FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
The Alaskan Coastal Marine Institute (CMI), established by cooperative
agreement among the University of Alaska, the State of Alaska and the
Minerals Management Service (MMS), is pleased to announce a funding
opportunity for Federal Fiscal Year 1999. The purpose of the CMI is to
provide matching MMS funding for research in Alaska on coastal, marine and
human environmental issues pertaining to offshore minerals exploration and
extraction. Up to one million dollars per year are available as matching
(co-funding) for projects. Researchers must secure at least one dollar of
non-federal matching funds for every dollar from the CMI. Acceptable
non-federal match includes funding from university, municipal, state or
private sources. The match may also be in-kind, such as needed services. No
limit is set on the dollar amount for each project, but the intent of the
CMI is to fund several smaller projects rather than fewer large ones.
Projects may be up to three years in duration.
Projects should address one or more of the Framework Issues focus on an
area of current interest to MMS (currently the Beaufort Sea and Cook
Inlet/Shelikof Strait), or be generally applicable regardless of geographic
area (e.g., laboratory studies). At least one researcher on each project
must be associated with the University of Alaska. However, the University
researcher is not required to be the scientific lead PI. Please contact CMI
if you need help in making this linkage.
FRAMEWORK ISSUES
o Studies for better understanding marine, coastal or human environments
affected or potentially affected by offshore oil and gas or other mineral
exploration and extraction on the outer continental shelf;
o Modeling studies of environmental, social, economic, or cultural
processes for better predictive capabilities and for defining information
needs;
o Experimental studies for better understanding of environmental processes,
or the causes and effects of OCS activities;
o Projects which design or establish mechanisms or protocols for sharing
data or information regarding marine or coastal resources, or human
activities to support prudent management of oil, gas and marine mineral
resources; and
o Synthesis studies of background information.
In general, studies that will help managers and regulators make better
decisions about persistent issues relating to offshore oil and gas and
other marine minerals are desirable. Examples of specific MMS information
needs are detailed in the MMS Alaska OCS Region's Environmental Studies
Strategic Plan (ESSP) and be viewed at the Alaska Region web site
(http://www.mms.gov/omm/alaska/ess/esshome.html). Hard copy of the ESSP can
be viewed at the CMI office in Fairbanks and at the MMS office in
Anchorage. Offerers are encouraged to review this plan, especially Part B.
"Descriptions of Proposed Studies" for general and specific examples of
needed information. However, proposals are not limited to the needs
described in the ESSP. If you have research interests that fall outside
these specific areas but still believe the CMI program may want to fund
your work, please contact CMI before proceeding. Such work will have a
lower priority and will be considered on a case by case basis.
Inclusion of graduate or undergraduate students is encouraged as is
involvement of local residents and communication of results with the
general public. Projects may include continuing education of academic and
regulatory communities on topics relating to the Framework Issues through
development of short courses, workshops and seminars. Graduate students may
propose projects through the sponsorship of a faculty member.
EVALUATION
LOIs will be evaluated on the quality and clarity of the formulated
question, the adequacy of the execution, and the overall relevance of the
project to CMI framework issues. Applicants will be notified in early
November 1998; full proposals will be due in early December 1998. Final
decisions will be made on proposals in February 1999, and funds should be
available by May 1999.
LOI CONTENT
Each LOI should include the following sections; the sections identified
with an asterisk (*) should total no more than 5 pages of single spaced
text.
- Cover page (institutional, signed)
- *Abstract
- *Background and Relevance to at least one specific Framework Issue
- *Objectives/Hypotheses
- *Methods/Analyses
- *Logistics
- References
- Budget
- Time-line, including Deliverables
- CV (maximum of 2 pages) for each PI and co-PI
Using references will help keep the LOI short. Referencing or otherwise
identifying ongoing or previous projects that bear on the proposed work is
recommended. Please pay attention to the Framework Issues and other factors
listed as important to the selection process. Failure to do so may waste
your time and jeopardize an otherwise acceptable project.
Deliverables and logistics, including quarterly (beginning of January,
April, July, and October), annual (due in late May) and final reports
should be shown on the timeline. A timeline template is available on
request via email or hardcopy from the CMI. Please note that a draft final
report will be due approximately three months before submission of the
final report for editorial and scientific review.
The logistics section should briefly describe fieldwork, lab analysis,
travel, report development, etc. that are planned for the life of the
project. Greater project and budget detail will be required if your project
is selected to be developed as a full proposal.
BUDGET
The LOI budget should be a relatively accurate estimate of expected project
costs in each of the following general categories. It is understood that
the final dollar amount may change with final proposal preparation.
Personnel: All personnel involved in the project, by name or job title, and
time commitment for each.
Travel: Number of trips to each destination and number of people traveling.
If you are not located in Fairbanks, please include travel for one day to a
winter Technical Steering Committee meeting in Fairbanks (Feb) where you
will be expected to present a status report on your project.
Services: Major categories. Subcontracts will show up as a line item here.
A separate budget page is required for each subcontractor. Contact the CMI
for details.
Supplies: Major categories, under $2500.
Equipment: Number of individual items and cost per item. MMS prefers that
equipment be purchased or provided as a part of the required match;
otherwise it may become MMS property.
Tuition: Total.
Indirect cost: Calculate at current rate. Subcontracts will be assessed
indirect costs on the first $25K. All CMI funds that leave UA should be
subcontracts. This area can be complex; please contact CMI or the SFOS
Proposal Officer for assistance.
Budget justification: Labeled and explain items in the text or with the
budget.
If you are not sure how to interpret the above budget items, please contact
the SFOS Proposal Officer at 474-7707, or the SFOS Fiscal Officer at
474-7928 for clarification. An example LOI budget page is available via
email or hardcopy from the CMI.
Unless a major revision is recommended during review, increases in the
final budget for the project over that presented with the LOI will require
a detailed explanation. Substantial budget
increases from LOI to full proposal may jeopardize project acceptance.
Non-federal matching funds must be clearly identifiable and auditable.
Please check with the SFOS Proposal Officer on all intended match to be
sure it meets requirements. When in doubt, please inquire.
Please submit letters of intent to:
University of Alaska Coastal Marine Institute
School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks AK 99775-7220
Mailed submissions must be postmarked by 2 October 1998; manual submissions
must be received by 5:00 PM 2 October 1998. For additional information, assistance, or timeline and budget templates, please contact:
Sue Hills
Phone: (907) 474-5106
Fax: (907) 474-5571
Email: hills [at] ims.alaska.edu
Dave Nebert
Phone: (907) 474-7833
Fax: (907) 474-5815
Email: nebert [at] ims.alaska.edu