Educational Partnership Program (11.481)

Program

11.481 Educational Partnership Program

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Commerce
Office: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Authorization

Executive Order 13256, 13230, 13021 and 13339, 33 U.S.C 893 a(a); Executive Order 13256, 13230, 13021 and 13339, 15 U.S.C 1540.

Program Number

11.481

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To continue development of a program aimed at increasing education and research partnerships between NOAA and Minority Serving Institutions. Partnerships are achieved through collaboration with NOAA Cooperative Science Centers in atmospheric, oceanic, environmental sciences, environmental technology, and remote sensing. The Environmental Entrepreneurship Program supports restoration projects in environmentally depleted zones and program development in NOAA-related sciences at minority serving institutions.

Types of Assistance

PROJECT GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

Funds may be used to support a distinguished professor, research, development programs and students undertaking course work and/or research in NOAA related sciences at minority serving institutions.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Applicants are defined as qualified minority serving institutions based on the 2003 United States Department of Education definition of minority serving institutions. Non-minority institutions may also participate in this program when partnered with a minority serving institution. Institutions applying to be considered a designated Cooperative Science Center in atmospheric, oceanic and environmental sciences, environmental technology and remote sensing must have a graduate program in the respective category.

Beneficiary Eligibility

The benefits to the Nation are an increased number of academic institutions capable of providing services and products in support of the agency's mission to describe and predict changes in the environment, and to conserve and manage the nation's coastal and marine resources to ensure sustainable economic opportunities. Collaboration among NOAA and academic institutions will not only increase the number of trained professionals in the NOAA related sciences, it will also lead to a larger number of institutions participating in collaborative research and co-management of the nation's natural resources with State, local and tribal governments.

Credentials/Documentation

Applicants are required to satisfy all DoC/NOAA standards and regulations, including routine and special terms and conditions, for financial assistance programs application and conduct. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-21 for educational institutions. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Submission of an application package which includes the Standard Form SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance, SF-424A Budget Information Non-Construction Programs, SF-424B Assurances Non-Construction Programs, statement of work, budget and supporting details, and CD-511 Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters, Drug Free Workplace Requirements, and Lobbying must be used when applying for Federal funds. This program is subject to the provisions of 15 CFR Part 14.

Award Procedure

Awards are made on the basis of proposal evaluation, technical review and administrative review.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Approval time is anticipated to range from 90 to 150 days, which includes processing of the award through NOAA Education, NOAA and DoC financial assistance functions.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

Cooperative activities are generally approved on an annual fiscal year basis, but may be continued for up to five years, subject to approved time frame, program development plan, satisfactory progress, and availability of funds.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

From one to five years with funding approved annually. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: lump sum.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Program reports are not applicable. Cash reports are not applicable. Periodic progress and financial reports are required. However, the reporting frequency may be changed to be more or less frequent progress reports should summarize work accomplished and explain situations where expected work has not been completed. Financial reports must indicate use of funds during the semi-annual period. Final reports are due ninety days after expiration of the award. Expenditure reports are not applicable. Performance monitoring is not applicable.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. Recipients will be subject to the provisions of the Single Audit Act Amendments of l996 and revised OMB Circular A-133, "Audits of States and Local Governments and Nonprofit Organizations".

Records

Financial records and support documents and all other records, i.e., property, performance, work products, patents etc. pertinent to the agreement shall be maintained for a period of three years from the date on which the final expenditure report is submitted.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2011: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

13-1450-0-1-306.

Obligations

(Project Grants) FY 08 $12,219,165; FY 09 est $14,900,000; FY 10 est $14,400,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

No Data Available.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

For cost principles, see OMB Circular No. A-21, "Cost Principles for Educational Institutions". For grants administration requirements, see 15 CFR Part 14, "Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Nonprofit Organizations".

Related Programs

Not Applicable.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Jacqueline Rousseau National Oceanic And Atmospheric Association, Office of Education, Educational Partnership Program
1315 East-West Highway, SSMC 3, Room 10600., Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 Phone: (301) 713-9437

Web Site Address

http://www.epp.noaa.gov.

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2011: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Proposals are subject to a review process taking into consideration the applicant(s) Performance Plan, research plans, scientific merit, investigator's qualifications, cost and available funds. Proposals must undergo a rigorous technical review and comply with all OMB, DoC and NOAA grant policies and procedures. Specific information about the selection process will be included in the solicitation.