[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 226 (Friday, November 25, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-29036]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: November 25, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 2118]
Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific
Affairs; United States Man and the Biosphere Program: Request for
Proposals for the Biosphere Reserve Directorate
The Biosphere Reserve (BR) Directorate of the U.S. Man and the
Biosphere Program (U.S. MAB) announces a catalytic grants program to
support Biosphere Reserve workshops and partnership-building activities
that promote cooperative regional, ecosystem-based initiatives.
A total of $50,000 is available to support small grants in two
distinct categories: (1) $20,000 in total for conferences, workshops or
forums; and (2) $30,000 in total for partnership projects. The
projected maximum single grant award is $10,000. Grants are expected to
average between $4,000 and $8,000. Persons interested in applying for
these grants are encouraged to first obtain a copy of Strategic Plan
for the U.S. Biosphere Reserve Program, from the U.S. MAB Secretariat.
Funding Objectives
The purpose of the grants is to assist projects that produce short-
term tangible results furthering the mission of the United States
Biosphere Reserve Program as defined in, Strategic Plan for the U.S.
Biosphere Reserve Program, dated November 1994.
``The mission of the U.S. Biosphere Reserve Program is to establish
and support a U.S. network of designated biosphere reserves that are
fully representative of the biogeographical areas of the United States.
The program promotes a sustainable balance among the conservation of
biological diversity, compatible economic use, and cultural values,
through public and private partnerships, interdisciplinary research,
education, and communication.''
Focal Issues
Within the mission of the U.S. Biosphere Reserve Program, the
directorate seeks to support two to four conferences in 1995. A wide
range of conference and workshop topics are eligible. For example: A
forum for Biosphere Reserves stakeholders at a single Biosphere
Reserves unit or cluster of units; a regional or local vision setting
workshop; or a conference for Biosphere Reserves stakeholders from
throughout a region focusing on an issue or management approach of
shared interest. Other ideas for conferences and workshop topics
promoting the mission of Biosphere Reserves are welcome.
The U.S. Biosphere Reserve Directorate also intends to support
three to six partnership projects in 1995. Proposals are sought which
strengthen cooperative relationships for enhancing the functions of
Biosphere Reserves. Innovative and new approaches to conservation
challenges will be given priority. Examples of eligible projects could
include: Assessing natural or cultural resources; building public
support for conservation and sustainable development; fostering
demonstrations of cooperative ecosystem management or, developing local
planning mechanisms. Other ideas for partnership projects that promote
the mission of Biosphere Reserves are welcome. Feasibility studies of
expanding the activities of existing Biosphere Reserves to more fully
implement the regional, ecosystem-based mission of the BR program also
are encouraged. However, feasibility studies for designating new
Biosphere Reserve units are ineligible.
Proposals may include a request for staff support only if the
proposal and the staff position are related to expanding the regional
activities of a Biosphere Reserve or promoting a cooperative program
involving multiple agencies and nongovernmental partners.
Proposal Content
Each proposal should have a title page and a one page synopsis of
the proposal activities.
A maximum of three additional pages should describe: (1) The
affected Biosphere Reserve or Biosphere Reserve Cluster; (2) the
applicant's relationship to the Biosphere Reserve; (3) the proposed
conference or partnership project; (4) how the proposed conference or
project relates to past, current, and projected BR activities at the
site; (5) how the proposal complies generally and specifically with the
evaluation criteria; and (6) how the results of the conference or
activity will be evaluated.
All proposals must also include a one page itemized budget
including personnel, travel, operation, equipment/supplies with
justification. The budget page should show the status of any matching
funds to the proposed activity.
A one-page map of the affected Biosphere Reserve, showing if
possible, the BR zonation and if applicable, the site of the proposed
activities must be included.
The last page of the proposal should be a one-page letter of
endorsement from the Biosphere Reserve manager or managers. If the
proposed activity would involve or benefit more than one Biosphere
Reserve, one page letters of endorsement should indicate the support of
the managers of the involved or affected Biosphere Reserves. Biosphere
Reserve managers should endorse no more than one single proposal in
each funding category this year.
Evaluation and Review Process
A review panel of the U.S. Biosphere Reserve Directorate will
evaluate proposals based upon the following criteria:
--Alignment of the proposal with the mission and goals of the United
States Biosphere Reserve Program as defined in the ``Strategic Plan for
the U.S. Biosphere Reserve Program'' dated November 1994, available
from the U.S. MAB Secretariat, (address below);
--Likelihood that the proposal will result in tangible progress within
a year toward promoting cooperative regional, ecosystem based
initiatives that integrate conservation and sustainable development at
Biosphere Reserve sites;
--Demonstrated local support for the project;
--Innovation in implementing Biosphere Reserve functions;
--Potential to apply the concept or project at other BR site;
--Extent to which grant funds will be leveraged with matching funds or
support from other private or public sources;
--Capacity of the applicant to implement the proposal;
--Endorsement from Biosphere Reserve Manager(s).
Limitations. Grants may not be used for: institution overhead
academic research; acquisition of land, buildings, or capital
equipment; general support of agency functions; or political
activities. All grants should produce tangible results within one year.
Deadlines. Proposals must be postmarked by January 31, 1995. Awards
will be announced at the annual meeting of BR managers in the spring of
1995. Principals will receive from the U.S. MAB Secretariat copies of
all U.S. MAB/BR review evaluations of their proposals and a written
notification of the directorate's decision on their proposal.
For further information contact Dr. Roger Soles, U.S. MAB
Secretariat, OES/EGC/MAB, Department of State, Washington, DC 20522.
Tel. (703) 235-2946, Fax. (703) 235-3002.
Submission of Proposals
Mail proposals to: U.S. Man and the Biosphere Program, OES/EGC/MAB,
United States Department of State, Washington, DC 20522. Attention
Biosphere Reserve Directorate.
The deadline for proposals is January 31, 1995.
Dated: November 14, 1994.
Roger E. Sole,
Executive Director, U.S. Man and the Biosphere Program, Office of
Global Change.
[FR Doc. 94-29036 Filed 11-23-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-09-M