Opportunity Information: Apply for NOAA NOS NMS 2015 2004240
Apply for NOAA NOS NMS 2015 2004240
- The Department of Commerce in the environment natural resources science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY15 Nancy Foster Scholarship Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 11.429 Marine Sanctuary Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on Oct 7, 2014 and posted on Oct 7, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 10, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $500,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $196,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Individuals.
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Opportunity Summary:
The FY15 Nancy Foster Scholarship Program is a federal scholarship opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Commerce through NOAA, specifically connected to the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. Its purpose is to fund independent graduate-level study and research in fields tied to ocean and coastal systems, including oceanography, marine biology, and maritime archaeology. The program is broad in scope and explicitly includes related work across science, engineering, social science, and ocean and coastal resource management. While open to all eligible applicants, it particularly encourages applications from women and minorities as part of its commitment to expanding participation in marine and ocean-related careers.
Eligibility is limited to individuals (not universities or organizations) who are U.S. citizens and who are applying to, or have already been accepted into, a graduate program at a U.S. accredited institution. Applicants do not have to be enrolled at the time they submit an application, but they must be formally admitted to a graduate program before they can actually receive an award. Academic performance is a firm requirement: applicants must have at least a 3.3 cumulative GPA to apply, and awardees must maintain a minimum 3.3 cumulative and term GPA for every term throughout the period of support.
The selection process emphasizes both merit and need. Applications are evaluated based on academic excellence, strong letters of recommendation, clearly defined research and career goals, and demonstrated financial need. The program is designed not just to pay for graduate education, but to support scholars as developing professionals who can contribute to NOAA-related science and stewardship over time.
Funding can be significant, depending on appropriations. The scholarship may provide up to $42,000 per student per year, structured as a 12-month stipend of $30,000 plus an education allowance of up to $12,000. In addition, scholars can receive up to $10,000 to support a required or recommended short-term placement called a program collaboration, which lasts about 4 to 6 weeks at a NOAA facility (often within the National Marine Sanctuary System, though other NOAA program offices may also host scholars). This collaboration funding can cover allowable costs such as travel, housing, per diem, laboratory expenses, research vessel support, and consumable supplies needed for the work conducted at the NOAA site. Scholars must provide their own health insurance during the collaboration period.
The program collaboration is a key feature that connects academic research to NOAA’s operational and research environment. For Doctoral scholarship recipients, completing one collaboration is required, and a second collaboration is recommended but not mandatory. For Masters-level scholars, the collaboration is strongly encouraged but not required. Timing expectations are also spelled out: Masters scholars must identify their collaboration opportunity during their first year in the program, while Doctoral scholars must identify theirs within the first two years. In all cases, scholars must obtain approval from the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries before starting the collaboration.
Recipients are also expected to participate in NOAA community activities and professional development elements. A mandatory NOAA Orientation Training is required, planned for late July or early August 2015 at a date and location to be determined. The announcement notes a practical consideration: if awards have not been finalized before the orientation occurs, recipients may need to pay travel or related costs up front as pre-award expenses, with reimbursement after the scholarship funds are issued. In addition, every Foster Scholar must create a 3 to 5 minute video explaining their research in plain language for a general audience, including why the work matters personally and scientifically. The program provides the necessary equipment and support materials for this requirement, including a camera, guidelines, a storyboard framework, and training.
Administratively, this opportunity is listed as a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement mechanism, with an expected four awards and an estimated total program funding level of $500,000. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. The award range is listed with a floor of $42,000 and a ceiling up to $196,000, reflecting the possibility of multi-year support depending on degree track and allowable costs. The opportunity was posted on October 7, 2014, with an application deadline of December 10, 2014, and it is associated with CFDA number 11.429 (Marine Sanctuary Program). The funding opportunity number is NOAA NOS NMS 2015 2004240, and questions about access to the full announcement are directed to the listed NOAA contact, Kate Thompson, in Silver Spring, Maryland.
FY15 Nancy Foster Scholarship Program (NOAA) - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the FY15 Nancy Foster Scholarship Program?
The FY15 Nancy Foster Scholarship Program is a federal scholarship opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Commerce through NOAA, and it is specifically connected to NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. It supports independent graduate-level study and research in areas tied to ocean and coastal systems.
What fields of study does the scholarship support?
The program funds graduate study and research in fields connected to ocean and coastal systems, including (but not limited to) oceanography, marine biology, and maritime archaeology. The announcement also states the program is broad in scope and explicitly includes related work spanning science, engineering, social science, and ocean and coastal resource management.
Who runs and administers this scholarship?
The scholarship is run by the U.S. Department of Commerce through NOAA, and it is tied to NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (part of the National Ocean Service).
Is this opportunity a grant to a university or to an individual student?
Eligibility is limited to individuals. The announcement notes it is not for universities or organizations applying on their own behalf.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must be U.S. citizens and must be applying to, or already accepted into, a graduate program at a U.S. accredited institution. The scholarship is intended for graduate-level applicants (Masters and Doctoral tracks are referenced).
Do I have to be enrolled in graduate school at the time I apply?
No. Applicants do not have to be enrolled when submitting an application, but they must be formally admitted to a graduate program before they can receive an award.
Is there a minimum GPA requirement to apply?
Yes. Applicants must have at least a 3.3 cumulative GPA to apply.
If selected, do I have to maintain a certain GPA during the scholarship?
Yes. Awardees must maintain a minimum 3.3 cumulative GPA and a minimum 3.3 term GPA for every term throughout the period of support.
Does the program encourage applications from particular groups?
Yes. While open to all eligible applicants, the program particularly encourages applications from women and minorities as part of its commitment to expanding participation in marine and ocean-related careers.
What factors are used to evaluate applications?
The selection process emphasizes both merit and need. The announcement highlights evaluation factors including academic excellence, strong letters of recommendation, clearly defined research and career goals, and demonstrated financial need.
How much funding can a scholar receive each year?
Funding may provide up to $42,000 per student per year, depending on appropriations. The annual amount is described as a 12-month stipend of $30,000 plus an education allowance of up to $12,000.
What is included in the $42,000 per year scholarship amount?
The announcement describes the annual support as (1) a 12-month stipend of $30,000 and (2) an education allowance of up to $12,000.
Is there additional funding for a NOAA placement or internship?
Yes. In addition to the scholarship support, scholars can receive up to $10,000 to support a short-term placement called a program collaboration, typically lasting about 4 to 6 weeks at a NOAA facility.
What is the "program collaboration"?
The program collaboration is a short-term placement (about 4 to 6 weeks) at a NOAA facility that connects a scholar's academic research to NOAA's operational and research environment. The announcement notes collaborations are often within the National Marine Sanctuary System, but other NOAA program offices may also host scholars.
Is the program collaboration required?
It depends on degree track. For Doctoral scholarship recipients, completing one collaboration is required and a second collaboration is recommended but not mandatory. For Masters-level scholars, the collaboration is strongly encouraged but not required.
When do scholars need to identify their collaboration opportunity?
Timing expectations are specified. Masters scholars must identify their collaboration opportunity during their first year in the program. Doctoral scholars must identify theirs within the first two years.
Do scholars need approval before starting the collaboration?
Yes. Scholars must obtain approval from the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries before starting the program collaboration.
What costs can the collaboration funding cover?
The collaboration funding (up to $10,000) can cover allowable costs such as travel, housing, per diem, laboratory expenses, research vessel support, and consumable supplies needed for work conducted at the NOAA site.
Are scholars provided health insurance during the collaboration?
No. The announcement states that scholars must provide their own health insurance during the collaboration period.
Is participation in NOAA activities required beyond the research?
Yes. Recipients are expected to participate in NOAA community activities and professional development elements described in the announcement.
Is there a required NOAA Orientation Training?
Yes. A mandatory NOAA Orientation Training is required. It was planned for late July or early August 2015, with the date and location to be determined.
What if the award is not finalized before the NOAA orientation takes place?
The announcement notes that if awards have not been finalized before the orientation occurs, recipients may need to pay travel or related costs up front as pre-award expenses, with reimbursement after the scholarship funds are issued.
Is there a video requirement for scholars?
Yes. Every Foster Scholar must create a 3 to 5 minute video explaining their research in plain language for a general audience, including why the work matters personally and scientifically.
Does the program provide equipment or guidance for the video?
Yes. The program provides the necessary equipment and support materials, including a camera, guidelines, a storyboard framework, and training.
What type of funding mechanism is used for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed as a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement mechanism.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No. The announcement states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.
How many awards are expected and what is the total estimated funding?
The announcement indicates an expected four awards and an estimated total program funding level of $500,000.
What is the award range for this opportunity?
The award range is listed with a floor of $42,000 and a ceiling up to $196,000, reflecting the possibility of multi-year support depending on degree track and allowable costs.
What are the key dates for this funding opportunity?
The opportunity was posted on October 7, 2014, and the application deadline was December 10, 2014.
What is the CFDA number associated with this scholarship?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 11.429 (Marine Sanctuary Program).
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number listed is NOAA NOS NMS 2015 2004240.
Who is the contact person for questions or access to the full announcement?
Questions about access to the full announcement are directed to the listed NOAA contact: Kate Thompson, located in Silver Spring, Maryland.
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| FY2015 Great Lakes Areas of Concern Land Acquisition Grants Apply for NOAA NOS OCRM 2015 2004312 Funding Number: NOAA NOS OCRM 2015 2004312 Agency: Department of Commerce Category: Environment Natural Resources Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $800,000 |
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| Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program FY 2015 Great Lakes Competition Apply for NOAA NOS OCM 2015 2004327 Funding Number: NOAA NOS OCM 2015 2004327 Agency: Department of Commerce Category: Environment Natural Resources Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
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