[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 86 (Monday, May 5, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23697-23702]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-10936]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No.: 000616180-3103-07]
RIN 0648-ZA91


NOAA Climate and Global Change Program, Program Announcement

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Climate and Global Change Program represents a National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contribution to evolving 
national and international programs designed to improve our ability to 
observe, understand, predict, and respond to changes in the global 
environment. This program builds on NOAA's mission requirements and 
long-standing capabilities in global change research and prediction. 
The NOAA Program is a key contributing element of the U.S. Global 
Change Research Program (USGCRP), which is coordinated by the 
interagency Committee on Environmental and Natural Resources. NOAA's 
program is designed to complement other agencies' contributions to that 
national effort.
    All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements 
below. Failure to heed these guidelines will result in proposals being 
returned without review.

DATES: Unless otherwise noted, strict deadlines for submission to the 
FY 2004 process are: Full Proposals must be received at the Office of 
Global Programs no later than 5 p.m. EDT 60 Business Days after the 
Announcement appears in the Federal Register. Letters of Intent should 
be received at the Office of Global Programs no later than 5 p.m. EDT 
20 Business Days after the Announcement appears in the Federal 
Register.

ADDRESSES: Full Proposals must be submitted to: NOAA Office of Global 
Programs; 1100 Wayne Avenue, Suite 1210; Silver Spring, MD 20910-5603. 
It is important to note that Full Proposals may not be submitted via 
facsimile or e-mail.
    General Information Contact: Diane Brown at the above address, or 
[email protected] 301-427-2089 ext. 107, fax: 301-427-2222.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Funding Availability

    NOAA believes that the Climate and Global Change Program will 
benefit significantly from a strong partnership with outside 
investigators. Please be advised that actual funding levels will depend 
upon the final FY 2004 budget appropriations. In FY 2002, approximately 
$6,000,000 in first year funding was available for approximately 60 new 
awards.
    This Program Announcement is for projects to be conducted by 
investigators outside the Federal Government, primarily over a one-, 
two- or three-year period. The NOAA Climate and Global Change Program 
has been approved for multi-year funding up to a three-year duration. 
The funding instrument for awards will be a grant unless it is 
anticipated that NOAA will be substantially involved in the 
implementation of the project, in which case the funding instrument 
should be a cooperative agreement. Examples of substantial involvement 
may include, but are not limited to, proposals for collaboration 
between NOAA or NOAA

[[Page 23698]]

scientists and a recipient scientist or technician and/or contemplation 
by NOAA of detailing Federal personnel to work on proposed projects. 
NOAA will make decisions regarding the use of a cooperative agreement 
on a case-by-case basis. Funding for contractual arrangements for 
services and products for delivery to NOAA is not available under this 
announcement. Matching share is not required by this program.

2. Program Authority

    49 U.S.C. 44720 (b); 33 U.S.C. 883d; 15 U.S.C. 2904; 15 U.S.C. 
2931-2934; (CFDA No. 11.431)--Climate and Atmospheric Research.

3. Program Elements

    In FY 2004, NOAA will only accept individual proposals in the Main 
Program Elements listed below. The names, affiliations and phone 
numbers of relevant Climate and Global Change Program Managers are 
provided. Investigators are encouraged to visit the Climate & Global 
Change Program Web page (http://www.ogp.noaa.gov/) for general program 
information prior to submitting full proposals. Applicants may also 
communicate with Program Managers for information.

(A) Atmospheric Composition and Climate (ACC)

    The Atmospheric Composition and Climate Program pursues two overall 
research objectives: (1) to improve the predictive understanding of the 
radiative forcing of the climate system by aerosols and by chemically-
active greenhouse gases, such as tropospheric ozone and methane, and 
(2) to better characterize the recovery of the stratospheric ozone 
layer, including its role in climate change. The integrated research 
activities that address these objectives involve instrument 
development, global observations, laboratory studies, and theoretical 
modeling by NOAA and extramural partners. A hallmark of the Program is 
that its objectives are cooperatively framed with both national and 
international collaborators. Nationally, the Program's aerosol research 
is part of the interagency National Aerosol Climate Interaction Program 
(NACIP). Internationally, the Program's research contributes to the 
projects of the International Global Atmospheric Chemistry (IGAC) 
program of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program (IGBP), and 
the Stratospheric Processes and their role in Climate (SPARC) program 
of the World Climate Research Program (WCRP).
    For FY 2004, proposals are encouraged that support three 
activities:
    (1) Intercontinental Transport and Chemical Transformation (ITCT)--
a part of IGAC. The interagency-international ITCT-2K4 study is aimed 
at providing observational data and diagnostic studies needed to 
evaluate and improve model estimates of the outflow of chemicals from 
North America across the Atlantic Ocean and to evaluate the impact of 
these compounds on the radiative balance and chemistry of the 
atmosphere over the Eastern United States and North Atlantic. Proposals 
are encouraged that target: (a) Development of measurement techniques 
related to this study (and other such field studies), (b) carrying out 
atmospheric measurements needed to determine the sources and processes 
that govern the distribution of ozone and the distribution and 
chemical/radiative properties of aerosols over this region, and (c) 
development, evaluation, and application of theoretical models that can 
simulate these chemical/radiative effects and their influence on the 
radiative balance in the earth's atmosphere.
    (2) Regular vertical profiling of aerosols. NOAA is expanding its 
effort at carrying out regular measurements of aerosols and their 
properties at selected sites using small aircraft. Proposals are sought 
that focus on developing measurement techniques that are applicable to 
such studies.
    (3) Aerosol indirect effects. In addition, proposals are encouraged 
for developing and carrying out new techniques and approaches to 
understanding the relation between the atmospheric concentration and 
chemical composition of aerosols and their effect on cloud microphysics 
and radiative properties.
    More information about these activities can be found on the 
Internet: http://www.al.noaa.gov/WWWHD/pubdocs/ and the Atmospheric 
Composition and Climate Home page: http://www.ogp.noaa.gov/mpe/atmochem. For further information, investigators may contact one of the 
NOAA program managers, Kea Duckenfield of the Office of Global Programs 
([email protected], 301-427-2089 ext. 112, fax: 301-427-2073) or 
Fred C. Fehsenfeld of the Aeronomy Laboratory ([email protected], 303-
497-5819).

(B) Climate Observation

    The goal of this element is to build and sustain the global climate 
observing system that is needed to satisfy the long-term observational 
requirements of the operational forecast centers, international 
research programs, and major scientific assessments. The element 
supports in-situ ocean components that contribute to global networks 
for understanding climate variability and change, the global water 
cycle, and the global carbon cycle, and looks for efficiencies to be 
gained by utilizing common platforms/sites/data infrastructure for 
several objectives in parallel. This program element will not accept 
applications for new projects in FY 2004. For further information, 
investigators may contact the NOAA program manager, Michael Johnson 
([email protected], 301-427-2089 ext. 169, fax: 301-427-2073).

(C) Climate and Societal Interactions (CSI)

    Research on Vulnerability, Opportunities, and Response Options. 
Variability, change, and surprise results from a wide variety of 
climatological, social, economic and ecological circumstances and 
interactions. The purpose of this program is to increase understanding 
of the impacts of climate variability and change as conditioned by 
ongoing processes of decision-making and socio-economic transformation. 
The suite of efforts is intended to further research-based integration 
between studies of the whole of the climate system, including human 
components, such as health, and evolving informational and educational 
needs of decision-makers in climate sensitive sectors around the world. 
The goal is to provide the basis for more effective application of 
climate information, including climate forecasts, for purposes of 
adaptation. The intent of this program is to encourage overlapping 
research approaches to integrate knowledge for problem solving. The CSI 
is a chapeau for a suite of activities. CSI Web site information is 
available at: http://www.ogp.noaa.gov/mpe/csi/index.htm. Prospective 
applicants must apply to one of the following CSI program elements:
    Human Dimensions of Global Change Research (HDGCR)--One of the main 
goals of the HDGCR program is understanding and analyzing the decision 
process as it relates to information about a dynamic climate system. 
The program is interested in building on analyses, modeling, and field 
work of societal adaptation to climate and the use of scientific 
information. For further information, investigators may contact one of 
the NOAA program managers, Nancy Beller-Simms ([email protected], 301-427-2089 ext. 180, fax: 301-427-2082) or Caitlin 
Simpson ([email protected], 301-427-2089 ext. 152, fax: 301-427-
2082).

[[Page 23699]]

    Climate Variability and Health Program (CVHP)--It is anticipated 
that a joint interagency and private sector announcement of opportunity 
for research on climate variability and human health will be published 
in a future Federal Register Notice. For more information, 
investigators may contact the NOAA program manager, Juli Trtanj 
([email protected], 301-427-2089 ext. 134).
    Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (RISA)--The Regional 
Integrated Sciences and Assessments (RISA) program possesses three 
distinct qualities: (1) Interdisciplinary, integration and synthesis; 
(2) Bridging the gap between climatic, environmental and societal 
interactions on different temporal and spatial scales; and (3) Decision 
support and services. It requires innovative partnerships among a 
spectrum of interested parties (Federal, State, local and private) to 
enable regional organizational capacity to develop accurate (i.e., 
identifying risks, uncertainties, and/or indeterminacies), balanced 
syntheses and services on an ongoing basis. As such, the program relies 
heavily on consolidating the results and data from ongoing NOAA-OGP 
disciplinary program elements, already funded in a region, into an 
integrated framework. This program will not accept applications to 
initiate new activities. For further information, investigators may 
contact the NOAA program manager, Harvey Hill ([email protected], 
301-427-2089 ext. 197, fax: 301-427-2082).
    Environment, Science and Development (ESD)--The goal of the ESD 
program is to enhance our understanding of societal capacity to adapt 
to climate in the context of integrated environment, science and 
development issues. The program is designed to stimulate and support 
solution-oriented, place-based research most relevant to the influence 
of climate on development objectives and disaster preparedness. ESD 
seeks to apply this knowledge to improve the institutional, scientific 
and technical capacity needed to successfully apply climate information 
to practical challenges associated with sustainable development. 
Collaborative, multi-disciplinary proposals are encouraged. For more 
information, investigators may contact one of the NOAA program 
managers, Lisa Farrow Vaughan ([email protected], 301-427-2089 ext. 
132, fax: 301-427-2082) or Candyce Clark ([email protected], 301-
427-2089 ext. 114, fax: 301-427-2082).

(D) Climate Change Data and Detection (CCDD)

    The scientific goals of this element include efforts to: (1) 
Provide data and information management support to assure the 
availability of critical data sets for a variety of international 
programs and assessments of primary interest to NOAA's C&GC Program, 
e.g., WCRP (World Climate Research Program) and IGBP (International 
Geosphere Biosphere Program), GCOS (the Global Climate Observing 
System), the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), as well 
as national programs and assessments, e.g., Pan-American Climate 
Studies (PACS), U.S. CLIVAR (Climate Variability and Predictability) 
Program, the U.S. National Climate Assessment, the Tri-lateral North 
American Climate Extremes Assessment, etc.; (2) develop, quality 
control, and evaluate data sets and quantify time-dependent biases 
(homogeneity) for cross-cutting science necessary to improve our 
ability to describe, understand, and predict seasonal, interannual, 
decadal, and longer-term climate variations and changes; (3) calibrate, 
validate, and blend existing data sets from a variety of observing 
systems, including space-based, in-situ, and model-data (data set 
enrichment); (4) document the quantitative character of observed 
climate variations and changes (climate change detection); and (5) 
attribute changes in the observed climate record to specific climate 
forcings (climate change attribution).
    For further information, investigators may contact one of the NOAA 
program managers, Chris Miller ([email protected], 301-427-
2089 ext.143, fax: 301-427-2073) or Bill Murray 
([email protected], 301-427-2089 ext. 133, fax: 301-427-2073). 
Additional information may also be obtained from the DOE contact, Rick 
Petty (Rick.Petty.oer.doe.gov, 301-903-5548); or the NSF contact, David 
Verardo ([email protected], 703-292-8527).

(E) Climate Dynamics and Experimental Prediction (CDEP)

    Climate Dynamics and Experimental Prediction, through a set of 
Applied Research Centers (ARCs), supports NOAA's program for 
quantitative assessments and predictions of global climate variability 
and its regional implications on time scales of seasonal to centennial. 
The ARCs employ dynamical models in diagnostic and predictive mode as 
central integrators in a program of research, development and 
experimental applications intended to improve the National capability 
to predict the Earth's climate system. In FY 2004, this program will 
not accept applications for new Centers. For further information, 
investigators may contact the NOAA program manager, Anjuli Bamzai 
([email protected], 301-427-2089 ext. 113, fax: 301-427-2073).

(F) Climate Variability and Predictability (CLIVAR)

    The U.S. CLIVAR program seeks to observe, model and understand 
patterns of climate variability on seasonal to decadal time scales and 
to assess the predictability of such climate variability. The ultimate 
goal of NOAA's participation in CLIVAR is to develop skilful 
predictions of climate variability and change on seasonal to multi-
decadal time scales and regional spatial scales for optimal use in 
resource planning and policy decision making. The program is designed 
to understand global climate variability; to determine the spatial and 
temporal extent to which this variability is predictable; to develop 
the observational, theoretical, and computational means to predict 
variability; and to make enhanced predictions, where feasible. NOAA's 
research focuses on large-scale recurrent patterns of variability that 
influence climate on the regional scale, particularly over the U.S. 
Among these patterns are the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), 
Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), Tropical Atlantic Variability (TAV), 
the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), and the American monsoon systems.
    NOAA's CLIVAR programs focus on improving seasonal to interannual 
climate prediction (Pan American Climate Studies program) and assessing 
global climate variability and change on seasonal to decadal and 
centennial time scales (CLIVAR Atlantic and CLIVAR Pacific programs). 
For an information sheet containing further details for research in 
each of these regions, visit NOAA's CLIVAR Web site at: http://www.ogp.noaa.gov/mpe/clivar/index.htm.
    For further information on CLIVAR Atlantic, investigators may 
contact the NOAA program manager, James Todd ([email protected], 301-
427-2089 ext. 139, fax: 301-427-2073). For further information on 
CLIVAR Pacific, investigators may contact the NOAA program manager, 
Ming Ji ([email protected], 301-427-2089 ext. 189, fax: 301-427-2073). 
For further information on Pan American Climate Studies (PACS), 
investigators may contact the NOAA program manager,

[[Page 23700]]

Michael Patterson ([email protected], 301-427-2089 ext. 102, 
fax: 301-427-2073).

(G) PACS/GAPP North American Warm Season Precipitation

    The goal of this joint PACS/GAPP North American Warm Season 
Precipitation initiative is to improve understanding and prediction of 
warm season precipitation over North America through studies of North 
American monsoon system, with emphasis on seasonal to inter-annual time 
scales. The initiative's objectives include: (1) Better understanding 
and more realistic simulation of the evolution of the North American 
monsoon system and its variations; (2) better understanding and more 
realistic simulation of the response of the warm season atmospheric 
circulation and precipitation patterns to slowly varying boundary 
conditions (e.g., SST, soil moisture); (3) better understanding of the 
role of the North American monsoon system in the global water cycle and 
regional climate variability; (4) improved intraseasonal to interannual 
prediction of the North American monsoon system and regional water 
resources. More information is available at the PACS and GAPP Web 
sites: http://www.ogp.noaa.gov/mpe/clivar/pacs/index.htm and http://www.ogp.noaa.gov/mpe/gapp/gapp/index.htm. For further information, 
investigators may contact one of the NOAA program managers, Michael 
Patterson ([email protected], 301-427-2089 ext. 102, fax: 301-
427-2073) or Jin Huang ([email protected], 301-427-2089 ext. 148, fax: 
301-427-2073).

(H) GEWEX Americas Prediction Project (GAPP)

    GAPP is jointly supported by NOAA and NASA. Initiatives are 
solicited which have a geographical focus on the western USA or the 
Mississippi River Basin, and address the following GAPP priorities:
    1. Land Surface Memory Processes: The anticipated availability of 
the regional reanalysis in the autumn of 2003 will provide new 
opportunities to study the effects of land processes over the GAPP 
study area on seasonal and interannual time scales. Proposals linking 
the regional reanalysis products to studies of vegetation, soil 
moisture and snow and their roles in the seasonal predictability of 
precipitation and streamflow are encouraged. The use of regional 
reanalysis and satellite data in regional water and energy budget 
studies is also encouraged. Other land memory process studies and 
modeling studies in the GAPP region will also be considered, 
particularly if they contribute to the understanding of the 
predictability of precipitation or new applications of satellite data 
in climate research.
    2. Orographic Processes: Studies linking the meteorology and 
hydrology of the Western Cordillera are encouraged. These studies could 
involve process studies or studies on seasonal time scales with high 
spatial resolution. Phenomena of significant interest include 
precipitation, snow pack formation and melt, and runoff generation. The 
contributions of satellite data to resolving mountain processes will 
also be considered.
    In addition, consideration will be given to studies related to the 
role of land in seasonal to interannual predictability, the Coordinated 
Enhanced Observing Period (CEOP) and water resources where demonstrable 
gaps exist in the current GAPP program.
    Details about GAPP are available through the GAPP Science Plan and 
on the GAPP Web site at: http://www.ogp.noaa.gov/mpe/gapp/index.htm. 
For further information, investigators may contact one of the NOAA 
program managers, Rick Lawford ([email protected], 301-427-2089 
ext. 146, fax: 301-427-2073), or Jin Huang ([email protected], 301-
427-2089 ext.148, fax: 301-427-2073). Information may also be obtained 
from the NASA program contact, Jared Entin ([email protected], 202-
358-1847).

(I) Global Carbon Cycle (GCC)

    The U.S. Interagency Carbon Cycle Science Program (CCSP) seeks to 
answer two overarching questions: (1) How large and variable are the 
dynamic reservoirs and fluxes of carbon within the Earth system, and 
how might carbon cycling change and be changed in future years, decades 
and centuries?, and (2) What are our options for managing carbon 
sources and sinks to achieve an appropriate balance of risk, costs, and 
benefits to society? For further information on the interagency 
program, please consult the web at: http://www.carboncyclescience.gov.
    NOAA's participation in the U.S. program focuses on three main 
goals: (1) Quantifying spatial patterns and variability of carbon 
sources and sinks at global to regional scales; (2) Documenting the 
fate of anthropogenic CO2 in the atmosphere and oceans; and 
(3) Improving future climate predictions by incorporating a dynamical 
understanding of the carbon cycle into models. To achieve these goals, 
the GCC program focuses on oceanic and atmospheric observations, 
process-oriented field studies and modeling. Information and current 
project abstracts can be found on the web at: http://www.ogp.noaa.gov/mpe/gcc/index/html.
    For further information, investigators may contact the NOAA program 
manager, Kathy Tedesco ([email protected], 301-427-2089 ext. 119, 
fax: 301-427-2073).

4. Eligibility

    Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education, other 
nonprofits, commercial organizations, international organizations, 
state, local and Indian tribal governments. Proposals selected for 
funding will be funded through a project grant or cooperative agreement 
under the terms of this notice.

5. Letters of Intent (LOI)

    The purpose of the LOI process is to provide information to 
potential applicants on the relevance of their proposed project to the 
Climate and Global Change Program and the likelihood of it being funded 
in advance of preparing a full proposal. While it is in the best 
interest of the applicants and their institutions to submit an LOI, it 
is not a requirement; applicants who do not submit an LOI are allowed 
to submit a full proposal. Full proposals will be encouraged only for 
LOIs deemed relevant.
    The LOI should provide a concise description of the proposed work 
and its relevance to the targeted program element. The LOI should 
include the components listed below. If these components are not 
included, the LOI risks a delayed response and may not be considered by 
the program reviewers. (A) Identification of the program element that 
is being targeted in the LOI. (B) Specification of a tentative project 
title in the LOI. (C) Name(s) and institution(s) of all principal 
investigator(s), and specification of which individual is the Lead 
principal Investigator. LOIs should be no more than two pages in length 
and must include a statement of the problem, brief summary of work to 
be completed, methodology to be used, and approximate cost of the 
project. LOIs are encouraged to be submitted by facsimile or e-mail to 
the identified NOAA program element's program manager.
    A panel of program managers will review each LOI to determine 
whether the LOI is responsive to the program goals as advertised in 
this notice. An LOI response (e-mail or letter) will be sent back to 
the investigator encouraging or discouraging a full proposal. The final 
decision to submit a

[[Page 23701]]

full proposal will be made by the investigator.

6. Evaluation Criteria

    Evaluation criteria for proposals are:
    (A) Scientific/Technical Merit: Intrinsic scientific value of the 
subject and the study proposed. (50%)
    (B) Importance/Relevance and Applicability: Importance and 
relevance to the goals of the selected Program Element(s). (See Program 
Elements descriptions above.) (50%)

7. Selection Procedures

    Proposals will be evaluated in accordance with the above evaluation 
criteria by (A) independent peer mail reviewers, and/or (B) independent 
peer panel reviewers consisting of both Federal and non-Federal 
experts. Only mail reviewers may be used if only a few applications are 
received. If peer panel reviewers evaluate all proposals, only their 
ratings may be used to establish the rank order.
    The peer mail reviewers and peer panel reviewers rate each proposal 
using the above two evaluation criteria. The proposals will be scored 
from 1, for poor, to 5, for excellent, on Scientific/Technical Merit 
and from 1, for low, to 5, for high, on Importance/Relevance. The 
scores from each reviewer for each proposal will be averaged to produce 
an average numerical score for the proposal. The average scores for all 
proposals result in a numerical rank order.
    Occasionally a reviewer may, due to lack of familiarity in a 
particular area, choose not to score a particular proposal. The scores 
from each peer panel reviewer for each proposal will be averaged to 
produce a single numerical score for the proposal. The average scores 
for all proposals result in a numerical rank order within each program 
element.
    If peer mail review and peer panel review are both conducted, the 
available peer mail reviews will be provided to the peer review panel 
for use in its deliberations prior to providing its ratings.
    If only a mail peer review was conducted, the Program Manager will 
use the rank numerical order of the mail reviews to determine funding 
recommendations. If only a peer panel review or both a peer panel 
review and a peer mail review were conducted, the Program Manager will 
use the numerical rank order of the peer review panel to determine 
funding recommendations.
    Normally, the Program Manager will recommend proposals to the 
Selecting Official in numerical rank order. Infrequently, the Program 
Manager may recommend a proposal out of numerical rank order based upon 
one or more of the following selection factors: (1) Duplication with 
other projects that are funded or considered for funding by NOAA or 
other federal agencies, (2) applicant's prior award performance, (3) 
program priorities and policy factors described with each program 
element above, (4) balance/distribution of funds across program 
elements. The Program Manager will also determine the total duration of 
funding and the amount of funding for each selected proposal, which may 
be less than proposal and budget requested.
    The Program Manager submits his/her recommendations to the 
Selecting Official who reviews the recommendations. The Selecting 
Official may reject or accept the recommendation for any proposal 
selected out of numerical rank order based upon any of the above 
selection factors, as well as upon the availability of funding. The 
Selecting Official then presents his/her recommendations to the Grants 
Management Division.
    Unsuccessful applications will be retained for 1 year and then 
destroyed.

8. Proposal Submission

    The following forms are required in each application, with original 
signatures on each federal form. Failure to comply will result in 
proposal application being returned.
    (A) Full Proposals: (1) Proposals submitted to the NOAA Climate and 
Global Change Program must include the original and two unbound copies 
of the proposal. (2) Investigators are required to submit 3 copies of 
the proposal, however, the normal review process requires 15 copies. 
For an optimal review, investigators are encouraged to submit 
sufficient proposal copies, especially color or unusually sized (not 
8.5''x11''), or otherwise unusual materials submitted as part of the 
proposal. Only three original copies of the Federally-required forms 
are needed. (3) Proposals must be limited to 30 pages (numbered), 
including budget, investigators vitae, and all appendices, and should 
be limited to funding requests for one to three year duration. Appended 
information may not be used to circumvent the page length limit. 
Federally-mandated forms are not included within the page count. (4) 
Proposals should be sent to the NOAA Office of Global Programs at the 
above address. (5) Facsimile transmissions and electronic mail 
submission of full proposals will not be accepted.
    (B) Required Elements: All proposals must include the following 
elements: (1) Signed title page: The title page should be signed by the 
Principal Investigator (PI) and the institutional representative and 
should clearly indicate which program element is being addressed. If 
more than one investigator is listed on the title page, please identify 
the lead investigator. The PI and institutional representative should 
be identified by full name, title, organization, telephone number and 
address. The total amount of Federal funds being requested should be 
listed for each budget period. (2) Abstract: An abstract must be 
included and should contain an introduction of the problem, rationale 
and a brief summary of work to be completed. The abstract should appear 
on a separate page, headed with the proposal title, institution(s), 
investigator(s), total proposed cost and budget period. (3) Results 
from prior research: The results of each prior research project (during 
the last 3 years) relevant to the proposed effort should be summarized 
in brief paragraphs. This section should not exceed two pages. (4) 
Statement of work: The proposed project must be completely described, 
including identification of the problem, scientific objectives, 
proposed methodology, relevance to the goal of the Climate and Global 
Change Program, and the program priorities listed above. Benefits of 
the proposed project to the general public and the scientific community 
should be discussed. The statement of work, including references but 
excluding figures and other visual materials, must not exceed 15 pages 
of text. Investigators wishing to submit group proposals that exceed 
the 15 page limit should discuss this possibility with the appropriate 
Program Manager prior to submission. Proposals from 3 or more 
investigators may include a statement of work containing up to 15 pages 
of overall project description plus up to 5 additional pages for 
individual project descriptions. (5) Budget Justification: A brief 
description of the expenses listed on the budget and how they address 
the proposed work. Item justifications must include salaries, 
equipment, publications, supplies, tuition, travel, etc. (6) Budget: 
The proposal must include total and annual itemized budgets 
corresponding with the descriptions provided in the statement of work. 
Non-Federal Applicants must submit a Standard Form 424 (7-97) 
``Application for Federal Assistance,'' including a detailed budget 
using the Standard Form 424a (7-97), ``Budget Information--Non-
Construction Programs.'' Travel must be itemized to include 
destination, airfare, per diem,

[[Page 23702]]

lodging and ground travel. The form is included in the standard NOAA 
application kit. (7) Vitae: Abbreviated curriculum vitae are sought 
with each proposal. Reference lists should be limited to all 
publications in the last three years with up to five other relevant 
papers. (8) Current and pending support: For each investigator, submit 
a list that includes project title, supporting agency with grant 
number, investigator months per year, dollar value and duration. 
Requested values should be listed for pending support.
    (C) Other requirements: Applicants may obtain a standard NOAA 
application kit from the OGP Web page: http://www.ogp.noaa.gov/grants/appkit.htm.

9. Lower Tier Certifications

    (A) The total dollar amount of the indirect costs proposed in an 
application under this program must not exceed the indirect cost rate 
negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal agency prior to the 
proposed effective date of the award or 100 percent of the total 
proposed direct cost dollar amount in the application, whichever is 
less.
    (B) If an application is selected for funding, the Department of 
Commerce has no obligation to provide any additional future funding in 
connection with the award. Renewal of an award to increase funding or 
extend the period of performance is at the total discretion of the 
Department of Commerce.

10. Classification

    This notice contains collection-of-information requirements subject 
to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The use of Standard Forms 424, 424A, 
and SF-LLL have been approved by OMB under the respective control 
numbers 0348-0043, 0348-0044, and 0348-0046. Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, no person is required to respond to nor shall a 
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. This notice has been determined to be not 
significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    Applications proposed for funding are subject to the requirements 
of Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs''. This Notice has been determined to be ``not significant'' 
for purposes of Executive Order 12866. It has been determined that this 
notice does not contain policies with Federalism implications as that 
term is defined in Executive Order 13132. Because notice and comment 
are not required under 5 U.S.C. 553, or any other law, for this notice 
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. Pursuant to 
Executive Orders 13256, 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: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OCR/99minin.html.
    The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification of Requirements 
for Grants and Cooperative Agreements contained in the Federal Register 
notice of October 1, 2001 (66 FR 49917), as amended by the Federal 
Register notice published on October 30, 2002 (67 FR 66109), is 
applicable to this solicitation.

Daniel L. Albritton,
Assistant Administrator (Acting), Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-10936 Filed 5-2-03; 8:45 am]
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