[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 210 (Monday, November 1, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 58809-58812] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-28572] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [Docket No. 990810211-9211-01] RIN 0648-ZA69 National Sea Grant College Program--National Marine Fisheries Service Joint Graduate Fellowship Programs in Population Dynamics and Marine Resource Economics AGENCY: National Sea Grant College Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice is to announce that the National Sea Grant College Program Office (NSGO), in fulfilling its broad educational responsibilities and to strengthen its collaboration with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and NMFS, in fulfilling its responsibilities to manage, conserve, and protect the Nation's living marine resources within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone and to provide the sound scientific information and analyses necessary for those purposes, have jointly established and are accepting applications for two new Graduate Fellowship Programs in (1) Population Dynamics and (2) Marine Resource Economics. Each program will provide grants to support two graduate students enrolled in relevant PhD degree programs in any university in the United States. Fellows would work on thesis problems of public interest and relevance and have summer internships under the guidance of a NMFS mentor at participating NMFS Science Centers, Laboratories, or Regional Offices. Applications must be submitted through one of the state Sea Grant Programs (see below). DATES: Applications must be received by February 15, 2000 by a state Sea Grant Program. ADDRESSES: Applications should be addressed to a state Sea Grant Program. Contact the appropriate state Sea Grant Program from the list below to obtain the mailing address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information can be obtained from Dr. Emory D. Anderson, Program Director for Fisheries, National Sea Grant College Program, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, tel: (301) 713-2435 ext. 144, e-mail: [email protected]; from any state Sea Grant Program (see below); or from any participating NMFS facility (see below). Sea Grant Programs University of Alaska, (907) 474-7086 University of California, (619) 534-4440 University of Connecticut, (860) 405-9128 University of Delaware, (302) 831-2841 University of Florida, (352) 392-5870 University of Georgia, (706) 542-6009 University of Hawaii, (808) 956-7031 University of Illinois, (765) 494-3593 Louisiana State University, (225) 388-6710 University of Maine, (207) 581-1436 University of Maryland, (301) 405-6209 Massachusetts Institute of Technology, (617) 253-7131 University of Michigan, (734) 763-1437 University of Minnesota, (218) 726-8106 Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, (228) 875-9341 University of New Hampshire, (603) 862-0122 New Jersey Marine Science Consortium, (732) 872-1300 State University of New York, (516) 632-6905 University of North Carolina, (919) 515-2454 Ohio State University, (614) 292-8949 Oregon State University, (541) 737-2714 University of Puerto Rico, (787) 832-3585 Purdue University, (765) 494-3593 University of Rhode Island, (401) 874-6800 South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium, (843) 727-2078 University of Southern California, (213) 740-1961 Texas A&M University, (409) 845-3854 Virginia Graduate Marine Science Consortium, (804) 924-5965 University of Washington, (206) 543-6600 University of Wisconsin, (608) 262-0905 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, (508) 289-2557 Participating NMFS Facilities (for Population Dynamics Program) Alaska Fisheries Science Center Auke Bay Laboratory, Juneau, AK; Contact person: Phillip Rigby; Tel: (907) 789-6653; E-mail: [email protected] National Marine Mammal Laboratory, Seattle, WA; Contact person: Douglas DeMaster; Tel: (206) 526-4047; E-mail: [email protected] Resource Ecology and Fisheries Management Division, Seattle, WA; Contact person: Richard Marasco; Tel: (206) 526-4172; E-mail: [email protected] Northwest Fisheries Science Center Montlake Laboratory, Seattle, WA; Contact person: Linda Jones; Tel: (206) 860-3200; E-mail: [email protected] Mark O. Hatfield Marine Science Center, Newport, OR; Contact person: Linda Jones; Tel: (206) 860-3200; E-mail: [email protected] Northeast Fisheries Science Center Woods Hole Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA; Contact person: Fredric Serchuk; Tel: (508) 495-2245; E-mail: [email protected] Southeast Fisheries Science Center Miami Laboratory, Miami, FL; Contact person: Joseph Powers; Tel: (305) 361-4295; E-mail: [email protected] Beaufort Laboratory, Beaufort, NC; Contact person: Douglas Vaughan; Tel: (252) 728-8761; E-mail: [email protected] Southwest Fisheries Science Center La Jolla Laboratory, La Jolla, CA; Contact person: Russell Vetter; Tel: (619) 546-7125; E-mail: [email protected] Pacific Fisheries Environmental [[Page 58810]] Laboratory, Pacific Grove, CA; Contact person: George Boehlert; Tel: (831) 648-8447; E-mail: [email protected] Honolulu Laboratory, Honolulu, HI; Contact person: Jerry Wetherall; Tel: (808) 983-5386; E-mail: [email protected] Santa Cruz/Tiburon Laboratory, Tiburon, CA; Contact person: Churchill Grimes; Tel: (415) 435-3149; E-mail: [email protected] Participating NMFS Facilities (for Marine Resource Economics Program) Northeast Fisheries Science Center Woods Hole Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA; Contact person: Philip Logan; Tel: (508) 495-2354; E-mail: [email protected] Southeast Regional Office St. Petersburg, FL; Contact person: Richard Raulerson; Tel: (727) 570-5335; E-mail: [email protected] Southwest Fisheries Science Center La Jolla Laboratory, La Jolla, CA; Contact persons: Cindy Thomson; Tel: (831) 459-3068; E-mail: [email protected]; Samuel Herrick; Tel: (619) 546-7111; E-mail: [email protected] Northwest Regional Office Seattle, WA; Contact person: Steve Freese; Tel: (206) 526-6117; E- mail: [email protected] Alaska Fisheries Science Center Resource Ecology and Fisheries Management Division, Seattle, WA; Contact person: Joseph Terry; Tel: (206) 526-4253; E-mail: [email protected] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: National Sea Grant College Program--National Marine Fisheries Service Joint Graduate Fellowship Programs in Population Dynamics and Marine Resource Economics I. Program Authority Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1127. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: 11.417, Sea Grant Support.) II. Introduction The National Sea Grant College Program Office (NSGO) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) have established a new Population Dynamics Fellowship Program and a new Marine Resource Economics Fellowship Program. Beginning in the summer of 2000, each program will support two students interested in careers related to (1) the population dynamics of living marine resources and the development and implementation of quantitative methods for assessing their status, and (2) the economics of the conservation and management of living marine resources. Two additional students will be supported by each program in each subsequent year up to a maximum of six students per program at a given time. The Population Dynamics Program will provide support for up to three years for two highly qualified graduate students working towards a PhD in population dynamics or related fields of study. The Marine Resource Economics Program will provide support for up to two years for two highly qualified graduate students working towards a PhD in marine resource economics, natural resource economics, or environmental economics. In addition to their major professor, Fellows are required to work closely with an expert (mentor) from NMFS who will provide data for their theses, serve on each Fellow's committee, and host an annual summer internship at the participating NMFS facility. The goals of these fellowships are to (1) encourage qualified applicants to pursue careers in (a) population dynamics and stock assessment methodology or (b) marine resource economics; (2) increase available expertise related to (a) the population dynamics and assessment of stock status of living marine resources or (b) economic analysis of living marine resource conservation and management decisions; (3) foster closer relationships between academic scientists and NMFS; and (4) provide real-world experience to graduate students and accelerate their career development. III. Eligibility Any student may apply who is a United States citizen or lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence. At the time of application, prospective Population Dynamics Fellows must be admitted to a PhD degree program in population dynamics or a related field such as applied mathematics, statistics, or quantitative ecology at a university in the United States, and prospective Marine Resource Economics Fellows must be in the process of completing at least two years of course work in a PhD degree program in natural resource economics or a related field at a university in the United States. IV. Application An application must be received by February 15, 2000 by the director of the state Sea Grant program nearest to the university in which the student is enrolled. The state Sea Grant director then forwards the application to the NSGO. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact participating NMFS facilities before submitting their application. Each application must include: (1) Complete curriculum vitae from both student and major professor; (2) an education and career goal statement from the applicant with emphasis on the applicant's interest in (a) marine population dynamics or the development and implementation of quantitative methods for assessing stock status of living marine resources, or (b) in marine resource economics (not to exceed two pages); (3) three letters of recommendation, with at least one from the student's major professor (a summary of the proposed thesis may be included if available); (4) official copies of all undergraduate and graduate student transcripts; and (5) (only for the Population Dynamics Program) proof of application, acceptance, and enrollment in the case of students entering graduate school (i.e., who have not yet completed one semester of graduate work) if they are selected for a fellowship. Each application must be accompanied by a written matching commitment, equal to half of the NSGO amount (see below), from the university to support the budget for the period of the award. Allocation of matching funds must be specified in the budget. In addition to stipend and tuition for the applicant, the budget should include funds for equipment, supplies, and travel necessary to carry out the proposed thesis research. Funds should also be allocated for one trip per year to the NOAA offices in Silver Spring, MD, for a meeting of all Fellows, mentors, and NSGO/NMFS Fellowship Program Managers. V. Award The award for each fellowship will be in the form of a grant of $38,000 per year, 50% ($19,000) of which will be contributed by NMFS, 33\1/3\% ($12,667) by the NSGO, and 16\2/3\% ($6,333) by the university as the required 50% match of NSGO funds. The portion of the award provided to each Fellow for salary (stipend), living expenses (per diem), tuition, and travel necessary to carry out the proposed thesis research and to attend the annual Fellows meeting in Silver Spring, MD, will be determined and distributed by the state Sea Grant program/ university in accordance with its guidelines. Indirect costs are not allowable for either the fellowship or for any costs associated with the fellowship, according to 15 CFR 917.11(e), Guidelines for Sea Grant Fellowships. [[Page 58811]] VI. Selection Criteria Selection criteria will include (1) academic ability (25%), (2) demonstrated research ability and interest in the field (25%), (3) diversity and appropriateness of academic background (particularly quantitative skills in the case of the Population Dynamics Program) (25%), (4) additional qualifying experience such as work (15%), (5) expertise of major professor (5%), and (6) ability to work well with others (5%). VII. Selection Selection is competitive. A selection team for each program consisting of experts in that discipline and representatives from the NSGO and NMFS will evaluate and rank the candidates using the above criteria. Two Fellows will be selected for each program by the NSGO/ NMFS Fellowship Program Managers based in part on rankings provided by the selection teams. In addition, Program Managers will base the selections on: (a) ascertaining which candidates best meet the program goals and whose proposed work will not substantially duplicate other projects currently funded or approved for funding by NOAA, and (b) ensuring that an appropriate NMFS mentor is available to work with the candidate. Accordingly, awards may not necessarily be made to the two highest-scoring candidates in each program. VIII. Timetable Applications must be received by February 15, 2000, by the state Sea Grant Program, and must be received by February 21, 2000, by the NSGO. Successful Fellows may expect to be notified by April 1, 2000. Fellowships, when initially awarded, will commence on or about June 1, 2000, pending completion of the Fellow's spring semester. IX. Participating NMFS Facilities Mentors will be from participating NMFS Science Centers, Laboratories, or Regional Offices. Each Fellow will be required to work as a summer intern at the participating NMFS facility either on his/her thesis or on appropriate related problems. Remuneration for the summer internship will be part of the annual award. Population Dynamics Fellows will also be expected to spend 10-20 days at sea per year learning about sampling techniques and problems, commercial fishing, fishery biology, and local and regional issues of importance to fisheries management. Fellows may also work, as necessary, at the participating NMFS facility during some or all of the academic year at the mutual discretion of mentor, major professor, and Fellow. After selection, but before the fellowship is awarded, each Fellow will be required to provide a one-page description of his/her assignment based on discussions among mentor, major professor, and Fellow. These discussions will be facilitated by the NSGO/NMFS Fellowship Program Managers and will be completed by April 30, 2000. The assignment description will reflect a clear mutual understanding of the substantive dimensions of the project and its expected results. X. Reporting Requirements Fellows will, for each year of their fellowship, provide a written annual summary of their accomplishments and activities during the preceding year to the NSGO/NMFS Fellowship Program Managers. This summary is due no later than one month following the anniversary of the start of the fellowship. Fellows will be expected to present a review of their research during the annual Fellows meeting in Silver Spring, MD. XI. Other Requirements (A) Federal Policies and Procedures--Recipients and sub-recipients are subject to all Federal laws and Federal and Department of Commerce (DOC) policies, regulations, and procedures applicable to Federal financial assistance awards. (B) Past Performance--Unsatisfactory performance under prior Federal awards may result in an application not being considered for funding. (C) Pre-Award Activities--If applicants incur any costs prior to an award being made, they do so solely at their own risk of not being reimbursed by the Government. Notwithstanding any verbal or written assurance that may have been received, there is no obligation on the part of DOC to cover pre-award costs. (D) No Obligation for Future Funding--If an application is selected for funding, DOC has no obligation to provide any additional future funding in connection with that award. Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of performance is at the total discretion of DOC. (E) Delinquent Federal Debts--No award of Federal funds shall be made to an applicant who has an outstanding delinquent Federal debt until either: (1) The delinquent account is paid in full, (2) A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least one payment is received, or (3) Other arrangements satisfactory to DOC are made. (F) Name Check Review--All non-profit and for-profit applicants are subject to a name check review process. Name checks are intended to reveal if any key individuals associated with the applicant have been convicted of or are presently facing criminal charges such as fraud, theft, perjury, or other matters which significantly reflect on the applicant's management honesty or financial integrity. (G) Primary Applicant Certifications--All primary applicants must submit a completed Form CD-511, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and Lobbying'', and the following explanations are hereby provided: (1) Non-Procurement Debarment and Suspension. Prospective participants (as defined at 15 CFR part 26, section 105) are subject to 15 CFR part 26, ``Non-Procurement Debarment and Suspension'' and the related section of the certification form prescribed above applies; (2) Drug-Free Workplace. Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR part 26, section 605) are subject to 15 CFR part 26, subpart F, ``Government- wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)'' and the related section of the certification form prescribed above applies; (3) Anti-Lobbying. Persons (as defined at 15 CFR part 28, section 105) are subject to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352, ``Limitation on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal contracting and financial transactions'', and the lobbying section of the certification form prescribed above applies to applications/bids for grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts for more than $100,000, and loans and loan guarantees for more than $150,000, or the single family maximum mortgage limit for affected programs, whichever is greater; and (4) Anti-Lobbying Disclosures. Any applicant that has paid or will pay for lobbying using any funds must submit an SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities'', as required under 15 CFR part 28, appendix B. (H) Lower Tier Certifications--Recipients shall require applicants/ bidders for subgrants, contracts, subcontracts, or other lower tier covered transactions at any tier under the award to submit, if applicable, a completed Form CD-512, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion--Lower Tier Covered Transactions and Lobbying'' and disclosure form, SF-LLL, [[Page 58812]] ``Disclosure of Lobbying Activities''. Form CD-512 is intended for the use of recipients and should not be transmitted to DOC. SF-LLL submitted by any tier recipient or sub-recipient should be submitted to DOC in accordance with the instructions contained in the award document. (I) False Statements--A false statement on an application is grounds for denial or termination of funds and grounds for possible punishment by a fine or imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001. (J) Intergovernmental Review--Applications for support from the National Sea Grant College Program are not subject to Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs''. (K) Purchase of American-Made Equipment and Products--Applicants are hereby notified that they will be encouraged, to the greatest extent practicable, to purchase American-made equipment and products with funding provided under this program. (L) Pursuant to Executive 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 HBCU/MSIs are listed at the following Internet website: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OCR/99minin.html. Classification Prior notice and an opportunity for public comments are not required by the Administrative Procedure Act or any other law for this notice concerning grants, benefits, and contracts. Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required for purposes of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. This action has been determined to be not significant for purposes of E.O. 12866. This notice contains a collection of information requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Sea Grant Budget Form has been approved under control number 0648-0362 with an average response estimated to take 15 minutes. This estimate includes 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 on this estimate or any other aspect of this collection to National Sea Grant College Program, R/SG, NOAA, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (Attention: Francis S. Schuler) and to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503 (Attention: NOAA Desk Officer). Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. Dated: October 27, 1999. Louisa Koch, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Dated: October 27, 1999. Lamarr B. Trott, Deputy Director, Office of Science and Technology, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. [FR Doc. 99-28572 Filed 10-29-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-KA-P