[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 88 (Friday, May 7, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24588-24590]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-11568]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology
[Docket No. 990309065-9065-01]
RIN 0693-ZA29
Professional Research Experience Program (PREP)
AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of availability of funds for cooperative agreements to
provide fellowships for undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral
students.
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SUMMARY: This notice is to invite proposals from accredited colleges
and universities to participate in the PREP program. Under this
program, NIST provides financial assistance to accredited colleges and
universities to enable those institutions to provide laboratory
experiences and financial assistance to undergraduate, graduate, and
post-doctoral students at the NIST, Boulder Laboratories in Boulder,
Colorado. It is anticipated that two (2) or more awards will be made
contingent on the availability of funds in fiscal year 1999. However,
in fiscal year 1998, 96 PREP fellowships were provided (some students
received more than one fellowship). Approximately $1,375,000 in
fellowships were awarded under this program in 1998.
DATES: Applications must be received at the address below no later than
5 p.m., Mountain Standard Time on June 7, 1999, in order to be
considered for the Fall, 1999 awards. Late applications will be
rejected and returned to the sender.
ADDRESSES: Request application materials from and send applications to:
PREP Program Coordinator, Division 360, National Institute of Standards
and Technology, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80303.
Application materials may also be downloaded from the World Wide
Web at the following address: http://www.boulder.nist.gov/exec/
bdprepo.htm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Phyllis Wright, Program Coordinator,
telephone (303) 497-3244, or e-mail phyllis.wright@nist.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Name and Number: 11.609--
Measurement and Engineering Research and Standards.
Authority: Section 18 of the NIST Act, as amended (15 USC 278g-
1)
Program Description
PREP is designed to provide funding to eligible colleges and
universities to enable them to provide fellowships to undergraduate,
graduate, and post-doctoral students. Through these fellowships,
students will participate in valuable laboratory experiences and will
receive financial assistance. Through this program NIST sponsors will
often become mentors and work collaboratively with the faculty and
advisors at the university to further the success of the student. The
majority of the laboratory research experiences will take place at the
NIST laboratory in Boulder, Colorado.
Fellowships will be awarded to students by the selected colleges
and universities to encourage the growth and progress of science and
engineering in the United States, including the encouragement of women
and minority students seeking to further their professional
development. A major objective is to nurture students considered to be
potential future NIST employees.
Undergraduate and graduate students receiving NIST-PREP fellowships
must be accepted for enrollment for academic credit as full-time
students at an accredited university and remain affiliated with the
university during the term of the fellowship. Fellowships may be
extended after graduation only as long as necessary to complete
research projects started by the student while enrolled as a student
with the university. Post-doctoral students must be affiliated with a
university during the term of the fellowship.
Funding Availability
Applications for cooperative agreements should be for one year,
with options for renewal at the discretion of NIST for up to four
additional years without competition.
Fellowships will be awarded by the cooperating colleges and/or
universities contingent solely upon the availability of NIST program
funds and the selection of students by potential NIST sponsors.
Fellowships will be negotiated between the university and NIST, and can
include the following: undergraduate fellowships can include a stipend
and full tuition payment at the in-state rate; graduate fellowships can
consist of a stipend, tuition assistance, and insurance; and
postgraduate fellowships are negotiated between university and NIST as
part of the cooperative agreement and may consist of a stipend, travel,
moving expenses, and other miscellaneous expenses.
Matching Requirements
Cost sharing and matching is not required under this program.
However, in the interest of furthering the education and development of
future scientists and engineers, applicants are encouraged to cost
share on a voluntary basis. Voluntary costs sharing may include any
eligible costs under the applicable costs principles that meet the test
of reasonableness, allocability, and allowability. Such voluntary cost
sharing may include, but is not limited to, cash contributions for
direct costs, contributions of indirect costs, or in-kind
contributions. While cost sharing is not required, any cost the share
contribution will be taken into consideration in reviewing the
competitiveness of the proposed project budget.
Type of Funding Instrument
NIST expects to award two or more cooperative agreements. This
information is provided in the interest of maximum openness of the
agency's intent. It is not intended to bind the agency to any specific
number of cooperative agreements. As the funding instrument will be a
cooperative agreement, NIST anticipates that it will be substantially
involved with the applicant institution in the implementation and
management of all cooperative agreements awarded. It is anticipated
that before fellowships are offered to students, the students will be
screened by the appropriate officials of the applicant organization and
NIST sponsors. Criteria for such screening will be mutually developed
by NIST and the applicant organization.
Eligibility Criteria
Accedited educational institutions that offer undergraduate and
graduate degrees in physics, chemistry, materials science, mathematics,
computer science, or engineering are eligible to participate in this
program. Students who receive fellowships under the program must be
citizens of the United States or lawfully admitted to the United States
for permanent residence, and show evidence of a 3.0 or higher grade
point average in a curriculum acceptable to the sponsoring educational
institution and NIST. Undergraduate and graduate students must be
enrolled full-time, and post-graduate students must be associated with
the accredited educational institution. Post-doctoral students who
receive fellowships under the program must begin the program within
five years of receiving their doctoral degree. In most cases,
applicants must insure the availability
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of students for on-site work experiences in Boulder, Colorado
concurrently with the university classroom studies.
Award Period
Applicants must propose undergraduate fellowships for one semester
time periods, and graduate and postdoctoral fellowships for one year
time periods. Undergraduate and graduate fellowships may be renewed as
long as the student adequate progress toward a degree in a curriculum
acceptable to the sponsoring educational institution and NIST, and
maintains a 3.0 or higher grade point average. Proposed graduate
fellowships must not exceed six years. Proposed post-doctoral
fellowships may be renewed, but must not exceed a total of three years.
Indirect Costs
Applicants are encouraged to propose to cover indirect costs as
cost share under the program. However, indirect costs are eligible
project costs. Any indirect costs proposed in an application under this
program must not exceed the indirect cost rate negotiated with the
applicant's cognizant or oversight Federal agency prior to the proposed
effective date of the award.
Applicant Forms
Standard Form (SF)424, Application for Financial Assistance, SF
424A, SF 424B, and CD-511 shall be used for applying an financial
assistance. Awards resulting from this competition will be administered
in accordance with 15 CFR 14, ``Uniform Administrative Requirements for
Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals,
Other Non-Profits, and Commercial Organizations;'' and OMB Circular A-
21, ``Cost Principles for Educational Institutions;'' and other award
terms and conditions. An application kit may be requested from the
contact person at the address listed above. Proposals may be structured
in any way that the applicants believe will best present their proposed
project. A format that NIST offers for consideration by applicant is as
follows:
Proposal Summary
I. Introduction: Describe the institution's qualifications for
conducting the proposed project.
II. Need Assessment: Document and explain the needs to be met by
the proposed project or problems to be solved as a result of conducting
the proposed project
III. Objectives: Provide detailed expected project outcomes and
benefits to the college or university expressed in measurable terms.
IV. Evaluation: Delineate plans for measuring success or
determining the degree to which the project objectives were met.
V. Budget: Prepare SF-424-A and provide a detailed budget narrative
to explain fully and justify all proposed project funding including
each level of fellowships (undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate)
and other resources.
VI. Future or Other: Describe plans for continuing the project
Necessary Funding beyond Federal funding currently requested. It is up
to the applicant organization to determine appropriate application
criteria for use by undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral students
in applying for the fellowship program. There is no prescribed format.
Examples of criteria previously used can be obtained from the contact
person listed above or by downloading copies from the PREP web site at
http://www.boulder.nist.gov/exec/bdprepo.htm.
Project Funding Priorities
Applicants must be able to provide students for on site work
experiences at the NIST laboratories in Boulder, Colorado. The student
must also be enrolled in an academic program acceptable to both the
sponsoring institution and NIST while working in the laboratories.
Application Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be evaluated by a panel of at least three
independent reviewers who are knowledgeable in the subject matter of
this solicitation and its objectives. All applications will be
evaluated and scored on the basis of the evaluation criteria delineated
below:
1. Experience in providing students pursuing degrees in physics,
chemistry, materials science, mathematics, computer science or
engineering with work experiences in laboratories or other settings
consistent with furthering the students' education. Unsatisfactory
performance on any previous Federal awards may result in an application
not being considered for funding. (30 Points)
2. Soundness of the applicant's academic program, proposed project
objectives, and appropriateness of proposed student work assignments in
light of ongoing research at NIST/Boulder and the students' academic
programs. (30 Points)
3. Adequacy and reasonableness of plans for administering the
project and coordinating with the NIST Program Officer in Boulder. (20
Points)
4. Cost realism of the proposed project budget (proposed
fellowships and other proposed costs) in light of the activities
proposed and the objectives of the sponsoring institution and NIST. (20
Points)
Selection Procedures
Selection Procedures
The selection of institutions to be recommended for an award will
be made by the Executive Officer at the NIST Laboratory in Boulder,
Colorado. In recommending applications for funding, the Executive
Officer will take into consideration the results of the evaluations and
scores of the independent review panel, the needs of the NIST
laboratories, and the selection official's judgement as to which
applications, taken as a whole, are likely to best further the goals of
the PREP program. The final selection of applications and award of
cooperative agreements will be made by the NIST Grants Officer in
Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Other Requirements
Federal Policies and Procedures
Recipients and subrecipients are subject to all Federal laws and
Federal and DoC policies, regulations, and procedures applicable to
Federal financial assistance awards.
Past Performance
Unsatisfactory performance under prior Federal awards may result in
an application not being considered for funding.
Preaward Activities
If applicants incur any costs prior to an award being made, they do
so solely at their own risk of not being reimbursed by the Government.
Notwithstanding any verbal or written assurance that may have been
received, there is no obligation on the part of DoC to cover preaward
costs.
No Obligation for Future Funding
If an application is selected for funding, DoC has no obligation to
provide any additional future funding in connection with that award.
Renewal of an award to increase funding or extend the period of
performance is at the total discretion of DoC.
Delinquent Federal Debts
No award of Federal funds shall be made to an applicant who has an
outstanding delinquent Federal debt until either:
1. The delinquent account is paid in full,
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2. A negotiated repayment schedule is established and at least one
payment is receive, or
3. Other arrangements satisfactory to DoC are made.
Name Check Review
All non-profit and for-profit applicants are subject to a name
check review process. Name checks are intended to reveal if any key
individuals associated with the applicant have been convicted of or are
presently facing criminal charges such as fraud, theft, perjury, or
other matters which significantly reflect on the applicant's management
honesty or financial integrity.
Primary Applicant Certifications
All primary applicants must submit a completed Form CD-511,
``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other
Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and
Lobbying,'' and the following explanations are hereby provided:
1. Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension: Prospective
participants (as defined at 15 CFR Part 26, Section 105) are subject to
15 CFR Part 26, ``Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension'' and the
related section of the certification form prescribed above applies;
2. Drug-Free Workplace: Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR Part 26,
Section 605) are subject to 15 CFR Part 26, Subpart F, ``Governmentwide
Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)'' and the related section
of the certification form prescribed above applies;
3. Anti-Lobbying: Persons (as defined at 15 CFR Part 28, Section
105) are subject to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352,
``Limitation on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal
contracting and financial transactions,'' and the lobbying section of
the certification form prescribed above applies to applicants/bids for
cooperative agreements for more than $100,000; and
4. Anti-Lobbying Disclosures: Any applicant who has paid or will
pay for lobbying using any funds must submit in SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of
Lobbying Activities,'' as required under 15 CFR Part 28, Appendix B.
False Statements
A false statement on an application is grounds for denial or
termination of funds and grounds for possible punishment by a fine of
imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001.
Intergovernmental Review
Applications under this program are not subject to Executive Order
12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.''
Purchase of American-Made Equipment and Products
Applicants are hereby notified that they are encouraged, to the
greatest practicable extent, to purchase American-made equipment and
products with funding provided under this program.
Executive Order 12866
This funding notice was determined to be ``not significant'' for
purposes of Executive Order 12866.
Paperwork Reduction Act
This Notice involves collections of information subject to the
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), which have been approved by the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB Control Numbers 0348-0043,
0348-0044, 0348-0040, and 0348-0046. Notwithstanding, any other
provision of law no person is required to respond to nor shall a person
be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of
information subject to the requirements of the PRA unless that
collection displays a current valid OMB control number.
Dated: May 3, 1999.
Karen H. Brown,
Deputy Director.
[FR Doc. 99-11568 Filed 5-6-99; 8:45 am]
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