[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 108 (Friday, June 5, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30724-30726]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15073]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 980427106-8106-01]
RIN 0648-ZA42


Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship National Sea Grant 
College Federal Fellows Program

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces that applications may be submitted for a 
Fellowship program which was initiated by the National Sea Grant 
College Program Office (NSGCPO), in fulfilling its broad educational 
responsibilities, to provide educational experience in the policies and 
processes of the Legislative and Executive Branches of the Federal 
Government to graduate students in marine related fields. The 
Fellowship program accepts applications once a year during the month of 
September. All applicants must submit an application to one of the Sea 
Grant College Programs in their state. If there is no program in the 
applicant's state they should apply through the closest state Sea Grant 
College Program.

DATES: Deadlines vary from state to state, but are generally due in 
early August. Contact your state Sea Grant College Program for specific 
deadlines (see list below).

ADDRESSES: Applications should be addressed to the Sea Grant College 
Program in your state or the closest state. Contact your state Sea 
Grant College Program for the mailing address from the list below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information and brochures can be 
obtained from Dr. Shirley J. Fiske, Director, National Sea Grant 
Federal Fellows Program, National Sea Grant College Program, 1315 East-
West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, telephone (301) 713-2431 
extension 148 or call your nearest Sea Grant program:

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--(317) 494-3593
Louisiana State University--(504) 388-6710
University of Maine--(207) 581-1436
University of Maryland--(301) 405-6371
Massachusetts Institute of Technology--(617) 253-7131
University of Michigan--(313) 763-1437
University of Minnesota--(218) 726-8106
Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium--(601) 875-9341
University of New Hampshire--(603) 862-3505

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New Jersey Marine Science Consortium--(908) 872-1300
State University of New York--(516) 632-6905
University of North Carolina--(919) 515-2454
The Ohio State University--(614) 292-8949
Oregon State University--(541) 737-3396
University of Puerto Rico--(787) 832-3585
Purdue University--(317) 494-3593
University of Rhode Island--(401) 874-6800
South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium--(803) 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 Institute--(508) 457-2000 ext. 2665

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship, National Sea Grant 
College Federal Fellows Program.

Purpose of the Fellowship Program

    In 1979, the National Sea Grant College Program Office (NSGCPO), in 
fulfilling its broad educational responsibilities, initiated a program 
to provide educational experience in the policies and processes of the 
Legislative and Executive Branches of the Federal Government to 
graduate students in marine related fields. The U.S. Congress 
recognized the value of this program and in 1987, Pub. L. 100-220 
stipulated that 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 state Sea 
Grant Director upon receipt of notice from the National Sea Grant 
College Program Office (NSGCPO). A brochure describing the program is 
also available from the NSGCPO for distribution by both that office and 
the state Sea Grant programs.

Eligibility

    Any student who, on September 30, 1998, is in a master's, doctoral 
or professional program in a marine related field from any accredited 
institution of higher education in the United States may apply to the 
NSGCPO through the state or closest state Sea Grant program. NOAA makes 
financial assistance funds available to the National Sea Grant Colleges 
to implement the fellowship program. The National Sea Grant College 
Program is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under 
number 11.417: Sea Grant Support.

Deadlines

    Applications must be obtained from and submitted with their 
signature (no copies required) to the state Sea Grant Director by the 
date set by the Directors in their individual program announcement 
(usually early to mid-September). State Sea Grant programs may select 
and forward to the National Office no more than four (4) finalists 
according to a selection criteria comparable to that of the National 
Office.
    Applications are to be submitted to the NSGCPO by the sponsoring 
state Sea Grant Director, no later than close of business on September 
30th of any given year. The competitive selection process and 
subsequent notification will be completed by October 31st of any given 
year.

Stipend and Expenses

    For 1999 a Fellow will receive an award of $36,000 which is 
distributed between salary (stipend) and living expenses in accordance 
with University guidelines. Other expenses covered are travel, moving 
costs, health insurance and institutional overhead.

Application

    An application will include:

Personal and academic resume or curriculum vitae.
Personal education and career goal statement which emphasizes 
expectations from the experience in the way of career development (not 
to exceed 2 pages).
No more than two letters of recommendation with at least one being from 
the student's major professor.
A letter of endorsement from the sponsoring state Sea Grant Director.
Copy of undergraduate and graduate student transcripts. Thesis papers 
nor additional supporting documents are desired.

    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 will not be considered.
    Placement preference in the Executive or Legislative Branches of 
the Government may be stated, and will be honored to the extent 
possible.

Selection Criteria

    The selection criteria will include:

Strength of academic performance.
Communications skills (both written and oral).
Diversity of academic background.
Work experience.
Support of major professor.
Support of Sea Grant Director.
Ability to work with people.

Selection

    Applicants will be individually reviewed and ranked by a panel 
chaired by the Director of Federal Fellowships of the NSGCPO and 
include representation from (1) the Sea Grant Association, (2) the 
Office of the Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Research, and (3) the current and possibly last past group of Fellows. 
The individuals representative of these groups will be chosen on a year 
by year basis according to availability, timing, and other exigencies. 
Selection of finalists by the panel will be done by the Panel Chair 
according to the criteria outlined above. Relative weights for the 
evaluation criteria are equal. After selection, the panel chair will 
group applicants into the two categories, legislative and executive, 
based upon the applicant's stated preference and/or judgment of the 
panel based upon material submitted. The number of fellows assigned to 
the Congress will be limited to 10.

Federal Policies and Procedures

    Fellows receive funds directly from the National Sea Grant Colleges 
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 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 Department of Commerce 
to cover pre-award costs.

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No Obligation for Further 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 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:

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, ``Governmentwide 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 Transactions 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 subrecipient 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.

Intergovernmental Review

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

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 0648-0294. 
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 1, 1998.
Elbert W. Friday,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research.
[FR Doc. 98-15073 Filed 6-4-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-12-M