Coastal Marine Institute

CMI Funding Announcement

DEADLINE: Monday, October 13, 2008

CMI Funding Announcement (20KB PDF)

Important Links:

The University of Alaska Coastal Marine Institute (CMI), established by a 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 award in Federal Fiscal Year 2009. The purpose of CMI is to provide matching MMS funding for research in Alaska on coastal, marine and human environmental issues pertaining to offshore mineral exploration and extraction. Up to $750,000 per year is available as match (co-funding) for projects. No limit is set on the dollar amount for each project, but the intent of CMI is to fund several smaller projects. Researchers must secure at least one dollar of nonfederal matching funds for every dollar from CMI. Acceptable nonfederal match includes funding from university, municipal, state, or private sources. Match may also be in-kind, such as needed services. Please note that one principal investigator on each project must be a faculty member or staff member of the University of Alaska, who must participate significantly in the project.

Projects should address at least one CMI Framework Issue, focus on an area of current interest to MMS (Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea, or North Aleutian Basin), or be applicable regardless of geographic area (e.g., laboratory studies). MMS’ current environmental study interest in the Chukchi Sea is primarily oriented towards information useful for post-sale research monitoring and permitting processes.; Also, full consideration of potential studies in the North Aleutian Basin is subject to the discretion of the President on whether to modify the Presidential Withdrawal to allow leasing in the North Aleutian Basin planning area and to subsequent decisions by the Secretary of Interior on the 5-year (2007–2012) OCS leasing program.

CMI Framework Issues

Scientific 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;
Modeling studies of environmental, social, economic, or cultural processes related to OCS gas and oil activities in order to improve scientific predictive capabilities;
Experimental scientific studies for better understanding of environmental processes, or the causes and effects of OCS activities;
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
Synthesis studies of scientific environmental or socioeconomic information relevant to the OCS gas and oil program.

CMI is looking for studies that will help managers and regulators make better decisions about issues relating to offshore oil, gas and other marine minerals. Examples of specific informational needs are detailed in the MMS Alaska OCS Region's 2008 Annual Studies Plan and an addendum of additional recommended studies. These documents are linked through the CMI website homepage. Investigators are encouraged to review suggested studies; however, all proposals that address CMI Framework Issues will be considered.

Student and Public Involvement

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.

Deliverables

CMI project deliverables include quarterly, annual and final reports. Each project is required to present ongoing research yearly at the CMI Annual Research Review in Fairbanks and at the MMS offices in Anchorage as requested for information transfer. Draft final reports are due six months before contract end dates for review, revision, and publication, timelines should be constructed accordingly. The primary goal of this program is the delivery of a Final Report that will be utilized by MMS for part of their evaluation of offshore leasing activities. As such, the timeliness and quality of the Final Report is of utmost importance.;

Evaluation

Proposals will be evaluated on the quality and clarity of the proposed hypothesis, the adequacy of proposed methods, budget, and the overall relevance of the project to CMI Framework Issues. Requests for revised final proposals including, finalized match commitments, will be made in early December and will be due for final award consideration January 19, 2009.; Awards are anticipated in late spring though conservative planning for 2009 summer field work is recommended.

Submission and Deadline

Proposals must be submitted electronically here by October 13, 2008.

You must submit your proposal online no later than Monday, October 13, 2008.

For additional information please contact cmi@sfos.uaf.edu.