Program Descriptions
Program Number
11.468
Title
Applied Meteorological Research
Federal Agency
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Authorization
49 U.S.C. 44720.
Status
Active
Objectives
Through the Collaborative Science, Technology, and Applied Research (CSTAR) program, the NWS provides funding to the university community for highly collaborative applied research activities. The CSTAR program creates a cost-effective transition from basic and applied research to operations and services. This service-science linkage provides a foundation for the ongoing infusion of science and technology into NWS operations.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements).
Uses and Use Restrictions
The funds are used by recipients to implement programs described in proposals submitted and selected in response to calls for proposals from the CSTAR Program Office. The CSTAR Program Office may support non-competitive awards in case specific instances or by direction from legislative language.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
College and universities in the United States.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Colleges and universities with interests in atmospheric and related sciences.
Credentials/Documentation
Proposals will be considered if applicants meet the qualifications listed in solicitations.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
No preapplication coordination is required. However, since proposals must demonstrate high levels of collaboration with operational NWS components, it is recommended that applicants discuss potential interactions with relevant NWS operational personnel prior to submission. Consultation and assistance is available through the NWS program manager. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
Standard Form 424 series, certification, and other related forms must accompany formal proposals. Detailed instructions are contained in solicitations. Proposals will be submitted through the CSTAR program manager to the NOAA Grants Management Division for review and approval. The Department of Commerce will review all projects before an award is executed by the NOAA Grants Officer.
Award Procedure
Awards are selected by the NWS Office of Science and Technology and are made on the basis of proposal evaluations and technical and administrative reviews.
Deadlines
Deadlines are announced within solicitations published in the Federal Register.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Approval time is expected to be about four months, which includes processing the award through NWS, NOAA, and DOC financial assistance functions.
Appeals
None.
Renewals
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no matching requirements, however, each university normally contributes funding to further support the projects.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Awards are for a 12-36 month period, although only one year is funded at a time. Outyears are funded based on availability of funds and adequate progress. Funds are disbursed through the NOAA Accounting Services.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Semiannual technical and financial progress reports are due within 30 days of the end of the evaluation period. Final reports are due within 90 days of the expiration of the award.
Audits
Audits will be conducted in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-133 for universities and nonprofit organizations. In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133, (Revised, June 27, 2003), Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit 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 the year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
Financial records and supporting documents and all other records, i.e., property, performance work products, etc., pertinent to the agreement shall be maintained in accordance with the provisions of 15 CFR 14.53 as applicable.
Financial Information
Account Identification
13-1450-0-1-306.
Obligations
FY 07 $1,544,000; FY 08 est not available; and FY 09 est not reported.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
$100,000 to $3,700,000. Average: $460,285.
Program Accomplishments
Projects awarded through the CSTAR program are leading to a deeper understanding of meteorological factors involved in the NWS warning and forecasting programs, which, in turn, will benefit the U.S. public with more responsive warning and forecast programs. Specifically, regional and local lightning climatologies are being developed and distributed to NWS forecast offices for use in anticipating thunderstorm development; improvements to operational hurricane prediction models are being implemented; algorithms for better detection and estimation of precipitation amounts in the complex terrain of the western U.S. are being developed; and new techniques for forecasting and warning extreme winter weather events are being developed.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Allowable cost will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular A-87 for State and local governments and Indian Tribes; OMB Circular A-122 for nonprofit and for-profit organizations; OMB Circular A-21 for institutions of higher education; and 48 CFR Part 31 for commercial organizations. Financial assistance management will be in accordance with 15 CFR Part 14 for institutions of higher education, hospitals, and other non-profit and commercial organizations, and with 15 CFR Part 24 for State and local governments.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
N/A.
Headquarters Office
CSTAR Program Manager, National Weather Service, 1325 East-West Highway, SSMC2, Room 15326, Mailcode W/OST12, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Telephone: (301) 713-557 x150.
Web Site Address
http://www.noaa.nws.gov
Related Programs
11.467, Meteorologic And Hydrologic Modernization Development
Examples of Funded Projects
Awards are related to topics of regional and national importance such as developing an operational system for probabilistic quantitative precipitation forecasts in the U.S., improving the prediction of warm- and cool-season heavy precipitation events over the Northeastern U.S., improving forecasts of topographically-forced weather systems in the Carolinas and Virginia, and improving operational radar algorithms in the Inter-mountain West.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Selection criteria are announced within solicitations published in the Federal Register. Examples of criteria used in past solicitations included operational applicability, scientific merit, technology transfer and methodology, capability of researchers, and cost effectiveness.
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