twentieth century biology when better 
ones are available. Techniques with sufficient resolution to discern 
the mechanisms underlying these problems have rarely been applied 
within the context of the health of the marine environment. In 
addition, owing to their highly interdisciplinary nature, some of these 
problems have been difficult to address through traditional funding 
paths. The early promise of molecular biology and genetics continues to 
be realized as evidenced by the publishing of the human genome in 
February of this year. New methodologies are being developed and 
applied to the field such as the microarray or ``gene chip''. Yet, 
while many scientists utilize the tools of biotechnology to answer 
pertinent questions regarding human health, the state of the 
environment and food production and safety, the extension, education 
and communication of information about biotechnology has largely been 
neglected.
    There is a significant lack of understanding in the public domain 
regarding biotechnology and its applications in the marine environment. 
An accelerated program of biotechnology education, communication and 
outreach is critical to public acceptance and trust in the use of 
marine biotechnology tools.
    Overcoming these barriers is the present emphasis of this program, 
which is meant to support the application of innovative and state-of-
the-art molecular and cellular biotechnology research designed 
specifically to address tractable problems pertaining to the health of 
the marine ecosystem as well as education and outreach projects 
designed to inform the public about marine biotechnology.
    The same innovative technology that has yielded such profound 
changes in the way that biomedical research is conducted and has become 
commonplace in virtually all modern biology laboratories will be 
applied in the critical area of environmental research. Techniques 
utilized in a typical molecular and cellular biology laboratory can now 
be viewed as an accessible biological toolbox that enables researchers 
to answer insightful questions relating to stress detection and 
monitoring methodologies. Marine biotechnology has become a mature and 
powerful driving force that is poised to lead to new developments in 
our understanding of how marine organisms and the coastal ecosystems 
respond to pollution, disease and environmental stress.
    This announcement builds upon the successes of previous marine 
biotechnology initiatives funded by Sea Grant. These initiatives were 
instrumental in focusing university molecular and cellular biology 
research on marine issues. The benefits of previously funded research 
in marine biotechnology include new natural products and 
pharmaceuticals, new tools for fisheries management as well as 
development of new research systems for fundamental research and new 
insights into ocean dynamics. With this request for proposals, Sea 
Grant will focus the considerable power of molecular and cellular 
biology on the aquatic ecosystem.
Funding Priorities and Availability
    Sea Grant will fund a nationwide research, education, and outreach 
program that is designed to foster innovative approaches to the study 
of health of the marine environment. It is designed to encourage 
collaboration among academics and key resource decision makers to 
ensure that the research is pertinent to the end users and that the 
results are distributed in an appropriate fashion among a variety of 
key user groups ranging from the research and management communities to 
the general public.
    1. The focus of the research conducted under this initiative 
addresses a topic of pressing national importance: To better understand 
the marine ecosystem and the impact of contaminants and pathogens on 
this system.
    The overarching goal is to add new focus and direction to Sea Grant 
funded research and to enhance its impact through innovative research 
studies, interdisiplinary studies, educational programs and outreach 
efforts. Research proposals should focus on tractable problems and 
specific, identifiable outcomes which impact the problem. Project areas 
may include the application of cellular and molecular biological 
techniques for the detection and characterization of pollutants and 
disease on the coastal ecosytem, including (a) the development of novel 
biosensors (including in situ biosensors) for major groups of 
pollutants and contaminants (toxics; heavy metals such as cadmium, 
copper and mercury; organics such as PCBs, PAHs, and pesticides; and 
endocrine disrupters); (b) the detection and characterization of 
sublethal effects of pollutants, contaminants, and pathogens (excluding 
effects of harmful algal blooms) in ecologically and economically 
important stocks in the natural environment (excluding aquacultured 
animals); and (c) the identification and use of biomarkers for the 
purpose of health and environmental quality assessment.
    2. Outreach projects conducted under this initiative will focus on 
the fact that while the science of biotechnology has literally sprinted 
forward, public understanding of this technology has merely limped 
along, creating an uninformed and at times bewildered public. This 
situation is addressed in a January 2000 report by the National 
Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges entitled 
``Agricultural Biotechnology: Critical Issues and Recommended Responses 
from the Land-Grant Universities.'' With this request for proposals, 
Sea Grant will begin the process of bringing the public up to speed on 
marine biotechnology, its promise as well as the issues surrounding its 
use. Proposals should address the communication, education, and 
extension of marine biotechnology to the public. Examples in the field 
of communication include the development of a Sea Grant marine 
biotechnology web site which is a one-stop shop, critical for users 
learning about the many facets of marine biotechnology and for tying 
together all the work in marine biotechnology currently going on in the 
Sea Grant network. In addition, synthesis documents describing the 
results of Sea Grant sponsored research in marine biotechnology to both 
the scientist and the layperson are essential to tell the story of Sea 
Grant successes in marine biotechnology. An integrated project in this 
area could also include fact sheets

[[Page 1197]]

on a variety of areas applicable to marine biotechnology suitable for 
diverse audiences. Examples of extension would be symposia geared to 
educate laypersons, industry, government regulators and policy makers 
on marine biotechnology. Similarly, workshops designed to assemble 
researchers who have been funded by national strategic investments in 
marine biotechnology to present their results and discuss the state of 
the science are encouraged. Publication of workshop proceedings would 
document a body of work and suggest future investments, similar to the 
NRC publication ``Opportunities for Environmental Applications of 
Marine Biotechnology'' upon which this request for proposals is based. 
Other themes for workshops might include policy issues surrounding 
marine biotechnology such as Federal and state regulations, risk 
assessment issues, legal policies such as patents and licensing, and 
regional marine biotechnology issues. Examples of proposals in the area 
of education include those focused on teaching marine biotechnology to 
high school students and teachers of high school students, aquarium 
exhibits focused on teaching marine biotechnology, traveling exhibits 
and museum exhibits, a course or series of courses in marine 
biotechnology for extension agents, specialists, or specific user 
groups such as policy makers or management.
    To support projects in the Marine Environmental Biotechnology 
program, Sea Grant expects to provide a total of about $2,750,000 over 
a two-year period (FY2002 and FY2003). The maximum Federal award for 
each project will be $150,000 per year. For the Marine Environmental 
Biotechnology Program, about one quarter of the available funds will be 
devoted to support outreach projects. Matching funds equal to a minimum 
of 50% of the Federal request must be provided. Successful projects 
will have a maximum duration of two years; however, the second year of 
funding is contingent upon availability of funds and submission of an 
annual report showing satisfactory progress.

C. Fisheries Habitat Program

Background
    Human and non-anthropogenic activities threaten the environments of 
our marine and Great Lakes waters. Habitats important to stocks of 
finfish and shellfish species exist in riverine, estuarine, coastal, 
and offshore continental shelf waters within the U.S. Exclusive 
Economic Zone as well as in waters of the Great Lakes. A long-term 
threat to the viability of commercial and recreational fisheries is the 
continuing adverse impacts of various human activities and natural 
hazards on our marine and Great Lakes aquatic habitats.
    The U.S. Congress, in re-authorizing the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 
Conservation and Management Act through the Sustainable Fisheries Act 
(SFA) (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.) in October 1996, mandated the 
identification of habitats essential to Federally managed marine 
finfish and shellfish species and the identification of measures to 
conserve and enhance these habitats. The SFA defined essential fish 
habitat (EFH) as ``those waters and substrate necessary to fish for 
spawning, breeding, feeding, or growth to maturity.'' This has been 
further interpreted by NOAA to include aquatic areas and their 
associated physical, chemical, and biological properties needed to 
support sustainable fisheries and healthy ecosystems involving managed 
species.
    Since Congressional intent in the SFA was to prevent further loss 
of marine, estuarine, and other aquatic habitats, the eight regional 
Fishery Management Councils (Councils) have had to amend their fishery 
management plans (FMPs) to describe and identify EFH for all life 
stages of managed species, provide information on fishing and non-
fishing activities that may adversely impact EFH, recommend measures to 
conserve and enhance EFH, and minimize, to the extent practicable, 
adverse impacts on EFH caused by fishing activities. The SFA also 
requires consultations between the National Marine Fisheries Service 
(NMFS) and any Federal agency whose actions may adversely affect EFH.
    Although the EFH mandate in the SFA was directed towards the 
conservation and management of habitat for Federally managed fisheries, 
it has served to heighten awareness and stimulate similar efforts by 
state resource agencies and interstate Marine Fisheries Commissions 
responsible for near-shore and estuarine waters and by state, Federal, 
and international bodies responsible for Great Lakes waters.
    Huge gaps in knowledge exist regarding habitat preferences and 
requirements of the life stages of many finfish and shellfish species, 
the role played by various habitats in the fishery production process, 
and the impacts of various anthropogenic and natural activities on 
habitat structure and function. In order for Fishery Management 
Councils, NMFS, interstate Marine Fisheries Commissions, and other 
Federal and state regulatory bodies and agencies responsible for either 
marine or Great Lakes waters to adequately manage habitats, these gaps 
in knowledge must be filled through expanded research and extension 
efforts.
    The importance of addressing the requirement for and present 
deficiency in knowledge regarding fisheries habitat, and the need to 
consider habitat to a greater extent in fisheries management, has 
recently received considerable national attention in scientific 
symposia and conferences and popular and peer-reviewed publications. 
This research initiative is helping to address that lack of knowledge.
Funding Priorities and Availability
    The Sea Grant Fisheries Habitat Program encourages proposals that 
address the topical fisheries habitat issues listed below. Proposals 
that are particularly encouraged are those that: (1) Involve 
collaboration with multiple investigators and various Federal agencies 
(e.g., National Marine Fisheries Service, National Undersea Research 
Program, Environmental Research Laboratories, National Ocean Service, 
U.S. Geological Survey, Environmental Protection Agency) in which the 
cooperating agencies provide additional funding, personnel, specialized 
equipment, research vessel time, and the like; (2) address regional or 
national issues with broad application; (3) demonstrate local and 
regional resource manager and stakeholder involvement in the planning 
and development process; (4) provide results in digital, metadata, GIS-
capable format; and (5) incorporate applied areas of education, 
outreach, socioeconomic, and management components and applications of 
direct benefit to stakeholders. Proposals with narrow focus from single 
investigators are not encouraged and will have a minimal likelihood of 
being funded.
    Proposals are requested that address the following issues:
    1. Documentation of the functional role of habitats for particular 
species and life stages.
    a. Documentation of the associations between managed fish and 
shellfish species and their habitats and characterization of the 
ecological processes that control species distribution.
    b. Identification of the specific types of habitat that contribute 
most to the growth, reproduction, and survival of managed fish and 
shellfish species.
    c. Development of survey strategies for seabed mapping, combining 
large-scale mapping technology with finer-scale survey techniques such 
as underwater video and sediment sampling.

[[Page 1198]]

    2. Determination of the short- and long-term (cumulative) effects 
of commercial and recreational fishing gear and activities on fish and 
shellfish habitats.
    a. Documentation of the effects of fishing activities on the 
physical and chemical structure of habitats, community composition of 
associated species, and growth, reproduction, and survival of managed 
fish and shellfish species.
    b. Evaluation of the recovery rates for benthic habitats and 
associated fish and shellfish species disturbed by fishing gear and 
activities with respect to the frequency and magnitude of disturbance.
    To support projects in the Fisheries Habitat program, Sea Grant 
expects to provide a total of about $2,000,000 over a two-year period 
(FY2002 and FY2003). The maximum Federal award for each project will be 
$300,000 per year. Matching funds equal to a minimum of 50% of the 
Federal request must be provided. Successful projects will have a 
maximum duration of two years; however, the second year of funding is 
contingent upon availability of funds and submission of an annual 
report showing satisfactory progress.

III. Eligibility

    Applications may be submitted by individuals, public or private 
corporations, partnerships, or other associations or entities 
(including institutions of higher education, institutes, or non-Federal 
laboratories), or any State, political subdivision of a State, or 
agency or officer thereof. Directors of the state Sea Grant Programs 
are not eligible to compete for funds under this announcement, although 
for administrative purposes, they will be considered to be the 
Principal Investigator for all awards made to their state programs.

IV. Evaluation Criteria

    The evaluation criteria for proposals submitted for support under 
these three programs are:
    A. Impact of Proposed Project (50%): Significance of the problem 
addressed; impacts/benefits expected to the nation as a consequence of 
the project; degree to which the activity will advance the state of the 
science or discipline; potential for technology transfer to user groups 
such as industry and/or for enhanced economic/scientific/educational/
management value.
    B. Project Design (50%): Appropriateness of methodologies to be 
used; advanced synthesis of existing information; use or extension of 
state-of-the-art methods; qualifications of the investigators 
(education, training, and/or experience and record of achievement with 
previous funding); the degree to which multiple investigators, other 
Federal agencies, and potential users of the results of the proposed 
activity have been involved in planning the activity and/or will be 
involved in the execution of the activity, as appropriate; proposed 
project schedule (timeline).

V. Selection Procedures

    Preliminary proposals will be reviewed at the NSGO by panels 
composed of government, industry, and academic experts. The panels will 
be asked to assess each preliminary proposal according to the 
evaluation criteria. The panels will make individual recommendations to 
the NSGO regarding which preliminary proposals may be suitable for 
further consideration. On the basis of the panels' recommendations, the 
Director of the NSGO will advise proposers whether or not the 
submission of full proposals is encouraged. Invitation to submit a full 
proposal does not constitute an indication that the proposal will be 
funded. Interested parties who are not invited to submit full proposals 
will not be precluded from submitting full proposals if they have 
submitted a preliminary proposal in accordance with the described 
procedures.
    Individual state Sea Grant Programs receiving full proposals will 
conduct the mail peer review of the proposed projects in accordance 
with the Evaluation Criteria listed above. Complete proposals (12 
copies) and copies of the mail reviews will then be sent by the state 
Sea Grant programs to the National Sea Grant Office. The NSGO will 
conduct mail reviews for proposals submitted directly to it by 
applicants not in Sea Grant states.
    The proposals will be ranked in accordance with the assigned 
weights of the above evaluation criteria by an independent peer review 
panel consisting of government, academic, and industry experts. These 
panel members will provide individual evaluations on each proposal; 
thus there will be no consensus advice. Their recommendations and 
evaluations will be considered by the NSGO in the final selection. Only 
those proposals awarded a score of 50% or greater by the panel will be 
eligible for funding. For those proposals, the NSGO will: (a) Ascertain 
which proposals best meet the program priorities (stated in Section 
II), and do not substantially duplicate other projects that are 
currently funded or are approved for funding by NOAA and other Federal 
agencies, hence, awards may not necessarily be made to the highest-
scored proposals; (b) select the proposals to be funded; (c) determine 
which components of the selected projects will be funded; (d) determine 
the total duration of funding for each proposal; and (e) determine the 
amount of funds available for each proposal. Investigators may be asked 
to modify objectives, work plans, or budgets prior to final approval of 
the award. Subsequent grant administration procedures will be in 
accordance with current NOAA grants procedures. Note that only one 
award will normally be made for each project; if multiple institutions 
are involved, they should be handled through subcontracts. A summary 
statement of the scientific review by the peer panel will be provided 
to each applicant.

VI. Instructions for Application

A. General Requirements

    The ideal project attacks a well-defined problem that will be or is 
a significant societal, research, or technology development and 
transfer issue. The organization or people whose task it will be to 
make related decisions or who will be able to make specific use of 
project results will have been identified and contacted by the 
Principal Investigator(s). The proposal demonstrates an understanding 
of what constitutes necessary and sufficient information for 
responsible decision-making or for applied use, and shows how that 
information will be provided by the proposed activity or in concert 
with other planned activities.
    Proposals are expected to have: a rigorous, hypothesis-based 
scientific work plan, or a well-defined, logical approach to address an 
engineering problem or outreach opportunity; a strong rationale for the 
proposed work; and a clear relationship with the ultimate users of the 
information. Projects undertaken jointly with industry, business, 
multiple investigators, or other agencies with interest in the problem 
are encouraged. Their contribution to the project may be in the form of 
collaboration, in-kind services, or dollar support. Projects that are 
solely monitoring efforts are not appropriate for funding. Proposals 
that incorporate educational, outreach, socioeconomic, and management 
components and applications will be viewed favorably.
    To prevent the expenditure of effort that may not be successful, 
proposers must first submit preliminary proposals; based on advice 
provided by the NSGO, proposers may subsequently submit full

[[Page 1199]]

proposals. Full proposals submitted by applicants who do not first 
submit a preliminary proposal will be returned without review. 
Applications may be made for Federal funds to support up to two-thirds 
of the total budget. Allocation of matching funds, equal to at least 
one-third of the total budget (in other words, at least 50% of the 
Federal request), must be specified. No more than $150,000 (for the 
Technology and the Marine Environmental Biotechnology Programs) or 
$300,000 (for the Fisheries Habitat Program) of Federal funds per year 
will be awarded to a project. The maximum duration for funded projects 
will be two years. Awards may be made either as grants or, if there is 
substantial involvement by one or more Federal agencies, as cooperative 
agreements. Investigators are encouraged to review the budgeting and 
grant-making policies of their state's Sea Grant Program, if any, 
before finalizing their proposal submissions.

B. How To Submit

    Interested parties must submit applications (preliminary and full 
proposals) as follows. Applications originating in one of the Sea Grant 
states must be submitted to the state's Sea Grant College Program, 
which will submit the final grant application to the NSGO. Applications 
originating in a state with no Sea Grant College Program may be 
submitted to the nearest state Sea Grant College Program which will 
then submit the final grant application to the NSGO, or the application 
may be submitted directly to the National Sea Grant Office. Twenty (20) 
copies of preliminary proposals and proposals must be submitted to the 
state Sea Grant Programs or to the NSGO according to the schedule 
outlined below (See ``Timetable''). The addresses of the Sea Grant 
College Program directors may be found on Sea Grant's World Wide Web 
home page (http://www.nsgo.seagrant.org/SGDirectors.html) or may also 
be obtained by contacting Mr. Joseph Brown at the NSGO (phone: 301-713-
2438 x135 or e-mail: [email protected]). Preproposals and proposals 
sent to the NSGO should be addressed to: National Sea Grant Office, R/
SG, Attn: Ms. Geri Taylor, Proposals Processing, NOAA, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (phone 301-713-2435 for express mail 
applications). Facsimile transmissions and electronic mail submission 
of applications will not be accepted.

C. Timetable

    February 15, 2002, 5 p.m. (local time)--Preliminary proposals (20 
copies) due at state Sea Grant Program, or at NSGO if application is 
being submitted by an institution in a non-Sea Grant state.
    February 20, 2002, 5 pm EST--Preliminary proposals received at 
state Sea Grant Programs due at NSGO (18 copies).
    April 18, 2002, 5 pm (local time)--Full proposals (20 copies) due 
at state Sea Grant Program, or at NSGO if application is being 
submitted by an institution in a non-Sea Grant state.
    April 24, 2002, 5 pm EST--Full proposals (12 copies) received at 
state Sea Grant Programs due at NSGO.
    June 4, 2002, 5 pm EDT--Reviews received at state Sea Grant 
Programs due at NSGO.
    December 1, 2002 (approximate)--Funds awarded to selected 
recipients; projects begin.
    Note that applications arriving after the closing dates given above 
will be accepted for review only if the applicant can document that the 
application was provided to a delivery service that guaranteed delivery 
to the appropriate address (see ADDRESSES) prior to the specified 
closing date and time; in any event, applications received by the NSGO 
or the state Sea Grant programs later than two business days following 
the closing date will not be accepted.

D. What To Submit

Preliminary Proposal Requirements
    Preliminary proposals must be printed on metric A4 (210 mm x 297 
mm) or 8\1/2\" x 11" paper with at least a 10-point font. The following 
information should be included:
    1. Signed Title Page: The title page must be signed by the 
Principal Investigator and should clearly identify the program to which 
the proposal is submitted by starting the project title with ``Sea 
Grant Technology Program'' or ``Sea Grant Marine Environmental 
Biotechnology Program'' or ``Sea Grant Fisheries Habitat Program'' (as 
appropriate). Principal Investigators and collaborators should be 
identified by affiliation and contact information. The total project 
costs (Federal funds being requested and matching funds) should be 
listed as well as the source of the matching funds. Preliminary 
proposals must include matching funds equivalent to at least 50% of the 
Federal funds requested.
    2. A concise (2-page limit) description of the project, its 
experimental design, its expected output or products, the anticipated 
users of the products, and its anticipated impact. Proposers should 
consult the Evaluation Criteria for additional guidance in preparing 
the preliminary proposals.
    3. Resumes (1-page limit) of the Principal Investigators.
    4. Proposers are encouraged (but not required) to include a 
separate page suggesting reviewers that the proposers believe are 
especially well-qualified to review the proposal. Proposers may also 
designate persons they would prefer not review the proposal, indicating 
why. These suggestions will be considered during the review process.
    No institutional signatures or Federal government forms are needed 
while submitting preliminary proposals.
Full Proposal Requirements
    All pages must be printed on metric A4 (210 mm  x  297 mm) or 8\1/
2\" x 11" paper with at least a 10-point font. Each full proposal 
should include the items listed below. Brevity will assist reviewers 
and program staff in dealing effectively with proposals. Therefore, the 
Project Description may not exceed 15 pages. Tables and visual 
materials, including charts, graphs, maps, photographs and other 
pictorial presentations are included in the 15-page limitation; 
literature citations and letters of support are not included in the 15-
page limitation. No appendices are permitted. Applicants may obtain all 
required application forms through the World Wide Web at http://www.nsgo.seagrant.org/research/index.html and http://www.ofa.noaa.gov/
~grants/pdf/, from the state Sea Grant Programs, or from Mr. Joseph 
Brown at the National Sea Grant Office (phone: 301-713-2438  x 135 or 
e-mail: [email protected]).
    1. Signed Title Page: The title page must be signed by the 
Principal Investigator and the institutional representative and provide 
complete contact information. The program area being addressed should 
be clearly identified by starting the project title with ``Sea Grant 
Technology Program'' or ``Sea Grant Marine Environmental Biotechnology 
Program'' or ``Sea Grant Essential Fisheries Habitat Program'' (as 
appropriate). The total amount of Federal and matching funds being 
requested for each project year must be listed.
    2. Project Summary: The project summary should concisely describe 
the activity being proposed and the impact that would result from its 
successful completion, in a form suitable for publication. Applicants 
are encouraged to use the Sea Grant Project Summary Form 90-2, but may 
use their own form as long as it provides the same information as the 
Sea Grant form. The project summary should include: A. Title: Use the 
exact title as it appears in the rest of the application. B.

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Investigators: List the names and affiliations of each investigator who 
will significantly contribute to the project, starting with the 
Principal Investigator. For graduate fellowships, the faculty advisor 
or the state Sea Grant Director may be used. C. Funding request for 
each year of the project, including matching funds if appropriate. D. 
Project Period: Start and completion dates. Proposals should request a 
start date of December 1, 2002. E. Project Abstract: This should 
include the rationale for the proposed activity, the scientific or 
technical objectives and/or hypotheses to be tested, and a brief 
summary of the work to be completed.
    3. Project Description (15-page limit):
    a. Introduction/Background/Justification: Subjects that the 
investigator(s) may wish to include in this section are: (i) Previous 
fundamental research, including relevant work funded by Sea Grant, and 
a description of what additional work is needed to enhance the value of 
that work; and (ii) impacts of the study to the particular discipline 
or subject area.
    b. Research or Technical Plan: (i) Objectives to be achieved, 
hypotheses to be tested; (ii) Experimental design and statistical 
analysis to be used; (iii) Plan of work, detailed methodology, 
collaboration with industry or other user groups (if appropriate), and 
a timetable for project activities; and (iv) Role of project personnel.
    c. Output/Anticipated Economic Benefits: These may be measured in 
many ways (for instance the benefits of using biotechnological tools as 
opposed to other methods, the value of better understanding and 
managing the ecosystem or fisheries habitats, etc). To the extent 
possible, proposers are urged to devise appropriate metrics to quantify 
the benefits. Examples of metrics may include patents or licenses; 
commercializable new products (e.g. products used in or obtained from 
marine engineering operations, computer models for simulation of marine 
processes, etc.); process improvements (e.g. harbor design or dredging 
procedures, biochemical engineering, etc.); corporate investments in 
academic research efforts; private sector job opportunities for 
students involved in the project; number of end users or persons 
affected by the projects long-term goals, etc.
    d. Coordination with other Program Elements: Describe any 
coordination with other agency programs or ongoing research efforts. 
Describe any other proposals that are essential to the success of this 
proposal.
    e. References and Literature Citations: Should be included but will 
not be counted in the 15-page project description limit.
    4. Budget and Budget Justification: There should be a separate 
budget for each year and one cumulative budget for the entire project. 
Applicants are encouraged to use the Sea Grant Budget Form 90-4, but 
may also use their own form as long as it provides the same information 
as the Sea Grant form. Subcontracts should have a separate budget page. 
Matching funds must be indicated. The budget should include a separate 
budget justification page that itemizes all budget items in sufficient 
detail to enable reviewers to evaluate the appropriateness of the 
funding requested, and indicates the source for all matching funds. 
Please pay special attention to any travel, supply or equipment budgets 
and provide details. Note that only one award will normally be made for 
each project; if multiple institutions are involved, they should be 
handled through subcontractors with all necessary indirect costs 
included in the original budget submission.
    Investigators are strongly advised to consult with and follow any 
budgeting guidelines available through their state's Sea Grant Program. 
Local institutional policies may affect how a project budget should be 
submitted, and what may be included (i.e., application of indirect 
costs, availability of fellowships, and other restrictions or cost-
saving opportunities). Proposals generated from Sea Grant states must 
follow local guidelines, if any. In no case will proposals be funded at 
a level which exceeds the funding limitations as set in this 
announcement.
    5. Current and Pending Support: Applicants must provide information 
on all current and pending Federal support for ongoing projects and 
proposals, including subsequent funding in the case of continuing 
grants. The relationship between the proposed project and these other 
projects should be described, and the number of person-months per year 
to be devoted to the projects must be stated.
    6. Vitae (2 pages maximum per investigator).
    7. Letters of commitment and letter of support from any industry or 
other partner, if appropriate.

VII. Other Requirements for Successful Applicants

    The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification Requirements for 
Grants and Cooperative Agreements, contained in the Federal Register 
notice of October 1, 2001 (66 FR 49917), are applicable to this 
solicitation. The Federal Register notice also lists the forms required 
to complete the standard Department of Commerce grant application 
package, but those forms will be required only for those applicants who 
have been recommended for funding. For projects selected in Sea Grant 
states, the Sea Grant Program will prepare and submit these forms on 
behalf of all projects selected from that state. Unsuccessful 
applications will be held in the National Sea Grant Office for a period 
of five (5) years and then destroyed. Applications under this program 
are not subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of 
Federal Programs.''
    Pursuant to Execute Orders 12876, 12900, and 13021, the Department 
of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (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 MSIs are listed at the following Internet website: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OCR/minorityinst.html.
    This notice contains collection-of-information requirements subject 
to the Paperwork Reduction Act. THe use of NOAA Forms 90-2 and 90-4, or 
equivalents, has been approved by OMB under the control number 0648-
0362. Public reporting burden for these collections of information is 
estimated to average 20 minutes for a NOAA Form 90-2 and 15 minutes for 
a NOAA Form 90-4. These response times include 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 data collection, including 
suggestions for reducing the burden, to the National Sea Grant Office 
(see the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section).
    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

[[Page 1201]]

collection of information subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act, 
unless that collection displays a currently valid OMB control number.

VIII. Classification

    It has been determined that this notice is not significant for 
purposes of E.O. 12866.
    It has been determined that this notice does not contain policies 
with Federalism implications as that term is defined in E.O. 13132.
    Because notice and comment are not required under 5 U.S.C. 553, or 
any other law, for notices relating to public property, loans, grants, 
benefits or contracts (5 U.S.C. 553(a)), a Regulatory Flexibility 
Analysis is not required and has not been prepared for this notice, 5 
U.S.C. 601 et seq.

David L. Evans,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 02-515 Filed 1-8-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-KA-M