[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 159 (Wednesday, August 19, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53607-53608]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-16884]
[[Page 53607]]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Solicitation of Nominations for Membership on the NOAA Science
Advisory Board (SAB)
AGENCY: Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce
(DOC).
ACTION: Notice of solicitation of nominations for membership on the
NOAA Science Advisory Board.
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SUMMARY: The NOAA Science Advisory Board (SAB) is the only Federal
Advisory Committee with responsibility to advise the Under Secretary of
Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere on long- and short-range strategies
for research, education and the application of science to resource
management and environmental assessment and prediction. NOAA seeks
candidates with expertise in areas relevant to its mission, including
Federal, State, and local government; social and behavioral sciences;
artificial intelligence and machine learning; high performance
computing; data management, including open access and accessibility;
uncrewed systems; whale research and conservation; aircraft systems and
modernization; and economic analysis, including cost-benefit evaluation
of observing systems.
NOAA also encourages nominations of qualified mid-career scientists
and engineers.
DATES: Nominations should be sent to the email address specified below
and must be received no more than 30 days after publication of this
notice.
ADDRESSES: Nominations and applications should be submitted
electronically to the SAB Designated Federal Officer (DFO), at
[email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Casey Stewart, SAB Designated Federal
Officer (DFO), SSMC3, Room 11360, 1315 East-West Hwy., Silver Spring,
MD 20910; Phone Number: 240-653-8297; Email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The NOAA Science Advisory Board (SAB) is a Federal advisory
committee established under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA),
5 U.S.C. 1001 et seq. The SAB advises NOAA leadership on matters
related to science and technology, research priorities, and the
integration of science into NOAA operations.
NOAA seeks to maintain a balanced membership that reflects an
interdisciplinary nature of expertise, sectors, and perspectives
relevant to NOAA's mission.
Recruitment
Phased Recruitment Approach
To ensure continuity of operations and timely filling of vacancies,
NOAA will use a phased recruitment and appointment approach. This
approach allows NOAA to:
Maintain a ready pool of highly qualified candidates
Fill vacancies as they occur, including mid-term departures
Support leadership succession planning, including Vice Chair
roles
Ensure compliance with FACA balance and membership
requirements
Candidates selected through this process may be appointed at
different times through January 31, 2028, depending on Board needs.
Scope of Nominations
NOAA is interested in candidates with expertise in, but not limited
to: Weather, water, and climate science and prediction, ocean science
and technology, Data science, artificial intelligence, and machine
learning, environmental information systems, Space Commerce and
explorations, Social and behavioral sciences related to environmental
decision-making, Public-private partnerships and the weather
enterprise.
Membership Criteria
Members are selected based on: Scientific and technical expertise;
Leadership experience; Ability to contribute to SAB activities and
working groups; Availability to participate actively in meetings and
intersessional work; Absence of conflicts of interest.
Terms of Service
Appointments are typically for a term of three years, with the
possibility of reappointment, subject to applicable policies and Board
needs. Terms may be staggered to maintain continuity.
Selection Process
Nominations will be reviewed by NOAA and evaluated based on
expertise, Board needs, and balance considerations. Final appointments
are made by the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere
or designee. Individuals selected for Federal Advisory Committee
Membership become a Special Government Employee (SGE) of the United
States Government. According to 18 U.S.C. 202(a), a SGE(s) is an
officer or employee of an agency who is retained, designated,
appointed, or employed to perform temporary duties, with or without
compensation, not to exceed 130 days during any period of 365
consecutive days, either on a full time or intermittent basis. After
the selection process is complete applicants selected to serve on the
Board must complete the following actions before they can be appointed
as a Board member: (a) Security Clearance (online Background Security
Check process and fingerprinting conducted through NOAA Workforce
Management), and (b) Confidential Financial Disclosure Report. SGEs are
required to file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report annually to
avoid involvement in any real or apparent conflict of interest.
Nominations
Interested persons may nominate themselves or others for membership
on the SAB. An application is required for all candidates, including
those nominated by third parties. The application package must include
the following: (1) The nominee's full name, title, institutional
affiliation, and contact information; (2) The nominee's area of
industry perspective (academia, commercial service provider, or end-
user); (3) A short description of qualifications relative to the advice
solicited in this Notice; and (4) A current resume (maximum of four
pages). All nomination information must be provided in a single,
complete package, and must be sent to the SAB DFO at the electronic
address provided above with the subject line ``Application for SAB
Membership 2026''.
Privacy Act
Privacy Act Statement: Authority. The collection of information
concerning nominations to the NSGAB FAC is authorized under the FACA,
as amended, 5 U.S.C. App. and its implementing regulations, 41 CFR part
102-3, and in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended,
(Privacy Act) 5 U.S.C. 552a.
Purpose. The collection of names, contact information, resumes,
professional information, and qualifications is required in order for
the Under Secretary to appoint members to the NOAA SAB FAC.
Routine Uses. NOAA will use the nomination information for the
purpose set forth above. The Privacy Act of 1974
[[Page 53608]]
authorizes disclosure of the information collected to NOAA staff for
work-related purposes and for other purposes only as set forth in the
Privacy Act and for routine uses published in the Privacy Act System of
Records Notice COMMERCE/DEPT-11: Candidates for Membership, Members,
and Former Members of Department of Commerce Advisory Committees,
available at https://www.osec.doc.gov/opog/PrivacyAct/SORNs/dept-11.html and the System of Records Notice COMMERCE/DEPT-18: Employees
Personnel Files Not Covered by Notices of Other Agencies, available at
https://www.osec.doc.gov/opog/PrivacyAct/SORNs/DEPT-18.html.
Disclosure. Furnishing the nomination information is voluntary;
however, if the information is not provided, the individual would not
be considered for appointment as a member of the NOAA SAB FAC.
Nikola Garber,
Deputy Director of Sea Grant, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric
Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2026-16884 Filed 8-18-26; 8:45 am]
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