E G Smith

ADDRESSES: Proposals must be submitted to the addresses listed in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice for each program. The Federal Register and Full Funding Opportunity (FFO) notices may be found on the Grants.gov Web site. The URL for Grants.gov is http://www.grants.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please contact the person listed within this notice as the information contact under each program.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Applicants must comply with all requirements contained in the Federal Funding Opportunity announcement for each of the programs listed in this omnibus notice. These Federal Funding Opportunities are available at http://www.grants.gov. The list of entries below describe the basic information and requirements for competitive grant/cooperative agreement programs offered by NOAA. These programs are open to any applicant who meets the eligibility criteria provided in each entry. To be considered for an award in a competitive grant/cooperative agreement program, an eligible applicant must submit a complete and responsive application to the appropriate program office. An award is made upon conclusion of the evaluation and selection process for the respective program.

Table of Contents

I. Background

II. Electronic Access

III. NOAA Project Competitions

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)

1. FY 2009 Monkfish Research Set-Aside

2. FY 2009 Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside

3. Cooperative Research Program

4. FY 2009 B-WET Chesapeake

5. FY 2009 Open Rivers Initiative

6. FY 2009 Atlantic Salmon Conservation Grants

7. FY 2009 Community-based Marine Debris Prevention and Removal

Project Grants

8. Marine Fisheries Initiative (MARFIN)

9. NOAA General Coral Reef Conservation Grants Program

10. Projects to Improve or Amend Coral Reef Fishery Management Plans

11. Protected Species Cooperative Conservation

12. Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Program (FY 2009)

13. Prescott 2009

National Ocean Service (NOS)

1. FY 2009 CRCP Coral Reef Ecosystem Monitoring

2. FY 2009 CRCP-Coral Reef Management

3. Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Hawaii Program

4. CSCOR FY 2009 NGOMEX and CRES

5. FY 2009 California Bay Watershed Education and Training Program

6. International Coral

7. NOAA's National Height Modernization Program

8. National Coastal and Estuarine Research and Technology Program

9. National Estuarine Research Reserve Graduate Research Fellowship Program FY 2009

10. National Estuarine Research Reserve Land Acquisition and Construction Program FY 2009

Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR)

1. Climate Program Office for FY 2009

2. FY 2009 NMFS-Sea Grant Fellowships in Marine Resource Economics

3. FY 2009 NMFS-Sea Grant Fellowships in Population Dynamics

4. FY 2010 Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship (Knauss Fellowship Program)

5. FY 2009 Joint Hurricane Testbed

6. FY 2009 Ocean Exploration Omnibus--Education

7. FY 2009 Ocean Exploration Omnibus--Marine Archaeology

8. FY 2009 Ocean Exploration Omnibus--Ocean Exploration

IV. NOAA Project Competitions Listed by NOAA Mission Goals

1. Protect, Restore and Manage the Use of Coastal and Ocean Resources Through Ecosystem-Based Management

Summary Description: Coastal areas are among the most developed in the Nation. More than half the population lives on less than one-fifth of the land in the contiguous United States. Furthermore, employment in near shore areas is growing three times faster than population. Coastal and marine waters support over 28 million jobs and provide a tourism destination for nearly 90 million Americans a year. The value of the ocean economy to the United States is over $115 billion. The value added annually to the national economy by the commercial and recreational fishing industry alone is over $48 billion. U.S. aquaculture sales total almost $1 billion annually. With its Exclusive Economic Zone of 3.4 million square miles, the United States manages the largest marine territory of any nation in the world.

Funded proposals should help achieve the following outcomes:

. Healthy and productive coastal and marine ecosystems that benefit society

. A well-informed public that acts as a steward of coastal and marine ecosystems

Program Names:

1. FY 2009 CRCP-Coral Reef Management

2. Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Hawaii Program

3. Cooperative Research Program

4. Marine Fisheries Initiative (MARFIN)

5. National Estuarine Research Reserve Land Acquisition and Construction Program FY 2009

6. National Estuarine Research Reserve Graduate Research Fellowship Program FY 2009

7. International Coral

8. CSCOR FY09 NGOMEX and CRES

9. FY 2009 California Bay Watershed Education and Training Program

10. FY 2009 Ocean Exploration Omnibus--Marine Archaeology

11. FY 2009 Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside

12. FY 2009 CRCP Coral Reef Ecosystem Monitoring

13. NOAA's National Height Modernization Program

14. FY 2009 Monkfish Research Set-Aside

15. Protected Species Cooperative Conservation

16. FY 2009 Ocean Exploration Omnibus--Ocean Exploration

17. FY 2009 Ocean Exploration Omnibus--Education

18. FY 2009 B-WET Chesapeake

19. National Coastal and Estuarine Research and Technology Program

20. NOAA General Coral Reef Conservation Grants Program

21. FY 2009 Open Rivers Initiative

22. FY 2009 Community-based Marine Debris Prevention and Removal Project Grants

23. Projects to Improve or Amend Coral Reef Fishery Management Plans

24. FY 2009 Atlantic Salmon Conservation Grants

25. FY 2010 Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship (Knauss Fellowship Program)

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26. FY 2009 NMFS-Sea Grant Fellowships in Population Dynamics

27. FY 2009 NMFS-Sea Grant Fellowships in Marine Resource Economics

28. Prescott 2009

2. Understand Climate Variability and Change To Enhance Society's Ability To Plan and Respond

Summary Description: Climate shapes the environment, natural resources, economies, and social systems that people depend upon worldwide. While humanity has learned to contend with some aspects of climate's natural variability, major climatic events, combined with the stresses of population growth, economic growth, public health concerns, and land-use practices, can impose serious consequences on society. The 1997-98 El Nino, for example, had a $25 billion impact on the U.S. economy-property losses were $2.6 billion and crop losses approached $2 billion. Long-term drought leads to increased and competing demands for fresh water with related effects on terrestrial and marine ecosystems, agricultural productivity, and even the spread of infectious diseases. Decisions about mitigating climate change also can alter economic and social structures on a global scale. We can deliver reliable climate information in useful ways to help minimize risks and maximize opportunities for decisions in agriculture, public policy, natural resources, water and energy use, and public health. We continue to move toward developing a seamless suite of weather and climate products. The Climate Goal addresses predictions on time scales of up to decades or longer.

Funded proposals should help achieve the following outcomes:

. A predictive understanding of the global climate system on time scales of weeks to decades with quantified uncertainties sufficient for making informed and reasoned decisions.

. Climate-sensitive sectors and the climate-literate public effectively incorporating NOAA's climate products into their plans and decisions.

Program Names:

1. Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Hawaii Program

2. Climate Program Office for FY 2009

3. FY 2009 Ocean Exploration Omnibus--Marine Archaeology

4. FY 2009 Ocean Exploration Omnibus--Ocean Exploration

5. FY 2009 Ocean Exploration Omnibus--Education

6. FY 2010 Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship (Knauss Fellowship Program)

3. Provide Critical Support for NOAA's Mission

Summary Description: Strong, effective, and efficient support activities are necessary for us to achieve our Mission Goals. Our facilities, ships, aircraft, environmental satellites, data processing systems, computing and communication systems, and our approach to management provide the foundation of support for all of our programs. This critical foundation must adapt to evolving mission needs and, therefore, is an integral part of our strategic planning. It also must support U.S. homeland security by maintaining continuity of operations and by providing NOAA services, such as civil alert relays through NOAA Weather Radio and air dispersion forecasts, in response to national emergencies. NOAA ships, aircraft, and environmental satellites are the backbone of the global Earth observing system and provide many critical mission support services. To keep this capability strong and current with our Mission Goals, we will ensure that NOAA has adequate access to safe and efficient ships and aircraft through the use of both NOAA platforms and those of other agency, academic, and commercial partners. We will work with academia and partners in the public and private sectors to ensure that future satellite systems are designed, developed, and operated with the latest technology. Leadership development and program support are essential for achieving our Mission Goals. We must also commit to organizational excellence through management and leadership across a "corporate" NOAA. We must continue our commitment to valuing NOAA's diverse workforce, including effective workforce planning strategies designed to attract, retain and develop competencies at all levels of our workforce. Through the use of business process re- engineering, we will strive for state-of-the-art, value-added financial and administrative processes. NOAA will ensure state-of-the-art and secure information technology and systems. By developing long-range, comprehensive facility planning processes, NOAA will be able to ensure right-sized, cost- effective, and safe facilities.

Funded proposals should help achieve the following outcomes:

. A dynamic workforce with competencies that support NOAA's mission today and in the future.

Program Names:

1. Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Program (FY 2009)

2. FY 2010 Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship (Knauss Fellowship Program)

4. Support the Nation's Commerce With Information for Safe, Efficient, and Environmentally Sound Transportation

Summary Description: Safe and efficient transportation systems are crucial to the U.S. economy. The U.S. marine transportation system ships over 95 percent of the tonnage and more than 20 percent by value of foreign trade through U.S. ports, including 48 percent of the oil needed to meet America's energy demands. At least $4 billion is lost annually due to economic inefficiencies resulting from weather related air-traffic delays. Improved surface weather forecasts and specific user warnings would reduce the 7,000 weather related fatalities and 800,000 injuries that occur annually from crashes on roads and highways. The injuries, loss of life, and property damage from weather-related crashes cost an average of $42 billion annually. We provide information, services, and products for transportation safety and for increased commerce on roads, rails, and waterways. We will improve the accuracy of our information for marine, aviation, and surface weather forecasts, the availability of accurate and advanced electronic navigational charts, and the delivery of real-time oceanographic information. We seek to provide consistent, accurate, and timely positioning information that is critical for air, sea, and surface transportation. We will respond to hazardous material spills and provide search and rescue routinely to save lives and money and to protect the coastal environment. We will work with port and coastal communities and with Federal and state partners to ensure that port operations and development proceed efficiently and in an environmentally sound manner. We will work with the Federal Aviation Administration and the private sector to reduce the negative impacts of weather on aviation without compromising safety. Because of increased interest by the public and private sectors, we also will expand weather information for marine and surface transportation to enhance safety and efficiency.

Funded proposals should help achieve the following outcomes:

. Safe, secure, efficient, and seamless movement of goods and people in the U.S. transportation system

. Environmentally sound development and use of the U.S. transportation system.

Program Names:

1. NOAA's National Height Modernization Program

2. FY 2010 Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship (Knauss Fellowship Program)

5. Serve Society's Needs for Weather and Water Information

Summary Description: Floods, droughts, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, wildfires, and other severe weather events cause $11 billion in damages each year in the United States. Weather is directly linked to public health and safety, and nearly one-third of the U.S. economy (about $3 trillion) is sensitive to weather and climate. With so much at stake, NOAA's role in understanding, observing, forecasting, and warning of environmental events is expanding. With our partners, we seek to provide decision makers with key observations, analyses, predictions, and warnings for a range of weather and water conditions, including those related to water supply, air quality, space weather, and wildfires. Businesses, governments, and nongovernmental organizations are getting more sophisticated about how to use this weather and water information to improve operational efficiencies, to manage environmental resources, and to create a better quality of life. On average, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, and other severe weather events cause $11 billion in damages per year. Weather, including space weather, is directly linked to public safety and about one-third of the U.S. economy (about $3 trillion) is weather sensitive. With so much at stake, NOAA's role in observing, forecasting, and warning of environmental events is expanding, while economic sectors and its public are becoming increasingly sophisticated at using NOAA's weather, air quality, and water information to improve their operational efficiencies and their

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management of environmental resources, and quality of life.

Funded proposals should help achieve the following outcomes:

. Reduced loss of life, injury, and damage to the economy

. Better, quicker, and more valuable weather and water information to support improved decisions

. Increased customer satisfaction with weather and water information and services

Program Names:

1. FY 2009 Joint Hurricane Testbed

2. FY 2010 Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship (Knauss Fellowship Program)

V. NOAA Non-competitive Opportunity

I. Background

Each of the following grant opportunities provide: A description of the program, funding availability, statutory authority, catalog of federal domestic assistance (CFDA) number, application deadline, address for submitting proposals, information contacts, eligibility requirements, cost sharing requirements, and intergovernmental review under Executive Order 12372.

In addition, this notice announces information related to a non-competitive financial assistance project to be administered by NOAA. This project is titled "NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program--Coral Reef Ecosystem Research Grants". The NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program announces that it is providing funding to the NOAA Undersea Research Program (NURP) Centers for: The Southeastern U.S., Florida, and Gulf of Mexico Region, the Southeast U.S. and Gulf of Mexico Center; and the Hawaii and Western Pacific Region, the Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory, to administer two external, competitive coral reef ecosystem research grants programs. To receive an award for this project, an eligible applicant must submit a complete and responsive application to the appropriate program office. An award is made upon conclusion of the evaluation process for the prospective project.

II. Electronic Access

The FFO for each program is available via the Grants.gov Web site at: http://www.grants.gov. Electronic applications for the NOAA Programs listed in this announcement may be accessed, downloaded, and submitted to that Web site. The due dates and times for paper and electronic submissions are identical. NOAA strongly recommends that you do not wait until the application deadline to begin the application process through Grants.gov.

Grants.gov

Getting started with Grants.gov is easy. Users should note that there are two key features on the Web site: Find Grant Opportunities and Apply for Grants. The site is designed to support these two features and your use of them.

While you can begin searching for grant opportunities immediately, it is recommended that you complete the steps to Get Started (below) ahead of time. This will help ensure you are ready to go when you find an opportunity for which you would like to apply.

Applications From Individuals

In order for you to apply as an individual, the announcement must specify that the program is open to individuals and it must be published on the Grants.gov Web site. Individuals must register with the Credential Provider (see Step 3 below) and with Grants.gov (see Step 4 below).

Individuals do not need a DUNS number to register (see Step 4 below) and submit their applications. The system will generate a default value in that field.

Grants.gov Application Submission and Receipt Procedures

This section provides the application submission and receipt instructions for NOAA program applications. Please read the following instructions carefully and completely.

1. Electronic Delivery. NOAA is participating in the Grants.gov Initiative, which provides the Grant Community a single site to find and apply for grant funding opportunities. NOAA encourages applicants to submit their applications electronically through: http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp.

2. The following describes what to expect when applying online using Grants.gov/Apply:

a. Instructions. On the site, you will find step-by-step instructions, which enable you to apply for NOAA funds. The Grants.gov/Apply feature includes a simple, unified application process that makes it possible for applicants to apply for grants online. There are six "Get Started" steps to complete at Grants.gov. The information applicants need to understand and execute the steps can be found at: http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp. Applicants should read the Get Started steps carefully. The site also contains registration checklists to help you walk through the process. NOAA recommends that you download the checklists and prepare the information requested before beginning the registration process. Reviewing and assembling required information before beginning the registration process will make the process fast and smooth and save time.

b. DUNS Requirement. All applicants applying for funding, including renewal funding, must have a Dun and Bradstreet Universal Data Numbering System (DUNS) number. The DUNS number must be included in the data entry field labeled "Organizational Duns" on the form SF-424. Instructions for obtaining a DUNS number can be found at the following Web site: http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp.

c. Central Contractor Registry and Credential Provider Registration. In addition to having a DUNS number, applicants applying electronically through Grants.gov must register with the Federal Central Contractor Registry and with a Credential Provider. The http://www.grants.gov Web site at http://www.grants.gov/applicants/get_registered.jsp provides step-by-step instructions for registering in the Central Contractor Registry and for registering with a credential provider. All applicants filing electronically must register with the Central Contractor Registry and receive credentials from the Grants.gov credential provider in order to apply online. Failure to register with the Central Contractor Registry and credential provider will result in your application being rejected by the Grants.gov portal.

The registration process is a separate process from submitting an application. Applicants are, therefore, encouraged to register early. The registration process can take approximately two weeks to be completed. Therefore, registration should be done in sufficient time to ensure it does not impact your ability to meet required submission deadlines. You will be able to submit your application online any time after you receive your e- authentication credentials.

d. Electronic Signature. Applications submitted through Grants.gov constitute submission as electronically signed applications. The registration and e-authentication process establishes the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR). When you submit the application through Grants.gov, the name of your authorized organization representative on file will be inserted into the signature line of the application. Applicants must register the individual who is able to make legally binding commitments for the applicant organization as the

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Authorized Organization Representative.

3. Instructions on how to submit an electronic application to NOAA via Grants.gov/Apply: Grants.gov has a full set of instructions on how to apply for funds on its Web site at http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp. The following provides simple guidance on what you will find on the Grants.gov/Apply site. Applicants are encouraged to read through the page entitled, "Complete Application Package" before getting started. Grants.gov allows applicants to download the application package, instructions and forms that are incorporated in the instructions, and work offline. In addition to forms that are part of the application instructions, there will be a series of electronic forms that are provided utilizing an Adobe Reader.

Note: For the Adobe Reader, Grants.gov is only compatible with versions 8.1.1 and above. Please do not use lower versions of the Adobe Reader. Mandatory Fields on Adobe Reader Forms: In the Adobe forms you will note fields that appear with a yellow background and red outline color. These fields are mandatory and must be completed to successfully submit your application.

Completion of SF-424 Fields: The Adobe forms are designed to fill in common required fields such as the applicant name and address, DUNS number, etc., on all Adobe electronic forms. To trigger this feature, an applicant must complete the SF-424 information first. Once it is completed the information will transfer to the other forms.

Customer Support. The Grants.gov Web site provides customer support via (800) 518-4726 (this is a toll-free number) or through e-mail at support@grants.gov. The Contact Center is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays, to address Grants.gov technology issues. For technical assistance to program related questions, contact the number listed in the Program Section of the program you are applying for.

4. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission.

a. Electronic Submission. All applications must be received by http://www.grants.gov/applicants/apply_for_grants.jsp the due date established for each program. Proof of timely submission is automatically recorded by Grants.gov. An electronic time stamp is generated within the system when the application is successfully received by Grants.gov. The applicant will receive an acknowledgment of receipt and a tracking number from Grants.gov with the successful transmission of their application. Applicants should print this receipt and save it, along with facsimile receipts for information provided by facsimile, as proof of timely submission. When NOAA successfully retrieves the application from Grants.gov, Grants.gov will provide an electronic acknowledgment of receipt to the e-mail address of the AOR. Proof of timely submission shall be the date and time that Grants.gov receives your application. Applications received by Grants.gov after the established due date for the program will be considered late and will not be considered for funding by NOAA.

NOAA suggests that applicants submit their applications during the operating hours of the Contact Center for Grants.gov, so that if there are questions concerning transmission, operators will be available to walk you through the process. Submitting your application during the Contact Center hours will also ensure that you have sufficient time for the application to complete its transmission prior to the application deadline. Applicants using dial-up connections should be aware that transmission may take some time before Grants.gov receives it. Grants.gov will provide either an error or a successfully received transmission message. The Grants.gov reports that some applicants abort the transmission because they think that nothing is occurring during the transmission process. Please be patient and give the system time to process the application. Uploading and transmitting many files particularly electronic forms with associated XML schemas will take some time to be processed.

Evaluation Criteria and Selection Procedures

NOAA has standardized the evaluation and selection process for its competitive assistance programs. There are two separate sets of evaluation criteria and selection procedures (see below), one for project proposals, and the other for fellowship, scholarship, and internship programs.

Project Proposals

Review and Selection Process. Some project proposals may include a pre- application process that provides for feedback to applicants that responded to a call for letters of intent or pre-proposals; however, not all programs will include this pre-application. If a program has a pre-application process, it will be described in the Summary Description section of the announcement and the deadline will be specified in the Application Deadline section.

Upon receipt of a full application by NOAA, an initial administrative review will be conducted to determine compliance with requirements and completeness of the application. A merit review will also be conducted to produce a rank order of the proposals.

The NOAA Program Officer may review the ranking of the proposals and make recommendations to the Selecting Official based on the administrative and/or merit review(s) and selection factors listed below. The Selecting Official selects proposals after considering the administrative and/or merit review(s) and recommendations of the Program Officer. In making the final selections, the Selecting Official will award in rank order unless the proposal is justified to be selected out of rank order based upon one or more of the selection factors below. The Program Officer and/or Selecting Official may negotiate the funding level of the proposal. The Selecting Official makes final award recommendations to the Grants Officer authorized to obligate the funds.

Evaluation Criteria

At least three technical reviewers will individually evaluate and rank proposals using the following evaluation criteria:

1. Importance and/or relevance and applicability of a proposed project to the program goals: This ascertains whether there is intrinsic value in the proposed work and/or relevance to NOAA, Federal (other than NOAA), regional, state, or local activities.

2. Technical/scientific merit: This assesses whether the approach is technically sound and/or innovative, if the methods are appropriate, and whether there are clear project goals and objectives.

3. Overall qualifications of applicants: This ascertains whether the applicant possesses the necessary education, experience, training, facilities, and administrative resources to accomplish the project.

4. Project costs: The project's budget is evaluated to determine if it is realistic and commensurate with the project needs and timeframe.

5. Outreach and education: NOAA assesses whether this project provides a focused and effective education and outreach strategy regarding its mission to protect the Nation's natural resources.

Selection Factors. The merit review ratings will be used to provide a rank order to the Selecting Official for final funding recommendations. A Program Officer may first make

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recommendations to the Selecting Official applying the selection factors listed below. The Selecting Official shall award in rank order unless the proposal is justified to be selected out of rank order based upon one or more of the following factors:

1. Availability of funding.

2. Balance/distribution of funds:

a. Geographically,

b. By type of institutions,

c. By type of partners,

d. By research areas, and

e. By project types.

3. Whether the project duplicates other projects funded or considered for funding by NOAA or other federal agencies.

4. Program priorities and policy factors.

5. Applicant's prior award performance.

6. Partnerships and/or participation of targeted groups.

7. Adequacy of information necessary for NOAA to make a National Environmental Policy Act determination and draft necessary documentation before funding recommendations are made to the Grants Officer.

Fellowship, Scholarship and Internship Programs

Review and Selection Process: Some fellowship, scholarship and internship programs may include a pre-application process that provides for feedback to the applicants that have responded to a call for letters of intent or pre- proposals; however, not all programs will include this pre-application. If a program has a pre-application process, the process will be described in the Summary Description section of the announcement and the deadline will be specified in the Application Deadline section.

Upon receipt of a full application by NOAA, an initial administrative review will be conducted to determine compliance with requirements and completeness of the application. A merit review will also be conducted to produce a rank order of the proposals.

The NOAA Program Officer may review the ranking of the proposals and make recommendations to the Selecting Official based on the administrative and/or merit review(s) and selection factors listed below. The Selecting Official selects proposals after considering the administrative and/or merit review(s) and recommendations of the Program Officer. In making the final selections, the Selecting Official will award in rank order unless the proposal is justified to be selected out of rank order based upon one or more of the selection factors below. The Program Officer and/or Selecting Official may negotiate the funding level of the proposal. The Selecting Official makes final award recommendations to the Grants Officer authorized to obligate the funds.

Evaluation Criteria

At least three technical reviewers will individually evaluate and rank proposals using the following evaluation criteria.

1. Academic record and statement of career goals and objectives of the student.

2. Quality of project and applicability to program priorities.

3. Recommendations and/or endorsements of the student.

4. Additional relevant experience related to diversity of education; extra- curricular activities; honors and awards; and interpersonal, written, and oral communications skills.

5. Financial need of the student.

Selection Factors

The merit review ratings will be used to provide a rank order by the Selecting Official for final funding recommendations. A Program Officer may first make recommendations to the Selecting Official by applying the selection factors listed below. The Selecting Official shall award in the rank order unless the proposal is justified to be selected out of rank order based upon one or more of the following factors:

1. Availability of funds.

2. Balance/distribution of funds:

a. Across academic disciplines,

b. By types of institutions, or

c. Geographically.

3. Program-specific objectives.

4. Degree in scientific area and type of degree sought.

III. NOAA Project Competitions

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)

1. FY 2009 Monkfish Research Set-Aside

Summary Description: NMFS announces that the New England and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils) have set aside 500 monkfish days-at-sea (DAS) to be used for research endeavors under a research set-aside (RSA) program. NMFS is soliciting proposals for research activities concerning the monkfish fishery for fishing year 2009 (May 1, 2009-April 30, 2010). Through the allocation of research DAS, the Monkfish RSA Program provides a mechanism to reduce the cost for vessel owners to participate in cooperative monkfish research. The intent of this program is for fishing vessels to utilize these research DAS to conduct monkfish related research, rather than their allocated monkfish DAS, thereby eliminating any cost to the vessel associated with using a monkfish DAS. Landings from such research trips may be sold to generate funds to help defray research costs. No Federal funds are provided for research under this notification. Rather, projects funded under the Monkfish RSA Program would be provided with additional opportunity to harvest monkfish, and the catch sold to generate income to offset research costs. Projects funded under an RSA DAS award must enhance the knowledge of the monkfish fishery resource or contribute to the body of information on which management decisions are made. The Councils and NMFS will give priority to funding research proposals in the following general subject areas: (1) Cooperative research to supplement NMFS surveys; (2) life history studies on age and growth, longevity, reproduction, and natural mortality; (3) tagging and telemetry studies to investigate short- and long-term movements and habitat use; (4) research concerning bycatch and discard mortality of target and/or non-target species; (5) trawl and gillnet gear studies concerning size and/or species selectivity and bycatch reduction (including reducing bycatch of and interactions with protected species); and (6) research concerning trophic interactions of monkfish with other species. Please note that the research subject areas listed above are not listed in order of priority. Projects that follow up or expand on previous cooperative research are encouraged and will be given additional consideration, provided such research would enhance the utility of the initial work.

Funding Availability: No Federal funds are provided for research under this notification. Rather, projects selected under the Monkfish RSA Program would be provided with additional opportunity to harvest monkfish, and the catch sold to generate income to offset research costs. The Federal Government (i.e., NMFS) may issue an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP), if needed, that may provide special fishing privileges in response to research proposals selected under this program. For example, vessels participating in an approved research project may be authorized by the Northeast Regional Administrator, NMFS, to harvest monkfish in excess of established possession limits. This would be the fourth year of the

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Monkfish RSA Program. Two awards were issued under the 2006 Monkfish RSA Program, with these projects ending in April 2007. Three awards were issued under the 2007 Monkfish RSA Program, with these projects recently ending April 2007. Four awards have been issued under the 2008 Monkfish RSA program, and these projects are expected to commence in May 2008. A total of 137.5 RSA DAS were issued to projects during FY 2006. A total of 367 RSA DAS were issued to projects for FY 2007. All of the 500 monkfish RSA DAS available thru the Monkfish RSA program have been issued to projects for FY 2009. It is anticipated that 2-5 awards will be made under the 2009 Monkfish RSA Program. Funds generated from landings harvested and sold under the Monkfish RSA Program shall be used to cover the cost of research activities, including vessel costs. For example, the funds may be used to pay for gear modifications, monitoring equipment, the salaries of research personnel, or vessel operation costs. The Federal Government shall not be liable for any costs incurred in the conduct of the project. Specifically, the Federal Government is not liable for any costs incurred by the researcher or vessel owner should the sale of catch not fully reimburse the researcher or vessel owner for his/her expenses. Any additional funds generated through the sale of set-aside landings, above the cost of the research activities, shall be retained by the vessel owner as compensation for the use of his/her vessel.

Statutory Authority: Statutory authority for this program is found under sections 303(b)(11), 402(e), and 404(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 1853(b)(11), 16 U.S.C. 1881a(e), and 16 U.S.C. 1881(c), respectively. The ability to set aside monkfish DAS for research purposes was established in the final rule implementing Amendment 2 to the Monkfish Fishery Management Plan (70 FR 21927, April 28, 2005), codified at 50 CFR 648.92(c).

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.454, Unallied Management Projects.

Application Deadline: Full proposals must be received by 5 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on September 9, 2008.

Address for Submitting Proposals: To apply for this NOAA Federal funding opportunity, please go to http://www.grants.gov, and use the following funding opportunity # NMFS-NEFSC-2009-2001478. Applicants without Internet access may contact Cheryl Corbett, NMFS, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543, by phone 508-495-2070, fax 508-495-2004, or e- mail ccorbett@noaa.gov.

Information Contacts: Information may be obtained from Paul Howard, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC), by phone 978-465-0492, or by fax 978-465-3116; Philip Haring, Senior Fishery Analyst, NEFMC, by phone 978-465-0492, or by e-mail at pharing@nefmc.org; or Cheryl Corbett, NMFS, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, phone 508-495-2070, fax 508-495-2004, or e-mail ccorbett@noaa.gov, or from Ryan Silva, NMFS, Northeast Regional Office, phone (978) 281-9326, fax (978) 281-9135, e-mail ryan.silva@noaa.gov.

Eligibility: 1. Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to, institutions of higher education, hospitals, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, individuals, State, local, and Native American tribal governments. Federal agencies and institutions are not eligible to receive Federal assistance under this notice. Additionally, employees of any Federal agency or Regional Fishery Management Council (Council) are ineligible to submit an application under this program. However, Council members who are not Federal employees may submit an application. 2. DOC/NOAA supports cultural and gender diversity and encourages women and minority individuals and groups to submit applications to the RSA program. In addition, DOC/NOAA is strongly committed to broadening the participation of historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic serving institutions, tribal colleges and universities, and institutions that work in underserved areas. DOC/NOAA encourages proposals involving any of the above institutions. 3. DOC/NOAA encourages applications from members of the fishing community and applications that involve fishing community cooperation and participation.

Cost Sharing Requirements: None required.

Intergovernmental Review: Applicants will need to determine if their State participates in the intergovernmental review process. This information can be found at the following Web site: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html. This information will assist applicants in providing either a Yes or No response to Item 16 of the Application Form, SF-424, entitled "Application for Federal Assistance."

2. FY 2009 Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside

Summary Description: NMFS requests scallop research proposals to utilize Atlantic sea scallop (scallop) total allowable catch (TAC) and Days-at-Sea (DAS) that have been set-aside by the New England Fishery Management Council (Council) to fund scallop research endeavors through the 2009 Atlantic Sea Scallop Research Set-Aside Program (Scallop RSA Program). NMFS is requesting proposals for research activities for FY 2009. No Federal funds are provided for research under this notification.

Rather, the Scallop RSA Program funds scallop research and compensates participating vessels through the sale of scallops harvested under the research set-aside quota. Priority will be given to scallop research proposals that investigate research priorities identified by the Council and detailed under the Program Priorities section of the FFO.

Funding Availability: No Federal funds are provided for sea scallop research under this notice. Funds are generated through the sale of set-aside scallops. The Federal government will issue Letters of Authorization (LOAs) that provide special fishing privileges in response to sea scallop research proposals selected to participate in the 2009 Scallop RSA Program. Funds generated from RSA landings shall be used to cover the cost of the research activities, including vessel costs, and to compensate vessels for expenses incurred during the collection of set-aside scallops. For example, these funds could be used to pay for gear modifications, monitoring equipment, additional provisions (e.g., fuel, ice, food for scientists) or the salaries of research personnel. The Federal Government is not liable for any costs incurred by the researcher or vessel owner. Any additional funds generated through the sale of set-aside scallops above the cost of the research activities, shall be retained by the vessel owner as compensation for the use of his/her vessel.

Statutory Authority: Statutory authority for this program is provided under sections 303(b)(11), 402(e), and 404(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, 16 U.S.C. 1853(b)(11), 16 U.S.C. 1881a(e), and 16 U.S.C. 1881(c), respectively. The ability to set aside scallop TAC and DAS and to establish parameters are found in the Joint Frameworks (69 FR 63460, November 2, 2004), and Amendment 10 (69 FR 35194, June 23, 2004) and Framework Adjustment 19 (73 FR 30790, May 29, 2008) to the Federal

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Atlantic Sea Scallop Fishery Management Plan (May 15, 1982).

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.454, Unallied Management Projects.

Application Deadline: Full proposals must be received by 5 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, on August 25, 2008.

Address for Submitting Proposals: To apply for this NOAA Federal funding opportunity, please go to http://www.grants.gov, and use the following funding opportunity # NMFS-NEFSC-2009-2001472. Applicants without Internet access may contact Cheryl Corbett, NMFS, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543, by phone 508-495-2070, fax 508-495-2004, or e- mail ccorbett@noaa.gov.

Information Contacts: Information may be obtained from Deirdre Boelke, New England Fishery Management Council, phone (978) 465-0492, fax (978) 465-3116, or e-mail dboelke@nefmc.org, from Cheryl Corbett, NMFS, Northeast Fisheries Science Center, phone 508-495-2070, fax 508-495-2004, or e-mail ccorbett@noaa.gov, or from Ryan Silva, NMFS, Northeast Regional Office, phone (978) 281-9326, fax (978) 281-9135, e-mail ryan.silva@noaa.gov.

Eligibility: 1. Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to, institutions of higher education, hospitals, other nonprofits, commercial organizations, individuals, state, local, and Native American tribal governments. Federal agencies and institutions are not eligible to receive Federal assistance under this notice. Additionally, employees of any Federal agency or Regional Fishery Management Council (Council) are ineligible to submit an application under this program. However, Council members who are not Federal employees may submit an application. 2. DOC/NOAA supports cultural and gender diversity and encourages women and minority individuals and groups to submit applications to the RSA program. In addition, DOC/NOAA is strongly committed to broadening the participation of historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic serving institutions, tribal colleges and universities, and institutions that work in underserved areas. DOC/NOAA encourages proposals involving any of the above institutions. 3. DOC/NOAA encourages applications from members of the fishing community and applications that involve fishing community cooperation and participation.

Cost Sharing Requirements: None Required.

Intergovernmental Review: Applicants will need to determine if their State participates in the intergovernmental review process. This information can be found at the following Web site: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html. This information will assist applicants in providing either a Yes or No response to Item 16 of the Application Form, SF-424, entitled "Application for Federal Assistance."

3. Cooperative Research Program

Summary Description: The CRP program provides financial assistance for projects that seek to increase and improve the working relationship between researchers from the NMFS, state fishery agencies, universities, and fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico and off the South Atlantic states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida involving the U.S. fishing industry (recreational and commercial). The program is a means of involving commercial and recreational fishermen in the collection of fundamental fisheries information. Collection efforts support the development and evaluation of management and regulatory options. This program addresses NOAA's mission goal to "Protect, Restore, and Manage the Use of Coastal and Ocean Resources Through an Ecosystem Approach to Management."

Funding Availability: Approximately $2.0 million may be available in fiscal year (FY) 2009 for projects. Actual funding availability for this program is contingent upon Fiscal Year 2009 Congressional appropriations. The NMFS Southeast Regional Office estimates awarding projects that will range from $25,000 to $400,000. The average award is $150,000. Publication of this notice does not obligate NMFS to award any specific grant or cooperative agreement or any of the available funds.

Statutory Authority: Authority for the CRP is provided by the following: 15 U.S.C. 713c-3(d).

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.454, Unallied Management Projects.

Application Deadline: Applications must be received by 5 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time on September 9, 2008 to be considered for funding. Applications received after the deadline will be rejected/returned to the sender without further consideration.

Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications must be submitted through www.grants.gov, unless an applicant does not have Internet access. In that case, hard copies with original signatures may be sent to: National Marine Fisheries Service, State/Federal Liaison Branch, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

Information Contacts: For questions regarding the application process, you may contact: Robert Sadler, State/Federal Liaison Branch, (727) 824-5324, or Robert.Sadler@noaa.gov.

Eligibility: Eligible applicants may be institutions of higher education, nonprofits, commercial organizations, individuals, and state, local, and Indian tribal governments. Federal agencies or institutions are not eligible. Foreign governments, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign governments, and international organizations are excluded for purposes of this solicitation since the objective of the CRP is to optimize research and development benefits from U.S. marine fishery resources. Applicants who are not commercial or recreational fisherman must have commercial or recreational fishermen participating in their project. There must be a written agreement with a fisherman describing the involvement in the project activity.

Cost Sharing Requirements: Cost-sharing is not required for this program.

Intergovernmental Review: Applications submitted by state and local governments are subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs. Any applicant submitting an application for funding is required to complete item 16 on SF-424 regarding clearance by the State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) established as a result of EO 12372. To find out about and comply with a State's process under EO 12372, the names, addresses and phone numbers of participating SPOCs are listed in the Office of Management and Budget's home page at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.

4. FY 2009 B-WET Chesapeake

Summary Description: The Chesapeake B-WET grant program is a competitively based program that supports existing environmental education programs, fosters the growth of new programs, and encourages the development of partnerships among environmental education programs throughout the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed. Funded projects assist in meeting the Stewardship and Community Engagement goals of the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement. Projects chosen for award under this program support organizations that provide students meaningful watershed educational experiences and teachers related professional development opportunities related to the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

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Funding Availability: This solicitation announces that approximately $3.5M may be available in FY 2009 in award amounts to be determined by the proposals and available funds. Funding is anticipated to maintain partnerships for up to 3 years duration, but is dependent on funding made available annually by Congress. Project proposals accepted for funding with a project period over one year do not have to compete for the additional years of funding. However, funding for the additional years is contingent upon the availability of funds and satisfactory performance and is at the sole discretion of the agency. 1. Approximately $2.5M of the $3.5M available in FY 2009 will be for exemplary programs that successfully integrate teacher professional development on the Chesapeake Bay watershed with in-depth classroom study and outdoor experiences for their students. 2. Approximately $500K of the $3.5M available in FY 2009 will be for proposals that provide opportunities either for students to participate in MWEEs related to Chesapeake Bay or related Professional Development for teachers. 3. Approximately $500K of the $3.5M available in FY 2009 will be for proposals that incorporate CBIBS into meaningful watershed educational experiences for students or related professional development for teachers. The NCBO anticipates that typical awards for B-WET Exemplar Programs that successfully integrate teacher professional development with in-depth classroom student and outdoor experiences for their students will range from $50,000 to $200,000. Projects that represent either meaningful watershed educational experiences for students or teacher professional development in watershed education will range from $25,000 to $75,000. Projects focusing on the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy system will range from $25,000 to $200,000. Actual funding availability for this program is contingent upon Fiscal Year 2009 Congressional appropriations. The exact amount of funds that may be awarded will be determined in pre-award negotiations between the applicant and NOAA representatives. Publication of this notice does not oblige NOAA to award any specific project or to obligate any available funds. If applicants incur any costs prior to an award being made, they do so at their own risk of not being reimbursed by the government. Notwithstanding verbal or written assurance that may have been received, there is no obligation on the part of NOAA to cover pre-award costs unless approved by the Grants Officer as part of the terms when the award is made.

Statutory Authority: Under 33 U.S.C. 893a(a), the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is authorized to conduct, develop, support, promote, and coordinate formal and informal educational activities at all levels to enhance public awareness and understanding of ocean, coastal, Great Lakes, and atmospheric science and stewardship by the general public and other coastal stakeholders, including underrepresented groups in ocean and atmospheric science and policy careers. In conducting those activities, the Administrator shall build upon the educational programs and activities of the agency.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.457, Chesapeake Bay Studies.

Application Deadline: Proposals must be received by 5 p.m. eastern time on Friday, October 3, 2008.

Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications must be submitted through www.grants.gov, unless an applicant does not have Internet access. In that case, hard copies with original signatures may be sent to: Shannon Sprague, B- WET Program Manager, NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office, 410 Severn Avenue, Suite 107A, Annapolis, MD 21403

Information Contacts: Please visit the B-WET Web site for further information at: http://noaa.chesapeakebay.net/educationgrants.aspx or contact the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office, 410 Severn Avenue, Suite 107A, Annapolis, MD 21403, or by phone at 410-267-5660. Potential applicants are also invited to contact the staff before submitting an application to discuss the applicability of partnership ideas to B-WET goals and objectives. B-WET contacts are as follows: Virginia/West Virginia: Ann Marie Chapman (annmarie.chapman@noaa.gov --757-627-3823), Maryland's Eastern Shore/Delaware: Doug Levin (doug.levin@noaa.gov --410-226-5193), Maryland (other than Eastern Shore)/Washington, DC: Kevin Schabow (kevin.schabow@noaa.gov --410-267-3145), Pennsylvania/New York: Shannon Sprague (shannon.sprague@noaa.gov --410-267- 5664).

Eligibility: Eligible applicants are K-through-12 public and independent schools and school systems, institutions of higher education, community-based and nonprofit organizations, state or local government agencies, interstate agencies, and Indian tribal governments in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (DOC/NOAA) is strongly committed to broadening the participation of historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic serving institutions, tribal colleges and universities, and institutions that work in underserved areas. The NCBO encourages proposals involving any of the above institutions.

Cost Sharing Requirements: No cost sharing is required under this program, however, the NCBO strongly encourages applicants applying for either area of interest to share as much of the costs of the award as possible. Funds from other Federal awards may not be considered matching funds. The nature of the contribution (cash versus in-kind) and the amount of matching funds will be taken into consideration in the review process. Priority selection will be given to proposals that propose cash rather than in-kind contributions.

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

5. FY 2009 Open Rivers Initiative

Summary Description: The NOAA Open Rivers Initiative (ORI) provides funding to catalyze the implementation of locally-driven projects to remove dams and other river barriers, in order to benefit living marine and coastal resources, particularly diadromous fish. Projects funded through the Open Rivers Initiative have strong on-the-ground habitat restoration components that foster economic, educational, and social benefits for citizens and their communities in addition to long-term ecological habitat improvements for NOAA trust resources. Through the ORI, NOAA provides funding and technical assistance for barrier removal projects. Proposals selected for funding through this solicitation will be implemented through a cooperative agreement. Funding of up to $7,000,000 is expected to be available for ORI Project Grants in FY 2009. The NOAA Restoration Center (RC) within the Office of Habitat Conservation will administer this grant initiative, and anticipates that typical awards will range from $50,000 to $250,000. Although a select few may fall outside of this range, project proposals requesting less than $30,000 or greater than $1,000,000 will not be accepted or reviewed.

Funding Availability: This solicitation announces that funding of up to $7,000,000 is expected to be available for Open Rivers Initiative Project Grants in FY 2009. Actual funding availability

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for this program is contingent upon Fiscal Year 2009 Congressional appropriations. NOAA anticipates that typical project awards will range from $50,000 to $250,000; proposals requesting less than $30,000 or more than $1,000,000 will not be accepted under this solicitation. NOAA does not guarantee that sufficient funds will be available to make awards for all proposals. The number of awards to be made as a result of this solicitation will depend on the number of eligible applications received, the amount of funds requested by the applicants, the merit and ranking of the proposals, and the amount of funds made available to the ORI by Congress. NOAA anticipates that between 10 and 20 awards will be made as a result of this solicitation. The exact amount of funds that may be awarded will be determined in pre-award negotiations between the applicant and NOAA representatives. Publication of this document does not obligate NOAA to award any specific project or obligate all or any parts of any available funds.

Statutory Authority: The Secretary of Commerce is authorized under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. 661, as amended by the Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970, to provide grants or cooperative agreements for fisheries habitat restoration. The Secretary of Commerce is also authorized under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 (H.R. 5946) to provide funding and technical expertise for fisheries and coastal habitat restoration and to promote significant community support and volunteer participation in such activities.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.463, Habitat Conservation.

Application Deadline: Applications must be submitted through www.grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. EDT, October 31, 2008. If an applicant does not have Internet access, hard copy applications with the SF-424 Form bearing an original, ink signature must be postmarked, or provided to a delivery service and documented with a receipt, by October 31, 2008. No facsimile or electronic mail applications will be accepted.

Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications must be submitted through www.grants.gov, unless an applicant does not have Internet access. In that case, hard copies with original signatures may be sent to: NOAA Restoration Center (F/HC3), Office of Habitat Conservation, NOAA Fisheries, 1315 East-West Highway, Rm. 14718, Silver Spring, MD 20910. ATTN: Open Rivers Initiative Project Applications.

Information Contacts: For further information contact Tisa Shostik (Tisa.Shostik@noaa.gov) or Melanie Gange (Melanie.Gange@noaa.gov) at (301) 713-0174. Potential applicants are invited to contact NOAA Restoration Center staff before submitting an application to discuss the applicability of project ideas to the goals and objectives of ORI. Additional information on the ORI can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat/restoration.

Eligibility: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education, non- profits, industry and commercial (for profit) organizations, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign governments, international organizations, and state, local and Indian tribal governments whose projects have the potential to benefit NOAA trust resources. Applications from federal agencies or employees of federal agencies will not be considered. Federal agencies are strongly encouraged to work with states, non-governmental organizations, national service clubs or youth corps organizations and others that are eligible to apply. The Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (DOC/NOAA) is strongly committed to broadening the participation of historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic- serving institutions, tribal colleges and universities, and institutions that work in under-served areas. The ORI encourages proposals from or involving any of the above institutions.

Cost Sharing Requirements: A major goal of the ORI will be to provide seed money for projects that leverage funds and other contributions from a broad public and private sector to implement locally important barrier removals to benefit living marine and coastal resources. To this end, applicants are encouraged to demonstrate a 1:1 non-federal match for ORI funds requested to conduct the proposed project. NOAA strongly encourages applicants to leverage as much investment as possible. Applicants with less than 1:1 match will not be disqualified. However, applicants should note that cost sharing is an element considered in Evaluation Criterion #4 "Project Costs" (Section V.A.4.) in the FFO. Matching funds can come from a variety of public and private sources and can include in-kind goods and services and volunteer labor. Applicants are permitted to combine contributions from non-federal partners, as long as such contributions are not being used to match any other funds and are available within the project period stated in the application. Federal sources cannot be considered for matching funds, but can be described in the budget narrative to demonstrate additional leverage. Applicants are also permitted to apply federally negotiated indirect costs in excess of federal share limits as described in Section IV. E. 2. "Indirect Costs" of the FFO. Applicants whose proposals are selected for funding will be bound by the percentage of cost sharing reflected in the award document signed by the NOAA Grants Officer. Successful applicants should be prepared to carefully document matching contributions, including the overall number of volunteers and in-kind participation hours devoted to individual barrier removal projects. Letters of commitment for any secured resources that will be used as match for an award under this solicitation should be submitted as an attachment to the application, see Section IV.B of the FFO.

Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this initiative are subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." Any applicant submitting an application for funding is required to complete item 16 on SF-424 regarding clearance by the State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) established as a result of EO 12372. To find out about and comply with a state's process under EO 12372, the names, addresses and phone numbers of participating SPOCs are listed in the Office of Management and Budget's home page at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.

6. FY 2009 Atlantic Salmon Conservation Grants

Summary Description: NOAA Atlantic Salmon Conservation Grants provide funding to catalyze the implementation of locally driven projects that address priority needs for Atlantic salmon recovery and restoration. Through these grants, NOAA provides funding and technical assistance to support restoration of habitat connectivity and function for the benefit of Atlantic salmon within their current and historical range in New England. Funded projects have strong on-the-ground habitat restoration or protection components that lead to long- term ecological habitat improvements for Atlantic salmon, and also provide educational and social benefits related to Atlantic salmon conservation for citizens and their communities. Proposals selected for funding through this solicitation will be implemented

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through a cooperative agreement. The Atlantic Salmon Conservation Grants initiative is collaboratively managed by the NOAA Northeast Regional Office and the Office of Habitat Conservation. The NOAA Restoration Center (RC) within the Office of Habitat Conservation will administer the grant competition. Funding of up to $2,500,000 is expected to be available for Atlantic Salmon Conservation Grants in FY 2009. Typical awards will range from $50,000 to $250,000. Although a select few may fall outside of this typical award range, project proposals requesting less than $30,000 or more than $500,000 will not be accepted or reviewed.

Funding Availability: This solicitation announces that funding of up to $2,500,000 is expected to be available for the Atlantic Salmon Conservation Grants in FY 2009. Actual funding availability for this solicitation is contingent upon Fiscal Year 2009 Congressional appropriations. NOAA anticipates that typical project awards will range from $50,000 to $250,000; proposals requesting less than $30,000 or more than $500,000 will not be accepted under this solicitation. NOAA anticipates that between 25 and 40 awards will be made as a result of this solicitation. The exact amount of funds that may be awarded will be determined in pre-award negotiations between the applicant and NOAA representatives. Publication of this document does not obligate NOAA to award any specific project or obligate all or any parts of any available funds.

Statutory Authority: The Secretary of Commerce is authorized under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. 661, as amended by the Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970, to provide grants or cooperative agreements for fisheries habitat restoration. The Secretary of Commerce is also authorized under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006 (H.R. 5946) to provide funding and technical expertise for fisheries and coastal habitat restoration and to promote significant community support and volunteer participation in such activities.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.463, Habitat Conservation.

Application Deadline: Applications must be submitted through www.grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. EDT, November 14, 2008. If an applicant does not have Internet access, hard copy applications with the SF-424 Form bearing an original, ink signature must be postmarked, or provided to a delivery service and documented with a receipt, by November 14, 2008. No facsimile or electronic mail applications will be accepted.

Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications must be submitted through www.grants.gov, unless an applicant does not have Internet access. In that case, hard copies with original signatures may be sent to: NOAA Restoration Center (F/HC3), Office of Habitat Conservation, NOAA Fisheries, 1315 East-West Highway, Rm. 14727, Silver Spring, MD 20910. ATTN: Atlantic Salmon Conservation Grant Applications.

Information Contacts: For further information contact Cathy Bozek (Cathy.Bozek@noaa.gov) or Craig Woolcott (Craig.Woolcott@noaa.gov) at (301) 713-0174. Potential applicants are invited to contact NOAA staff before submitting an application to discuss the applicability of project ideas to the goals and objectives of the grant solicitation.

Eligibility: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education, other non-profits, industry and commercial (for profit) organizations, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign governments, international organizations, and state, local and Indian tribal governments whose projects have the potential to benefit NOAA trust resources. Applications from federal agencies or employees of federal agencies will not be considered. Federal agencies are strongly encouraged to work with states, non-governmental organizations, national service clubs or youth corps organizations and others that are eligible to apply. The Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (DOC/NOAA) is strongly committed to broadening the participation of historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic- serving institutions, tribal colleges and universities, and institutions that work in under-served areas. NOAA encourages proposals from or involving any of the above institutions.

Cost Sharing Requirements: A major goal of this grant solicitation will be to provide seed money for projects that leverage funds and other contributions from a broad segment of the public and private sector to implement locally important habitat restoration projects to benefit Atlantic salmon populations. To this end, applicants are encouraged to demonstrate a 1:1 non-federal match for NOAA funds requested to conduct the proposed project. NOAA strongly encourages applicants to leverage as much investment as possible, but applicants with little or no match will not be disqualified. Applicants should note that cost sharing is an element considered in Evaluation Criterion #4 "Project Costs" (Section V.A.4.) of the FFO; however matters related to the importance and scientific merits of the proposed project comprise the majority of the evaluation criteria. Match to NOAA funds can come from a variety of public and private sources and can include in-kind goods and services and volunteer labor.

Applicants are permitted to combine contributions from non-federal partners, as long as such contributions are not being used to match any other funds and are available within the project period stated in the application. Federal sources cannot be considered for matching funds, but can be described in the budget narrative to demonstrate additional leverage. Applicants are also permitted to apply federally negotiated indirect costs in excess of federal share limits as described in Section IV.E. "Funding Restrictions" of the FFO. Applicants whose proposals are selected for funding will be bound by the percentage of cost sharing reflected in the award document signed by the NOAA Grants Officer. Successful applicants should be prepared to carefully document matching contributions, including the overall number of volunteers and in-kind participation hours devoted to individual restoration projects. Letters of commitment for any secured resources that will be used as match for an award under this solicitation should be submitted as an attachment to the application, see Section IV.B of the FFO.

Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this initiative are subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." Any applicant submitting an application for funding is required to complete item 16 on SF-424 regarding clearance by the State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) established as a result of EO 12372. To find out about and comply with a state's process under EO 12372, the names, addresses and phone numbers of participating SPOCs are listed in the Office of Management and Budget's home page at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.

7. FY 2009 Community-based Marine Debris Prevention and Removal Project Grants

Summary Description: The NOAA Marine Debris Program (MDP), authorized in the Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act (MDRPR Act, 33 U.S.C. 1951 et seq.), provides funding to catalyze the

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implementation of locally driven, community-based marine debris prevention, assessment and removal projects that will benefit coastal habitat, waterways, and NOAA trust resources. Projects funded through the MDP have strong on-the- ground habitat components involving the removal of marine debris and derelict fishing gear, as well as activities that provide social benefits for people and their communities in addition to long-term ecological habitat improvements for NOAA trust resources. Through this solicitation the MDP identifies marine debris prevention, assessment and removal projects, strengthens the development and implementation of habitat restoration through the removal of marine debris within communities, and fosters awareness of the effects of marine debris to further the conservation of living marine resource habitats across a wide geographic area. Proposals selected for funding through this solicitation will be implemented through a cooperative agreement. Funding of up to $2,000,000 is expected to be available for Community-based Marine Debris Prevention and Removal Project Grants in FY 2009. The NOAA MDP anticipates that typical awards will range from $15,000 to $150,000.

Funding Availability: This solicitation announces that funding of up to $2,000,000 is expected to be available for Community-based Marine Prevention and Removal Project Grants in FY 2009. Actual funding availability for this program is contingent upon Fiscal Year 2009 Congressional appropriations. The NOAA Restoration Center anticipates that typical project awards will range from $15,000 to $150,000; NOAA will not accept proposals for under $15,000 or proposals for over $250,000 under this solicitation. There is no guarantee that sufficient funds will be available to make awards for all proposals. The number of awards to be made as a result of this solicitation will depend on the number of eligible applications received, the amount of funds requested for initiating marine debris removal projects by the applicants, the merit and ranking of the proposals, and the amount of funds made available to the MDP by Congress. The NOAA Restoration Center anticipates that between 10 and 25 awards will be made as a result of this solicitation. The exact amount of funds that may be awarded will be determined in pre-award negotiations between the applicant and NOAA representatives. Publication of this document does not obligate NOAA to award any specific project or obligate all or any part of any available funds. In FY 2008, 10 applications were recommended for funding ranging from $39,000 to $175,000, for a total grant competition funding level of approximately $900,000. This is the fourth year of the Community-based Marine Debris Prevention and Removal Project Grants, a grant partnership between the NOAA Marine Debris Program and NOAA Restoration Center. These grants are funded through the NOAA Marine Debris Program with appropriations to the Office of Response and Restoration, National Ocean Service for this purpose. The NOAA Restoration Center will administer this grants program in the same manner that the Community-based Restoration Program is conducted.

Statutory Authority: The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is authorized under the MDRPR Act to provide grants or cooperative agreements to identify, determine sources of, assess, reduce, and prevent marine debris and its adverse impacts on the marine environment and navigation safety.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.463, Habitat Conservation.

Application Deadline: Applications must be submitted through www.grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. EDT, October 31, 2008. If an applicant does not have Internet access, hard copy applications with the SF-424 Form bearing an original, ink signature must be postmarked, or provided to a delivery service and documented with a receipt, by October 31, 2008. No facsimile or electronic mail applications will be accepted.

Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications must be submitted through www.grants.gov, unless an applicant does not have Internet access. In that case, hard copies with original signatures may be sent to: NOAA Restoration Center (F/HC3), Community-based Restoration Program, NOAA Fisheries, 1315 East-West Highway, Rm. 14727, Silver Spring, MD 20910. ATTN: MDP Project Applications.

Information Contacts: For further information contact David Landsman at 301-713-0174 or by e-mail at David.Landsman@noaa.gov.

Eligibility: Eligible applicants are institutions of higher education, other non-profits, commercial (for profit) organizations, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign governments, international organizations, and state, local and Indian tribal governments whose projects have the potential to benefit NOAA trust resources. Applications from federal agencies or employees of federal agencies will not be considered. Federal agencies are strongly encouraged to work with states, non-governmental organizations, national service clubs or youth corps organizations and others that are eligible to apply. The Department of Commerce/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (DOC/NOAA) is strongly committed to broadening the participation of historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic serving institutions, tribal colleges and universities, and institutions that work in under-served areas. The MDP encourages proposals involving any of the above institutions.

Cost Sharing Requirements: A major goal of the MDP is to provide seed money to projects that leverage funds and other contributions from a broad segment of the public and private sector to implement locally important marine debris prevention and removal activities to benefit living marine resources. To this end, the MDRPR Act requires applicants to demonstrate a minimum 1:1 non- Federal match for MDP funds requested to conduct the proposed project. In addition to formal match, NOAA strongly encourages applicants to leverage as much investment as possible. However, the MDRPR Act allows the Administrator to waive all or part of the matching requirement if the applicant can demonstrate that: (1) No reasonable means are available through which applicants can meet the matching requirement and (2) the probable benefit of such project outweighs the public interest in such matching requirement. In addition, the MDP may waive any requirement for matching funds by an Insular Area (Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and the Government of the Northern Mariana Islands). Under 48 U.S.C. 10.1469a(d.ii.i), any department or agency may waive any requirement for matching funds otherwise required by law to be provided by the Insular Area involved. All applicants should note that cost sharing is an element considered in Evaluation Criterion #4, "Project Costs" of the FFO. Match can come from a variety of public and private sources and can include in-kind goods and services such as private boat use and volunteer labor. Applicants are permitted to combine contributions from non-federal partners, as long as such contributions are not being used to match any other funds and are available within the project period stated in the application. Federal sources cannot be

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considered for matching funds, but can be described in the budget narrative to demonstrate additional leverage. Applicants are permitted to combine contributions from multiple non-federal partners in order to meet the 1:1 match recommendation, as long as such contributions are not being used to match any other funds. Applicants are also permitted to apply federally negotiated indirect costs in excess of federal share limits as described in Section IV. E. 2. "Indirect Costs" of the FFO. Applicants should also note that the following activities, in general, will not be considered as match under project awards: (1) Activities that constitute legally required mitigation for the adverse effects of an activity regulated or otherwise governed by local, state or Federal law; (2) activities that constitute restoration for natural resource damages under Federal, state or local law; and (3) activities that are required by a separate consent decree, court order, statute or regulation. However, the MDRPR Act allows the Administrator to authorize, as appropriate, the non-Federal share of the cost of a project to include money paid pursuant to, or the value of any in-kind service performed under, an administrative order on consent or judicial consent decree that will remove or prevent marine debris. Applicants whose proposals are selected for funding will be bound by the percentage of cost sharing reflected in the award document signed by the NOAA Grants Officer. Successful applicants should be prepared to carefully document matching contributions, including the names of participating volunteers and the overall number of volunteer or community participation hours devoted to individual marine debris prevention or removal projects. Letters of commitment for any secured resources expected to be used as match for an award should be submitted as an attachment to the application.

Intergovernmental Review: Applications submitted by state and local governments are subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." Any applicant submitting an application for funding is required to complete item 16 on SF-424 regarding clearance by the State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) established as a result of EO 12372. To find out about and comply with a State's process under EO 12372, the names, addresses and phone numbers of participating SPOCs are listed in the Office of Management and Budget's home page at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.

8. Marine Fisheries Initiative (MARFIN)

Summary Description: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southeast Region, is seeking proposals under the Marine Fisheries Initiative Program (MARFIN), for research and development projects that optimize the use of fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico and off the South Atlantic states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida involving the U.S. fishing industry (recreational and commercial), including fishery biology, resource assessment, socioeconomic assessment, management and conservation, selected harvesting methods, and fish handling and processing. This program addresses NOAA's mission goal to "Protect, Restore, and Manage the Use of Coastal and Ocean Resources Through an Ecosystem Approach to Management."

Funding Availability: Approximately $2.0 million may be available in fiscal year (FY) 2009 for projects. This amount includes possible in-house projects. Actual funding availability for this program is contingent upon Fiscal Year 2009 Congressional appropriations. The NMFS Southeast Regional Office anticipates awarding projects that will range from $25,000 to $300,000. The average award is $150,000. Publication of this notice does not obligate NMFS to award any specific grant or cooperative agreement or any of the available funds. Project proposals accepted for funding with a project period over one year do not have to compete for the additional years of funding. However, funding for the additional years is contingent upon the availability of funds and satisfactory performance and is at the sole discretion of the agency.

Statutory Authority: Authority for the Marine Fisheries Initiative Program is provided by the following: 15 U.S.C. 713c-3(d).

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.433, Marine Fisheries Initiative.

Application Deadline: Applications must be received by 5 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time on August 11, 2008 to be considered fur funding. Applications received after the deadline will be rejected/returned to the sender without further consideration.

Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications must be submitted through www.grants.gov, unless an applicant does not have Internet access. In that case, hard copies with original signatures may be sent to: National Marine Fisheries Service, State/Federal Liaison Branch, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

Information Contacts: For questions regarding the application process, you may contact: Robert Sadler, State/Federal Liaison Branch, (727) 824-5324, or Robert.Sadler@noaa.gov.

Eligibility: Eligible applicants may be institutions of higher education, nonprofits, commercial organizations, individuals, state, local and Indian tribal governments. Federal agencies or institutions are not eligible. Foreign governments, organizations under the jurisdiction of foreign governments, and international organizations are excluded for purposes of this solicitation since the objective of the MARFIN program is to optimize research and development benefits from U.S. marine fishery resources.

Cost Sharing Requirements: Cost-sharing is not required for this program.

Intergovernmental Review: Applications submitted by state and local governments are subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs. Any applicant submitting an application for funding is required to complete item 16 on SF-424 regarding clearance by the State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) established as a result of EO 12372. To find out about and comply with a State's process under EO 12372, the names, addresses and phone numbers of participating SPOCs are listed in the Office of Management and Budget's home page at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.

9. NOAA General Coral Reef Conservation Grants Program

Summary Description: The NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program/General Coral Reef Conservation Grants Program (GCRCGP) provides funding to institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, commercial organizations, Freely Associated State government agencies, and local and Indian tribal governments to support coral reef conservation projects in the United States and the Freely Associated States in the Pacific, as authorized under the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000. Projects funded through the GCRCGP support on-the ground efforts that: (1) Help preserve, sustain and restore the condition of coral reef ecosystems, (2) promote the wise management and sustainable use of coral reef resources, (3) increase public knowledge and awareness of coral reef ecosystems and issues regarding their conservation and (4) develop sound scientific information on the condition of coral reef ecosystems and the threats to such ecosystems. Projects should complement and fill gaps in state,

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territorial and commonwealth coral reef programs, emphasize community-based conservation, or address local action strategy priorities.

Proposals selected for funding through this solicitation require a 1:1 match and will be implemented through a grant. Funding of up to $600,000 is expected to be available for GCRCGP in FY 2009. These funds will be divided approximately equally among the U.S. Pacific and Atlantic to maintain geographic balance, as outlined in the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000. Awards will range from $15,000- $50,000.

Funding Availability: NOAA announces the availability of up to $600,000 of Federal assistance may be available in FY 2009 for the GCRCGP to support financial assistance awards for coral conservation activities. Proposals can be submitted for a minimum of $15,000 to a maximum of $50,000; NOAA will not accept proposals requesting over $50,000 of Federal funds. There is no limit on the number of applications that can be submitted by the same applicant during the 2009 competitive grant cycle. However, multiple applications submitted by the same applicant must clearly identify different projects and must be successful in the competitive review process. The number of awards made as a result of this solicitation will depend on the number of eligible applications received, the amount of funds requested for each project, the merit and ranking of the proposals, and the amount of funds made available to the Program by Congress. In addition, funding will be divided between the U.S. Pacific and U.S. Atlantic to meet requirements for geographic distribution of funds, as described in the Coral Reef Conservation Act. Attempts will also be made to fund one or more projects in each jurisdiction, provided that the project addresses priorities outlined above, it is identified as having sufficient merit, and it meets all other requirements as stipulated in this solicitation. The funds have not yet been appropriated for this program, and there is no guarantee that sufficient funds will be available to make awards for all qualified projects. Publication of this notice does not oblige NOAA to award any specific project or to obligate any available funds.

Statutory Authority: Authority for the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program is provided by Section 6403 (Coral Reef Conservation Program) of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 6401 et seq.).

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.463, Habitat Conservation.

Application Deadline: Proposals must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on November 3, 2008.

Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications must be submitted through www.grants.gov. If an applicant does not have Internet access, hard copy applications with the SF-424 Form bearing an original, ink signature must be postmarked November 3, 2008 and sent to: Jennifer Koss, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, NOAA Fisheries, Office of Habitat Conservation (F/HC), 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. ATTN: CRCGP Project Applications.

Information Contacts: Technical point of contact for NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program/General Grants is Jennifer Koss, 301-713-3459, extension 195 or E-mail at Jennifer.Koss@noaa.gov.

Eligibility: Institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations, commercial organizations, local and Indian tribal governments and Freely Associated State Government Agencies can apply for funding under the GCRCGP. U.S. federal, state, territory, and commonwealth governments and Regional Fishery Management Councils are not eligible for this program. NOAA employees are not allowed to help in the preparation of applications or write letters of support for any application. NOAA staff are available to provide information on programmatic goals and objectives, ongoing coral reef conservation programs, Regional funding priorities, and, along with other Federal Program Officers, can provide information on application procedures and completion of required forms. For activities that involve collaboration with current NOAA programs or staff, NOAA employees must provide a letter verifying that they are collaborating with the project. Federal employee travel and salaries are not allowable costs under this program.

Cost Sharing Requirements: As per section 6403(b)(1) of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, Federal funds for any coral conservation project funded under this Program may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost of the project. All GCRCGP projects submitted to this program require a 1:1 match obtained from non-Federal sources. Applicants must specify in their proposal the source of the match and provide letters of commitment to confirm stated match contributions. The match can include in-kind contributions and other non-cash support. Applicants are permitted to combine contributions from additional non-Federal partners in order to meet the 1:1 match expected, as long as such contributions are not being used to match any other funds. Federal funds may not be used as matching funds. The nature of the contribution (cash versus in-kind) and the amount of matching funds will be taken into consideration in the review process, with cash being the preferred method of contribution. Applicants with less than 1:1 match will not be disqualified, if they provide justification for a lower amount of matching funds, however, applicants should note that cost sharing is an element considered in Evaluation Criterion d. Project Costs of the FFO. As per section 6403(b)(2) of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000, the NOAA Administrator may waive all or part of the matching requirement if the Administrator determines that the project meets the following two requirements: (1) No reasonable means are available through which an applicant can meet the matching requirement; and (2) The probable benefit of such project outweighs the public interest in such matching requirement. In the case of a waiver request, the applicant must provide a detailed justification at the time the proposal is submitted explaining the need for the waiver including attempts to obtain sources of matching funds, how the benefit of the project outweighs the public interest in providing match, and any other extenuating circumstances preventing the availability of match. Notwithstanding any other provisions herein, and in accordance with 48 U.S.C. 1469a(d), the Program shall waive any requirement for local matching funds for any project under $200,000 (including in-kind contribution) to the governments of Insular Areas, defined as the jurisdictions of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Eligible applicants choosing to apply 48 U.S.C. 1469a(d) must include a letter requesting a waiver that demonstrates that their project meets the requirements of 48 U.S.C. 1469a(d).

Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this Program are subject to Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs. Any applicant submitting an application for funding is required to complete item 16 on SF-424 regarding clearance by the State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) established as a result of EO 12372. http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.

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10. Projects To Improve or Amend Coral Reef Fishery Management Plans

Summary Description: The NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program/Projects to Improve or Amend Coral Reef Fishery Management Plans (CRFMPGP) provides funding to the Regional Fishery Management Councils for projects to conserve and manage coral reef fisheries, as authorized under the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000. Projects funded through the CRFMPGP are for activities that: (1) Provide better scientific information on the status of coral reef fisheries resources, critical habitats of importance to coral reef fishes, and the impacts of fishing on these species and habitats; (2) identify new management approaches that protect coral reef biodiversity and ecosystem function through regulation of fishing and other extractive uses; and (3) incorporate conservation and sustainable management measures into existing or new Federal fishery management plans for coral reef species. Proposals selected for funding through this solicitation will be implemented through a Cooperative Agreement. The role of NOAA in the CRFMPGP is to help identify potential projects that reduce impacts of fishing on coral reef ecosystems, strengthen the development and implementation of the projects, and assist in coordination of these efforts with Federal, state, territory or commonwealth management authorities and various coral reef user groups. Funding up to $1,050,000 is expected to be available for CRFMPGP Cooperative Agreements in FY 2009. These funds will be divided equally among the Atlantic and Pacific to maintain the geographic split required by the Act. The NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program anticipates that awards will range from $175,000- $525,000.

Funding Availability: This solicitation announces that approximately $1,050,000 is expected to be available for cooperative agreements in support of coral reef conservation activities for Projects to Improve or Amend Coral Reef Fishery Management Plans (CRFMPGP) in FY 2009. Actual funding availability for this program is contingent upon Fiscal Year 2009 Congressional appropriations. The NOAA Coral reef Conservation Program anticipates that typical project awards will range from about $175,000 to $525,000; NOAA will not accept proposals for over $525,000 under this solicitation. Equal funding will be provided to the Atlantic and Pacific, up to a maximum of $525,000 for activities in the Western Pacific, and a maximum of $525,000 for activities in the South Atlantic, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean. The exact amount of funds that may be awarded will be determined in pre-award negotiations between the applicant and NOAA representatives. Activities approved by NOAA will be awarded as new cooperative agreements through the NMFS Office of Habitat Conservation (HC). The number of awards made as a result of this solicitation will depend on the number of eligible applications received, the amount of funds requested for each project, the merit and ranking of the proposals, and the amount of funds made available to the Program by Congress. The funds have not yet been appropriated for this program, and there is no guarantee that sufficient funds will be available to make awards for all qualified projects. Publication of this notice does not oblige NOAA to award any specific project or to obligate any available funds.

Statutory Authority: Authority for the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program is provided by Section 6403 (Coral Reef Conservation Program) of the Coral Reef Conservation Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 6401 et seq.).

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.441, Regional Fishery Management Councils.

Application Deadline: Proposals must be received by 5 p.m. eastern time on November 3, 2008.

Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications must be submitted through www.grants.gov, unless an applicant does not have Internet access. In that case, hard copies with original signatures may be sent to: Jennifer Koss, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program, NOAA Fisheries, Office of Habitat Conservation (F/HC1), 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. ATTN: CRCGP Project Applications. Electronic copies of the project narrative and budget narrative are requested when submitting by mail (liz.fairey@noaa.gov), however E-mail applications submitted without a mailed hard copy with appropriate postal date stamp will not be accepted.

Information Contacts: Technical point of contact for NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program/Projects to Improve or Amend Coral Reef Fishery Management Plans Grants Program is Jennifer Koss, 301-713-3459, extension 195 or E-mail at Jennifer.Koss@noaa.gov.

Eligibility: Eligible applicants are limited to the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, and the Caribbean Fishery Management Council.

Cost Sharing Requirements: No cost sharing or matching is required under this program. The Administrator has waived the matching requirement for the Fishery Management Councils as discussed in Section VII of the Coral Reef Conservation Grant Program Implementation Guidelines ( Federal Register Vol. 67, No. 76, page 19396, Friday, April 19, 2002). This waiver is based on the fact that the Councils are funded solely by awards from the U.S. Federal Government, and therefore, do not have the ability to generate matching funds.

Intergovernmental Review: Applications under this CRFMPGP are subject to Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs. Specific information regarding Intergovernmental Review can be found above in Section IV. Application and Submission Information, D. Intergovernmental Review of the FFO.

11. Protected Species Cooperative Conservation

Summary Description: States play an essential role in the conservation and recovery of endangered and threatened species. Protected species under the National Marine Fisheries Service's (NMFS) jurisdiction may spend all or a part of their life-cycles in state waters, and success in conserving these species will depend in large part on working cooperatively with State agencies. The NMFS is authorized to provide Federal assistance to eligible States to support the development of conservation programs for marine and anadromous species that reside within that State. This assistance, provided in the form of grants through the Protected Species Cooperative Conservation program, can be used to support conservation of endangered, threatened, and candidate species, as well as post-delisting monitoring of recovered species. Funded activities may include development and implementation of management plans, scientific research, and public education and outreach; projects should address priority actions identified in either an ESA Recovery Plan or a State's ESA section 6 conservation program. Projects focusing on listed Pacific salmon will not be considered for funding under this grant program; such projects may be funded through the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund. Any State agency that has entered into an agreement with the NMFS pursuant to section 6(c) of the ESA is eligible to apply to this grant program. This document describes how to submit proposals for funding in fiscal year (FY) 2009 and how NMFS will

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determine which proposals will be funded; the document should be read in its entirety, as information may have changed from the previous year.

Funding Availability: This solicitation announces that a minimum of $330K and a maximum of $780K may be available for distribution under the FY 2009 PSCC program, in award amounts to be determined by the proposals and available funds; actual funding availability for this program is contingent upon Fiscal Year 2009 Congressional appropriations. As funds have not yet been appropriated for this program, there is no guarantee that sufficient funds will be available to make awards for all qualified projects. Publication of this notice does not oblige NOAA to award any specific grant proposal or to obligate any available funds. There is no set minimum or maximum amount, within the available funding, for any award. There is also no limit on the number of applications that can be submitted by the same applicant. Multiple applications submitted by the same applicant must clearly identify distinct projects, and single applications should not include multiple, unrelated projects. Project proposals accepted for funding with a project period over one year do not have to compete for the additional years of funding. However, funding for the additional years is contingent upon the availability of funds and satisfactory performance and is at the sole discretion of the agency.

Statutory Authority: 16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.; 1535.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.472, Unallied Science Program.

Application Deadline: Proposals submitted through Grants.gov must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on September 17, 2008; proposals submitted by mail must be postmarked by September 17, 2008.

Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications must be submitted through www.grants.gov, unless an applicant does not have Internet access. In that case, 3 hard copies with original signatures may be sent to: NMFS Office of Protected Resources, Attn: Lisa Manning, 1315 East-West Highway, SSMC3, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Paper applications should not be bound in any manner.

Information Contacts: If you have any questions regarding this proposal solicitation, please contact Lisa Manning at the NOAA/NMFS/Office of Protected Resources, Endangered Species Division, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, by phone at 301-713-1401, or by E-mail at Lisa.Manning@noaa.gov. You may also contact one of the following people in your region for further guidance: Karla Reece, Southeast Regional Office, Protected Resources Division (Karla.Reece@noaa.gov, 727-824-5312); Amanda Johnson, Northeast Regional Office, Protected Resources Division (Amanda.Johnson@noaa.gov, 978-281-9300 x6513); Jayne LeFors, Pacific Islands Regional Office, Protected Resources Division (Jayne.LeFors@noaa.gov, 808-944-2277); Scott Rumsey, Northwest Regional Office, Fish and Wildlife Administrator (Scott.Rumsey@noaa.gov, 503- 872-2791).

Eligibility: Eligible applicants are state agencies that have entered into an agreement with NMFS pursuant to section 6(c) of the ESA. The terms "state" and "state agency" are used as defined in section 3 of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1532). Currently eligible state agencies are from the following states: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Washington. Any state agency that enters into a section 6(c) agreement with NMFS prior to the application deadline (September 17, 2008) is also eligible to apply. States may apply for funding to conduct work on federally listed species that are included in their ESA section 6 agreement and any species that has become a candidate species by the grant application deadline. States may not apply for funding to conduct work on federally listed species that are not covered in their ESA section 6 agreement unless said species is added to the agreement by the grant application deadline. Federal agencies or institutions are not eligible to receive Federal assistance under this notice. In addition, NOAA and NMFS employees shall not provide assistance in writing applications, write letters of support for any application, or otherwise confer any unfair advantage on a particular application. However, for activities involving collaboration with current NMFS programs, NMFS employees can write a letter verifying that they are collaborating with the project.

Cost Sharing Requirements: In accordance with section 6(d) of the ESA, all proposals submitted must include a minimum non-Federal cost share of 25 percent of the total budget if the proposal involves a single state. If a proposal involves collaboration of two or more states, the minimum non-Federal cost share decreases to 10 percent of the total project budget. The project proposal and budget should reflect the work and responsibilities to be carried out by each of the cooperating states. Pursuant to Public Law 95-134, Title V, section 501 (1977), as amended (48 U.S.C. 1469a) the following Insular Areas are exempt from this matching requirement: American Samoa, Guam, the Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The non-Federal cost share should be identified in the project budget (and on the SF-424A) and may include in- kind contributions according to the regulations at 15 CFR part 24.

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

12. Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Program (FY 2009)

Summary Description: The Saltonstall-Kennedy Act established a fund (known as the S-K fund) that the Secretary of Commerce uses to provide grants or cooperative agreements for fisheries research and development projects addressing aspects of U.S. fisheries, including, but not limited to, harvesting, processing, marketing, and associated infrastructures. U.S. fisheries include any fishery, commercial or recreational, that is, or may be, engaged in by citizens or nationals of the United States, or citizens of the Northern Mariana Islands (NMI), the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia.

Funding Availability: Funding is contingent upon availability of Federal allocations. The S-K program has sought funding for $5 million in grant awards. We anticipate awarding 20-25 grants of approximately $100,000 to $250,000 each. Applicants are hereby given notice that funds have not yet been allocated for this program. In no event will NOAA or the Department of Commerce be responsible for proposal preparation costs if this program fails to receive funding or is cancelled because of other agency priorities. Publication of this notice does not obligate NOAA to award any specific project or to obligate any available funds. You should not initiate your project in expectation of Federal funding until you receive a grant award document signed by an authorized NOAA official. If one incurs any costs prior to receiving an award agreement signed by an authorized NOAA official, one would do so solely at one's own risk of these costs not being included under the award. Recipients and subrecipients are subject to all Federal laws and agency policies, regulations and procedures applicable to Federal financial assistance awards.

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Statutory Authority: Authority for the Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Program is provided under the Saltonstall-Kennedy Act (S-K Act), as amended (15 U.S.C. 713c-3).

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.427, Fisheries Development and Utilization Research and Development Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program.

Application Deadline: Applications must be received by 5 p.m., Eastern Time on October 1, 2008. Applications received after the deadline will be rejected/returned to the sender without further consideration. No facsimile or electronic mail applications will be accepted.

Address for Submitting Proposals: Applications must be submitted through www.grants.gov, unless an applicant does not have Internet access. In that case, hard copies with original signatures may be sent to: Mr. Steve Aguzin, S-K Program Manager, NOAA/NMFS (F/MB5), 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13134, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3282.

Information Contacts: The point of contact is: Steve Aguzin, S-K Program Manager, NOAA/NMFS (F/MB5), 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13134, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3282; or by Phone at (301) 713-2358 ext. 215, or fax at (301) 713- 1306, or via E-mail at Stephen.Aguzin@noaa.gov.

Eligibility: You are eligible to apply for a grant or a cooperative agreement under the Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Program if: 1. You are a citizen or national of the United States; 2. You are a citizen of the Northern Mariana Islands (NMI), or an individual who qualifies as such under section 8 of the Schedule on Transitional Matters attached to the constitution of the NMI; 3. You are a citizen of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Republic of Palau, or the Federated States of Micronesia; or 4. You represent a corporation, partnership, association, or other non-Federal entity, non-profit or otherwise (including Indian tribes), that is based in the United States or NMI, within the meaning of section 2 of the Shipping Act, 1916, as amended (46 U.S.C. app. 802). We support cultural and gender diversity in our programs and encourage women and minority individuals and groups to submit applications. Furthermore, we recognize the interest of the Secretaries of Commerce and Interior in defining appropriate fisheries policies and programs that meet the needs of the U.S. insular areas, so we also encourage applications from individuals, government entities, and businesses in U.S. insular areas. We are strongly committed to broadening the participation of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), which include Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities, in our programs, including S-K. Therefore, we encourage all applicants to include meaningful participation of MSIs. We encourage applications from members of the fishing community, and applications that involve fishing community cooperation and participation. We will consider the extent of fishing community involvement when evaluating the potential benefit of funding a proposal. You are not eligible to submit an application under this program if you are an employee of any Federal agency; a Fishery Management Council; or an employee of a Council. However, Council members who are not Federal employees can submit an application to the S-K Program.

Cost Sharing Requirements: We are requiring cost sharing in order to leverage the limited funds available for this program and to encourage partnerships among government, industry, and academia to address the needs of fishing communities. You must provide a minimum cost share of 10 percent of total project costs, but your cost share must not exceed 50 percent of total costs.

Intergovernmental Review: Applications submitted by state and local governments are subject to the provisions of Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." Any applicant submitting an application for funding is required to complete item 16 on SF-424 regarding clearance by the State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) established as a result of EO 12372. To find out about and comply with a State's process under EO 12372, the names, addresses and phone numbers of participating SPOCs are listed in the Office of Management and Budget's home page at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html.

13. Prescott 2009

Summary Description: The Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program of the National Marine Fisheries Service is charged under the Marine Mammal Protection Act with facilitating the collection and dissemination of reference data on stranded marine mammals and health trends of marine mammal populations in the wild. Through cooperation with NMFS Regional Coordinators, local organizations and state and local government officials respond to and collect valuable data from stranded marine mammals as participants in the national Marine Mammal Stranding Network. The John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program is conducted by NOAA to provide Federal assistance to eligible members of the Stranding Network to: (1) Support basic needs of organizations for response, treatment, and data collection from living and dead stranded marine mammals; (2) fund scientific research objectives designed to answer questions about marine mammal strandings, health, or rehabilitation techniques utilizing data from living and dead stranded marine mammals; and, (3) support facility operations directly related to the recovery or treatment of stranded marine mammals and collection of data from living or dead stranded marine mammals.

Funding Availability: This solicitation announces that approximately $4M may be available for distribution under the FY 2009 annual competitive Prescott Program. Actual funding availability for this program is contingent upon FY 2009 Congressional appropriations. Applicants are hereby given notice that these funds have not yet been appropriated for this program, and therefore exact dollar amounts cannot be given. There is no guarantee that sufficient funds will be available to make awards for all qualified projects. The maximum Federal award for each grant cannot exceed $100,000, as stated in the legislative language (16 U.S.C. 1421f-1). Funds will be set aside from the annual appropriation to provide for emergency assistance awards to eligible stranding network participants. These emergency funds will be available until expended. There is no limit on the number of proposals that can be submitted by the same stranding network participant during the 2009 competitive grant cycle. However, since there are insufficient funds to award financial assistance to every member of the network, organizations will receive no more than two awards per year as part of the competitive program. The two awards must be for projects that are clearly separate in their objectives, goals, and budget requests and must be successful in the competitive review process. The two projects should be completely independent (i.e., you will be able to carry out either proposal even if the other does not receive funding). In addition, eligible researchers applying as Principal Investigators, but not independently authorized under the MMPA Section 112(c), the MMPA Section 109(h) (50 CFR 216.22), or the National Contingency Plan for Response

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to Marine Mammal Unusual Mortality Events, can receive no more than one award per year as part of the competitive cycle.

Authorized stranding network participants and researchers may be identified as Co-Investigators or collaborators o