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###### Department of Commerce

###### National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

          - [Docket No. 000522149-0149-01]
          - RIN 0648-ZA87

# AGENCY:

Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Commerce.

# ACTION:

 Notice.

# SUMMARY:

                        This notice announces that applications may be submitted for a Fellowship program which was initiated by the National Sea Grant Office (NSGO), NOAA, in fulfilling its broad educational responsibilities, to provide educational experience in the policies and processes of the Legislative and Executive Branches of the Federal                               ( print page 41055)                            Government to graduate students in marine and aquatic-related fields. The Fellowship program accepts applications once a year during the month of September. All applicants must submit an application to the local Sea Grant program in  their state. Applicants from states not served by a Sea Grant program should obtain further information by  contacting the Knauss Fellows Program Manager at the NSGO.                    

# DATES:

Deadlines vary from program to program, but are generally due early to mid-September. Contact your state's Sea Grant program for specific deadlines (see list below).

# ADDRESSES:

                        Applications should be addressed to your local Sea Grant program. Contact the appropriate state's Sea Grant program from the list below to obtain the mailing address or the address may be obtained on the web site                         *http://www.nsgo.seagrant.org/​SGDirectors.html*.                    

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Nikola Garber, Knauss Fellows Program Manager, National Sea Grant College Program, R/SG, NOAA, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Tel. (301) 713-2431 ext. 124; e-mail:

*nikola.garber@noaa.gov*. Also call your nearest Sea Grant program or visit the web site                    

*http://www.nsgo.seagrant.org/​Knauss.html*.                    

## Sea Grant Programs

*Alabama*, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, (228) 875-9341                    

*Alaska*, University of Alaska (907) 474-7086                    

*California*, University of California, San Diego, (858) 534-4440                    

*California*, University of Southern California, (213) 812-1335                    

*Connecticut*, University of Connecticut, (860) 405-9128                    

*Delaware*, University of Delaware, (302) 831-2841                    

*Florida*, University of Florida, (352) 392-5870                    

*Georgia*, University of Georgia, (706) 542-5954                    

*Hawaii*, University of Hawaii, (808) 956-7031                    

*Illinois*, Purdue University, (765) 494-3593                    

*Indiana*, Purdue University, (765) 494-3593                    

*Louisiana*, Louisiana Sea Grant, (225) 388-6710                    

*Maine*, University of Maine, (207) 581-1435                    

*Maryland*, University of Maryland, (301) 405-6371                    

*Massachusetts*, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, (617) 253-7131                    

*Massachusetts*, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, (508) 289-2557                    

*Michigan*, University of Michigan, (734) 763-1437                    

*Minnesota*, University of Minnesota, (218) 726-8710                    

*Mississippi*, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, (228) 875-9341                    

*New Hampshire*, University of New Hampshire, (603) 862-0122                    

*New Jersey*, New Jersey Marine Science Consortium, (732) 872-1300 Ext. 21                    

*New York,*                        New York Sea Grant Institute, SUNY, (631) 632-6905                    

*North Carolina,*                        North Carolina State University, (919) 515-2454                    

*Ohio,*                        Ohio State University, (614) 292-8949                    

*Oregon,*                        Oregon State University, (541) 737-2714                    

*Puerto Rico,*                        University of Puerto Rico, (787) 832-3585                    

*Rhode Island,*                        University of Rhode Island, (401) 874-6800                    

*South Carolina,*                        South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium, (843) 727-2078                    

*Texas,*                        Texas A&M University, (979) 845-3854                    

*Virginia,*                        Virginia Graduate Marine Science Consortium, (804) 924-5965                    

*Washington,*                        University of Washington, (206) 543-6600                    

*Wisconsin,*                        University of Wisconsin-Madison, (608) 262-0905                    

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

## Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship, National Sea Grant College Program

### Purpose of the Fellowship Program

In 1979, the National Sea Grant Office (NSGO), NOAA, in fulfilling its broad educational responsibilities, initiated a program to provide a unique educational experience in the policies and processes of the Legislative and Executive Branches of the Federal Government to graduate students who have an interest in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting these resources. The U.S. Congress recognized the value of this program and in 1987, Public Law 100-220 stipulated the Sea Grant Federal Fellows Program was to be a formal part of the National Sea Grant College Program Act. The recipients are designated Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellows pursuant to 33 U.S.C. 1127(b).

### Announcement

Fellows program announcements are sent annually to all participating Sea Grant institutions and campuses by the local sea Grant program upon receipt of notice from the NSGO.

### Eligibility

                    Any student who, on September 26, 2000, is in a graduate or professional program in a marine or aquatic-related field at a United States accredited institution of higher education may apply to the NSGO through their local Sea Grant program. Applicants from states not served by a Sea Grant program should obtain further information by contacting the Knauss Fellows Program Manager at the NSGO. NOAA makes financial assistance funds available to the Sea Grant programs nationwide to implement the fellowship program. The National Sea Grant program is listed in the                     *Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance*                     under number 11.417: Sea Grant Support.                

### How To Apply

Interested students should discuss this fellowship with their local Sea Grant Program Director. Applications must be submitted with signature to the local Sea Grant program by the deadline set in the announcement (usually early to mid-September). Each Sea Grant program may select and forward to the NSGO no more than five (5) applicants selected according to criteria used by the NSGO in the national competition.

Selected applications are to be received in the NSGO from the sponsoring Sea Grant program, no later than 5 p.m. EST on September 26, 2000. The competitive selection process and subsequent notification to the Sea Grant programs will be completed by October 25, 2000.

### Stipend and Expenses

The local Sea Grant program receives and administers the overall award of $38,000 per student on behalf of each Fellow selected from their program. Of this award, the local Sea Grant program provides $32,000 to each Fellow for stipend and living expenses (per diem). The additional $6,000 will be used to cover mandatory health insurance for the Fellow and moving expenses. In addition, any remaining funds shall be used during the Fellowship year, first to satisfy academic degree-related travel, and second for Fellowship-related travel. Indirect costs are not allowable for either the Fellowships or for any costs associated with the Fellowships [15 CFR 917.11(e), Guidelines for Sea Grant Fellowships]. During the fellowship, the host may provide supplemental funds for work-related travel by the fellow.

### Application

                    An application will include:                          ( print page 41056)    

(1) Personal and academic curriculum vitae (not to exceed two pages using 12 pt. font).

(2) A personal education and career goal statement which emphasizes the applicant's abilities and the applicant's expectations from the experience in the way of career development (1000 words or less). Placement preference in the Legislature or Executive Branches of the Government may be stated; this preference will be honored to the extent possible.

(3) Two letters of recommendation, including one from the student's major professor.

(4) A letter of endorsement from the sponsoring Sea Grant Program Director.

(5) Copy of all undergraduate and graduate student transcripts.

It is our intent that all applicants be evaluated only on their ability. Therefore, letters of endorsements from members of Congress, friends, relatives or others; as well as thesis papers, publications, or other additional supporting documents will not be accepted.

### Selection Criteria

The selection criteria will include:

(1) Quality of the applicant's personal education and career goal statement.

(2) Endorsement of the applicant's Sea Grant program director, and support of the applicant's major professor and second letter of recommendation.

(3) Strength of academic performance and diversity of educational background including extracurricular activities, awards and honors (from the curriculum vitae and transcripts).

(4) Experience in marine or aquatic-related fields, oral and written communication skills, and interpersonal abilities. Relative weights of the evaluation criteria are equal.

### Selection

Applicants will be individually reviewed and ranked, according to the criteria outlined above, by a panel appointed by the Director of the NSGO with input from the Sea Grant Association and the National Sea Grant Review Panel. The panel will include representation from the Sea Grant Association and the current, and possibly past, class of Fellows. Once the entire class is selected, based on the criteria listed, the Knauss Program Manager will group the top-ranked applicants in each category, legislative and executive, based upon the applicant's stated preference and/or judgement of the panel based upon material submitted. Academic discipline and geographic representation may be considered by the National Sea Grant Office to provide overall balance. The number of fellows assigned to the Congress will be limited to 10.

### Federal Policies and Procedures

Fellows receive funds directly from their sponsoring Sea Grant Program and are considered to be subrecipients of Federal assistance subject to all Federal laws and Federal and Commerce Department policies, regulations, and procedures applicable to Federal financial assistance awards.

### Past Performance

Unsatisfactory performance under prior Federal awards may result in an application not being considered for funding.

### Pre-Award Activities

If applicants incur any cost 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 they may have been received, there is no obligation on the part of Department of Commerce to cover pre-award costs.

### No Obligation for Future Funding

If an application is selected for funding, Department of Commerce 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 Department of Commerce.

### Delinquent Federal Debts

No award of Federal funds shall be made to a Fellows applicant who has an outstanding delinquent Federal debt or fine until either:

i. The delinquent account is paid in full,

ii. A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least one payment is received, or

iii. Other arrangements satisfactory to Department of Commerce are made.

### 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.

### Primary Application Certifications

All primary applicant 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:

*i. Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension.*                     Prospective participants (as defined at 15 CFR part 26, section 105) are subject to 15 CFR part 26, “NONPROCUREMENT Debarment and Suspension” and the related section of the certification form prescribed above applies;                

*ii. 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;                

*iii. 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                

*iv. 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.                

### 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 Transaction and Lobbying” and disclosure form, SF-LLL, “Disclosure of Lobbying Activities,” Form CD-512 is intended for the use of recipients and should not be transmitted to Department of Commerce. SF-LLL submitted by any tier recipient or subrecipients should be submitted to Department of Commerce in accordance with the instructions contained in the award document.

### 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.                          ( print page 41057)    

### Intergovernmental Review

Applications under this program are subject to Executive Order 12372, “Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.”

### Minority Serving Institutions Statement

                    Pursuant to Executive Orders 12876, 12900, and 13021, 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 document contains a collection-of-information requirement subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act. The collection of this information has been approved by OMB under control number 0648-0362. 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 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: June 26, 2000.

Louisa Koch,

Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research.

[FR Doc. 00-16713 Filed 6-30-00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-KA-M