[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 22, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28150-28153]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-12822]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 001214351-1124-02]
RIN: 0648-ZB02


Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program; Financial Assistance for 
Graduate Students

AGENCY: National Ocean Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce is announcing funding availability 
for graduate students pursuing masters or doctoral level degrees in 
oceanography, marine biology, or maritime archaeology through the Dr. 
Nancy Foster Scholarship Program and is inviting applications for such 
scholarships. Applicants who have submitted an application for a Dr. 
Nancy Foster scholarship prior to the publication of this notice should 
review their applications and submit any revisions or supplemental 
materials necessary to comply with the application requirements or in 
recognition of the funding priorities and selection criteria set forth 
in this notice.

DATES: The Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program application period 
opened March 26, 2001, 66 FR 16445, and will close June 21, 2001. 
Applications must be postmarked by the closing date. Scholarship awards 
will be announced on or about July 19, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Applications should be sent to the Dr. Nancy Foster 
Scholarship Program, Attention: Office of the Assistant Administrator, 
13th Floor, National Ocean Service, 1305 East-West Highway, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910. Copies of form CD-511 may be requested from this 
address or may be downloaded from the Department of Commerce Web site: 
http://www.doc.gov. Information on the scholarship program may be 
obtained from the Web site: http://fosterscholars.noaa.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program, 
Office of the Assistant Administrator, 13th Floor, National Ocean 
Service, 1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301-713-
3074).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Authority: The Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship 
Program is authorized by the National Marine Sanctuaries Amendments Act 
of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-513) to recognize

[[Page 28151]]

outstanding scholarship in oceanography, marine biology, or maritime 
archaeology, particularly by women and members of minority groups, and 
encourage independent graduate-level research through financial support 
of graduate studies in such fields.
    Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: This program is listed 
under CFDA #11.460, titled Special Oceanic and Atmospheric Projects.
    Program Description: The Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program 
provides support for independent graduate-level studies in 
oceanography, marine biology, or maritime archaeology, particularly by 
women and members of minority groups. Gender and minority status is not 
considered when selecting award recipients. However, special outreach 
efforts are employed to solicit applications from women and minorities. 
Scholarships are distributed by disciplines, institutions and 
geography, and by the degree type and level being sought, with 
selections within distributions based on financial need, the potential 
for success in a graduate studies program, and the potential for 
achieving research and career goals. The program is administered 
through NOAA's National Ocean Service and is funded annually with 1% of 
the amount appropriated each fiscal year to carry out the National 
Marine Sanctuaries Act.
    Funding Availability: For the 2001-2002 academic year, Dr. Nancy 
Foster Scholarships may provide support of up to $28,800 per student: a 
12-month stipend of $16,800, in addition to a tuition allowance of up 
to $12,000. A maximum of $57,600 may be provided to masters students 
(up to two years of support) and up to $115,200 may be provided to 
doctoral students (up to four years of support). For the 2001-2002 
academic year, NOAA expects to award five scholarships. The annual 
stipend will be paid directly to the scholar. The stipend is intended 
to defray cost-of-living expenses, and not to support research costs. 
NOAA anticipates the student and their faculty advisor will secure 
research funds independent of the scholarship. Tuition and academic 
fees will be negotiated between the academic institution and the Dr. 
Nancy Foster Scholarship program manager at NOAA prior to the start of 
studies. This negotiation is intended to levy scholarship funds and 
enhance opportunities for scholarship recipients. In those instances in 
which tuition and academic fees are not totally waived by the academic 
institution, the tuition allowance in an amount equal to the tuition 
and fees not waived (but not to exceed $12,000) will be paid directly 
to the scholar to remittance to the academic institution. If tuition 
and fees are reduced or waived by the academic institution, then that 
portion of the tuition allowance not needed (i.e., up to $12,000 in the 
case of a total waiver) will be retained by NOAA for future 
scholarships. No money will be paid directly to the student from the 
tuition allowance for purposes other than the payment of tuition and 
fees.
    Specific instructions regarding the disbursement, management, and 
reporting requirements for all stipend and tuition allowance payments 
will be provided at a later date. The awarding of funds beyond the 
first year will be based on availability of funds, continued 
eligibility of the student, periodic certification by the academic 
institution that adequate academic progress is being made, and 
compliance with applicable reporting requirements. At its discretion, 
each academic institution may supplement a scholar's stipend from 
institutional funds in accordance with the supplementation policy of 
the institution.
    Matching Requirements: There are no matching requirements for an 
award.
    Type of Funding Instrument: Grant.
    Eligibility Criteria: Only United States citizens currently 
pursuing or intending to pursue a masters or doctoral level degree in 
oceanography, marine biology, or maritime archaeology, including the 
curation, preservation, and display of maritime artifacts, are eligible 
for an award under this scholarship program. Prospective scholars do 
not need to be enrolled or admitted to a graduate-level program in 
order to apply for this scholarship. However, funds will not be 
released before the applicant is accepted to an accredited institution 
in the United States with a program emphasis in the areas described 
above, and certification to that effect has been received by NOAA from 
that institution. Studies must be conducted on a full-time basis. 
Recipients of scholarship awards may be employed at the time of the 
award if it is a requirement of their degree program or directly 
related to their research effort. Other forms of employment will not be 
allowed and scholars will be required to submit a letter certifying 
that they are in compliance with this requirement. Eligibility must be 
maintained for each succeeding year of support and annual reporting 
requirements, to be specified at a later date, will apply.
    Award Period: This call for applications is for studies beginning 
in the fall 2001. Stipends will cover a 12 month period. Masters 
students may be supported for up to two years, and doctoral students 
for up to four years.
    Indirect Costs: No indirect costs will be paid on this award.
    Applications: Applications for Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarships are 
invited. Applications were first invited by Federal Register notice on 
March 26, 2001 (66 FR 16445) with certain needed information only 
appearing on NOAA's website for the program, http://fosterscholars.noaa.gov. Today's notice contains all necessary 
information and announces a closing date of June 21, 2001 for the 
submission of applications. Applicants who submitted an application for 
a Dr. Nancy Foster scholarship in response to the March 26, 2001, 
notice should review their applications and submit any revisions or 
supplemental materials necessary to comply with the application 
requirements or in recognition of the funding priorities and selection 
criteria set forth in this notice. Applications and revisions or 
supplements to applications previously submitted must be postmarked by 
the closing date. Scholarship awards will be announced on or about July 
19, 2001.
    Applications: Each application must include these following items:
(I) General Information Sheet
(II) Statement of Intent
(III) Institute Certification (for those applicants who are currently 
enrolled in a graduate program for which support is requested, or who 
have received acceptance for fall 2001 enrollment in a graduate program 
for which support is requested)
(IV) Transcripts
(V) Three Letters of Recommendation
(VI) Declaration

    Applicants who have submitted an application for a Dr. Nancy Foster 
scholarship prior to the publication of this notice should review their 
applications and submit any revisions or supplemental materials 
necessary (e.g., Declaration) to comply with the application 
requirements or in recognition of the funding priorities and selection 
criteria set forth in this notice.

I. General Information Sheet

    Personal Data: Provide your full name, country of citizenship, 
current address, permanent address, and home and work telephone 
numbers. If you can be reached by fax or e-mail, include that 
information. Optional--for statistical collection purposes only: 
Indicate your gender and whether you are Hispanic or Latino and 
indicate your race by selecting one or more of the following: American 
Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African-American,

[[Page 28152]]

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, or White.
    Degree Sought: State your proposed field of study (oceanography, 
marine biology or maritime archaeology) and degree type you are seeking 
(e.g., M.S., M.A., Ph.D). Include the month and year you expect the 
degree to be awarded. If you have selected a school, state the name and 
location. If you have not yet selected a school, list your proposed 
field of study, degree type you are seeking, and state that you have 
not yet selected a school.
    Education: List the academic degrees you have received, or expect 
to receive by the start of your proposed graduate studies for this 
program, including the date and institution.
    Funding Resources: List all resources you have available to assist 
you in your graduate studies (e.g., grants, student loans, 
scholarships).
    Publications: If you have published in the technical literature, 
provide a bibliography. If you have not published, write ``NA.''
    Experience: List relevant experience only (e.g., unpaid employment, 
military service, internships, residencies, special studies, volunteer 
work). Give dates and a short description of your duties in each 
position, starting with the most recent. Include the names, addresses 
and phone numbers of employers.

II. Statement of Intent

    The Statement of Intent is a self-description of your academic, 
research, and career goals, and how your proposed course of study or 
research will help you achieve these goals. Include any background 
information you believe is pertinent, and provide insight into why you 
have chosen the goals you are pursuing. Provide a descriptive title for 
your research project if any, or your research area of interest if you 
do not have a specific research project selected. This statement should 
demonstrate your organizational, analytical, and written communication 
skills. The Statement of Intent should be typewritten, single-spaced on 
a blank piece of paper, and should not exceed one page in length.

III. Institute Certification

    For those applicants who are currently enrolled in a graduate 
program for which support is requested, or who have received acceptance 
for fall 2001 enrollment in a graduate program for which support is 
requested, a letter from the institution certifying this must be 
submitted with your application. The letter should consist of the 
following information on school letterhead and be signed by a school 
official: Name and location of the academic institution, the school and 
department that you currently are attending or plan to attend, and the 
month and year your studies will begin if you are not currently 
enrolled. If you have a graduate advisor, list his/her name, address, 
phone, fax, and e-mail, if available, in the Institute Certification 
portion of your application. For students not yet accepted to an 
institution, if selected as an award recipient, a letter from the 
institution certifying this must be submitted to NOAA before funds can 
be released.

IV. Transcripts

    Provide official transcripts for all previous university/college-
level studies.

V. Three Letters of Recommendation

    Each application must include three letters of recommendation from 
individuals who have knowledge of your academic record, research 
effort, work and/or life experience. Relevant unpaid work, such as 
internships and volunteer efforts, is applicable. If you have a sponsor 
or advisor in the program, one of these letters should be from that 
individual. Letters of recommendation sent apart from the application 
will not be accepted.

VI. Declaration

    Applicants must certify that all statements and information in 
their applications are true and correct by copying the following on a 
plain piece of paper, signing it, and including it in their 
application:

    I, the undersigned, declare, under penalty of perjury, that all 
statements and information in my application are true and correct.
    Executed on [insert date]/

Print or Type Name:.---------------------------------------------------

Signature:.------------------------------------------------------------

    Funding Priorities: The priority of the program is to fund 
independent graduate-level studies in oceanography, marine biology, or 
maritime archaeology with scholarships distributed by disciplines, 
institutions and geography, and by the degree type and level being 
sought, with selections within distributions based on financial need, 
the potential for success in a graduate studies program, and the 
potential for achieving research and career goals.
    Evaluation Criteria: The evaluation criteria and their weights are 
as follows: a) financial need (30%); b) academic record (25%); c) 
recommendations (25%); d) organizational, analytical, and written 
communication skills based on statement of intent (10%); and e) 
research and career goals and objectives (10%).
    Selection Procedures: An advisory panel of experts will review 
applications based on the evaluation criteria and provide a numerical 
score for each one. These scores will be used by the selecting official 
in his/her selection of the recipients of a Dr. Nancy Foster 
Scholarship. In making final selections, the selecting official will 
consider availability of funds, distribution of awards across 
disciplines, institutions and geography, and the degree type and level 
being sought and will base selections within distributions by score. 
Therefore, scholarship awards will not necessarily be made to the 
applications receiving the highest scores.
    Announcement of Awards: The names, academic institutions, degrees 
being sought, research plans, and biographical information of the 
scholarship awardees will be posted on NOAA's National Ocean Service 
Web site and may be published in marketing materials developed to 
advertise the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program.
    Other Requirements:
    (1) Federal Policies and Procedures--All scholarship recipients are 
subject to all Federal laws and Federal and DoC policies, regulations, 
and procedures applicable to Federal financial assistance awards.
    (2) Past Performance--Unsatisfactory performance under prior 
Federal awards may result in an application not being considered for 
funding.
    (3) Preaward 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 preaward costs.
    (4) 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.
    (5) Delinquent Federal Debts--No award of Federal funds shall be 
made to an applicant who has an outstanding delinquent Federal debt 
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 DoC are made.

[[Page 28153]]

    (6) Name Check Review--A name check will be conducted on the 
individuals selected for the scholarship. Name checks are intended to 
reveal if any applicants 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.
    (7) Recipient Certifications--All scholarship recipients must 
submit a completed Form CD-511 (See ADDRESSES), ``Certifications 
Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-
Free Workplace Requirements and Lobbying,'' and the following 
explanations are 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.
    (8) 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.
    (9) Classification--This document contains collection-of-
information requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). 
This application has been approved by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) under control number 0648-0432. Public reporting burden 
for this collection of information is estimated to average 5 hours for 
an application and 45 minutes per letter of recommendation. These 
estimates include the time for reviewing instructions, searching 
existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and 
completing and reviewing the collection of information. This document 
also requires use of a SF-LLL, which has been approved by OMB under 
control number 0348-0046. 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 PRA, unless that collection displays a currently valid 
OMB control number.
    Applications under this program are not subject to Executive Order 
12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.
    This action has been determined to be not significant for purposes 
of Executive Order 12866.

    Dated: May 15, 2001.
Scott B. Gudes,
Acting Administrator, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
U.S. Department of Commerce.
[FR Doc. 01-12822 Filed 5-21-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-JE-P