[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 14 (Wednesday, January 22, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3013-3015]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-1339]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[Docket No. 001214351-3009-04]
Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program; Financial Assistance for
Graduate Students
AGENCY: National Ocean Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is
announcing funding availability for graduate students pursuing masters
or doctoral level degrees in oceanography, marine biology, or maritime
archaeology through the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program and is
inviting applications for such scholarships. The intent of this program
is to recognize outstanding scholarship and encourage independent
graduate level research in the above mentioned fields.
DATES: Applications must be received by March 10, 2003 no later than 5
p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Scholarship awards will be announced in
July 2003.
ADDRESSES: Applications should be sent to the Dr. Nancy Foster
Scholarship Program, Attention: Office of the Assistant Administrator,
13th Floor, National Ocean Service, 1305 East-West Highway, Silver
Spring, MD 20910. Information on the scholarship program may be
obtained from the Web site: http://fosterscholars.noaa.gov
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program,
Office of the Assistant Administrator, 13th Floor, National Ocean
Service, 1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301-713-
3074).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority: The Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program is authorized
at 16 U.S.C. 1445c-1 to recognize outstanding scholarship in
oceanography, marine biology, or maritime archaeology, particularly by
women and members of minority groups, and encourage independent
graduate-level research through financial support of graduate studies
in such fields.
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance: This program is listed
under CFDA 11.460, titled Special Oceanic and Atmospheric
Projects.
Program Description: The Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program
provides support for independent graduate-level studies in
oceanography, marine biology, or maritime archaeology, particularly by
women and members of minority groups. Gender and minority status is not
considered when selecting award recipients. However, special outreach
efforts are employed to solicit applications from women and minorities.
Scholarship selections are based on financial need, academic
excellence, recommendations, and research and career goals. The program
is administered through NOAA's National Ocean Service and is funded
annually with 1% of the amount appropriated each fiscal year to carry
out the National Marine Sanctuaries Act.
Funding Availability: For the 2003-2004 academic year, Dr. Nancy
Foster Scholarships may provide, subject to appropriations, support of
up to $32,000 per student: a 12-month stipend of $20,000 in addition to
a tuition allowance of up to $12,000. A maximum of $64,000 may be
provided to masters students (up to two years of support) and up to
$128,000 may be provided to doctoral students (up to four years of
support). For the 2003-2004 academic year, NOAA expects to award up to
five scholarships.
The annual stipend will be paid directly to the scholar. The
stipend is intended to defray cost-of-living expenses, and not to
support research costs. NOAA anticipates the student and their faculty
advisor will secure research funds independent of the scholarship.
Tuition and academic fees will be negotiated between the academic
institution and the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship program manager at
NOAA prior to the receipt of funds. This negotiation is intended to
leverage scholarship funds and enhance opportunities for scholarship
recipients. In those instances in which tuition and academic fees are
not totally waived by the academic institution, the tuition allowance
in an amount equal to the tuition and fees not waived (but not to
exceed $12,000) will be paid directly to the scholar for remittance to
the academic institution. If tuition and fees are reduced or waived by
the academic institution, then that portion of the
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tuition allowance not needed (i.e., up to $12,000 in the case of a
total waiver) will be retained by NOAA for future scholarships. No
money will be paid directly to the student from the tuition allowance
for purposes other than the payment of tuition and fees.
Specific instructions regarding the disbursement, management, and
reporting requirements for all stipend and tuition allowance payments
will be provided to the scholarship recipients upon selection for the
award. The awarding of funds beyond the first year will be based on
availability of funds, continued eligibility of the student, periodic
certification by the academic institution that adequate academic
progress is being made, and compliance with applicable reporting
requirements. At its discretion, each academic institution may
supplement a scholar's stipend from institutional funds in accordance
with the supplementation policy of the institution.
Matching Requirements: There are no matching requirements for an
award.
Type of Funding Instrument: Grant.
Eligibility Criteria: Only United States citizens currently
pursuing or intending to pursue a masters or doctoral level degree in
oceanography, marine biology, or maritime archaeology, including the
curation, preservation, and display of maritime artifacts, are eligible
for an award under this scholarship program. Prospective scholars do
not need to be enrolled, but must be admitted to a graduate-level
program in order to apply for this scholarship. Funds will not be
released until the applicant provides certification (from the student's
institution) supporting the student's acceptance to a graduate program.
Studies must be conducted on a full-time basis. Recipients of
scholarship awards may be employed at the time of the award if it is a
requirement of their degree program or directly related to their
research effort. Other forms of employment will not be allowed and
scholars will be required to submit a letter certifying that they are
in compliance with this requirement. Eligibility must be maintained for
each succeeding year of support and annual reporting requirements, to
be specified at a later date, will apply.
Award Period: This solicitation applies only to applicants whose
studies begin in the fall 2003. Stipends will cover a 12 month period.
Masters students may be supported for up to two years, and doctoral
students for up to four years.
Indirect Costs: No indirect costs will be paid on this award.
Applications: This notice contains all necessary information and
announces a closing date of March 10, 2003 for the submission of
applications. Applications must be received March 10, 2003 no later
than 5:00 Eastern Standard Time. Scholarship awards will be announced
in July 2003.
Applications: Each application must include these following items.
Failure to submit these items exactly as described in each section
below will disqualify the application from consideration.
(I) General Information Sheet
(II) Statement of Intent
(III) Institute Certification or Letter of Acceptance (for those
applicants who are currently enrolled in a graduate program for which
support is requested, or who have received acceptance for fall 2003
enrollment in a graduate program for which support is requested)
(IV) Transcripts
(V) Three Letters of Recommendation
(VI) Declaration
I. General Information Sheet
Personal Data: Provide your full name, country of citizenship,
current address, permanent address, and home and work telephone
numbers. If you can be reached by fax or e-mail, include that
information. Optional--for statistical collection purposes only:
Indicate your gender, and race or ethnicity.
Degree Sought: State your proposed field of study (oceanography,
marine biology or maritime archaeology) and degree type you are seeking
(e.g., M.S., M.A., Ph.D). Include the month and year you expect the
degree to be awarded. State the name and location of your institution.
Education: List the academic degrees you have received, or expect
to receive by the start of your proposed graduate studies for this
program, including the date and institution.
Statement of Financial Need: State the estimated amount needed for
tuition and fees. List all resources you have available to assist you
in your graduate studies (e.g., grants, student loans, scholarships,
personal funds). You must be specific. List all resources by date and
amount received. Indicate whether the funding source will continue
throughout the 2003-2004 school year. Also indicate any work
requirements associated with these resources.
II. Statement of Intent
The Statement of Intent is a self-description of your academic,
research, and career goals, and how your proposed course of study or
research will help you achieve these goals but more importantly, this
is your opportunity to present yourself, your beliefs, and your
aspirations. Include any background information you believe is
pertinent, and provide insight into why you have chosen the goals you
are pursuing. This statement should not be a research proposal or
scientific abstract. This statement will be used to evaluate you as an
individual, not necessarily as a scientist, and your motivation for
applying for this scholarship. This statement should demonstrate your
organizational, analytical, and written communication skills. The
Statement of Intent should be typewritten , single-spaced on a blank
sheet of paper, and should not exceed one page in length. Statements
longer than one page will not be accepted and will result in the
application being disqualified.
III. Institute Certification
A letter from the applicant's institution certifying that the
student is enrolled or has been accepted to a graduate program must be
submitted with the application. The letter should consist of the
following information on school letterhead and be signed by a school
official: Name and location of the academic institution, the school and
department that you currently are attending or plan to attend, and the
month and year your studies will begin if you are not currently
enrolled. If you have a graduate advisor, list his/her name, address,
telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail address, if available, in the
Institute Certification portion of your application. Current
transcripts will not be accepted in lieu of Institute Certification.
Failure to include the Institute Certification specifically as
indicated above will result in the application being disqualified.
IV. Transcripts
Provide transcripts for all previous university/college-level
studies. Photocopied transcripts are acceptable. Transcripts must be
included with all other application materials. Those mailed separately
will not be accepted. Failure to include transcripts from all previous
university/college-level studies will result in the application being
disqualified.
V. Three Letters of Recommendation
Each application must include three, but only three, signed letters
of recommendation from individuals who have knowledge of your academic
record, research effort, work and/or life experience. Relevant unpaid
work, such as internships and volunteer efforts, is applicable. If you
have a sponsor or advisor in the program, one of these letters should
be from that individual. Letters of recommendation sent apart
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from the application will not be accepted. Applications without three,
signed letters of recommendation or with more than three letters of
recommendation will result in the application being disqualified.
VI. Declaration
Applicants must certify that all statements and information in
their applications are true and correct by copying the following on a
plain sheet of paper, signing it, and including it in their
application:
I, the undersigned, declare, under penalty of perjury, that all
statements and information in my application are true and correct.
Executed on [insert date].
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Print or Type Name
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Signature
Failure to include this statement, signed by the applicant, will result
in the application being disqualified.
Funding Priorities: The priority of the program is to fund
independent graduate-level studies in oceanography, marine biology, or
maritime archaeology with scholarships distributed by disciplines,
institutions and geography, and by the degree type and level being
sought, with selections within distributions based on financial need,
the potential for success in a graduate studies program, and the
potential for achieving research and career goals.
Evaluation Criteria: The evaluation criteria and their weights are
as follows: (a) Financial need (40%); (b) academic record (20%); (c)
recommendations (18%); (d) organizational, analytical, and written
communication skills based on statement of intent (15%); and (e)
research and career goals and objectives as described in your statement
of intent (7%).
Selection Procedures: An advisory panel of NOAA experts will review
applications based on the evaluation criteria and provide a numerical
score for each. The Program Manager will rank the applications based on
these scores. Applications falling within the top 10 percent will be
reviewed by a second panel of federal experts from which scholarship
recipients will be chosen. The second panel will consider the following
criteria: Availability of funds, distribution of awards across
disciplines, institutions and geography, the degree type and level
being sought, and the statement of intent. Therefore, scholarship
awards will not necessarily be made to the applicants receiving the
highest scores. The panel will arrive at a consensus decision for
selection of scholarship recipients.
Announcement of Awards: The names, academic institutions, degrees
being sought, research plans, and biographical information of the
scholarship awardees will be posted on NOAA's National Ocean Service
Web site and may be published in marketing materials developed to
advertise the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program.
Unsuccessful Applicants: The applications of unsuccessful
applicants will be destroyed following the selection of the recipients.
Other Requirements: The Department of Commerce Pre-Award
Notification Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements
contained in the Federal Register notice of October 1, 2001 (66 FR
49917) as amended by the Federal Register Notice published on October
30, 2002 (67 FR 66109) is applicable to this solicitation.
Classification: This document contains collection-of-information
requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). This
application has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) under control number 0648-0432. Public reporting burden for this
collection of information is 4.5 hours for an application and 45
minutes per letter of recommendation. These estimates include the time
for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering
and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information. Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to
a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection-of-information
subject to the PRA, unless that collection displays a currently valid
OMB control number.
Applications under this program are not subject to Executive Order
12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.
This action has been determined to be not significant for purposes
of Executive Order 12866.
Because notice and comment are not required under 5 U.S.C. 553, or
any other law, for notices relating to public property, loans, grants,
benefits or contracts, a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, 5 U.S.C. 601
et. seq. is not required and has not been prepared for this notice.
Dated: January 16, 2003.
Alan Neuschatz,
Associate Assistant Administrator for Management, National Ocean
Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S.
Department of Commerce.
[FR Doc. 03-1339 Filed 1-21-03; 8:45 am]
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