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How To Apply

Application Process
Application Package
Frequently Asked Questions
For Further Information
About NOAA
NOAA Research Priorities


Application Process

Applicants should apply on-line through grants.gov. Follow the instructions on grants.gov carefully. The on-line process has several steps and takes time to complete, so visit the grants.gov site early in order to accomplish all steps. The deadline date including time of day is firm. All documents in the application package must be in “word” or scanned as PDF files and uploaded into grants.gov.

Paper applications will be accepted only from those individuals who do not have access to the internet. In such cases, paper applications should be sent to:

Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program
Attention:  Dr. Priti Brahma
Office of Education
SSMC-3. Room 10725
1315 East West Highway
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Application Package

Each application must include the following items.  Failure to submit these items exactly as described in each section below, or if any item is omitted, will disqualify the application from consideration.

  1. STANDARD FORM 424 (SF-424) Application for Federal Assistance.

    When you begin the application process you will find the Standard Form 424 (pdf,104Kb) in grants.gov.  This form was originally designed for organizations so some of the information pertains to organizations only.  Because we have received many questions from applicants attempting to complete the form, we are providing the tips below to aid you in the process.

    • All blocks in yellow must be completed.
    • Organizational Duns Number – 000000000INDV
    • Organizational Unit:  Department and Division - Leave blank
    • Employers Identification Number – use your social security number
    • Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number – 11.429 Title:  Marine Sanctuary Program
    • Description and Title of Project – Nancy Foster Scholarship Program
    • Areas Affected by the Project – Enter area where the university is located
    • Proposed start date – 08-01-2008 – End date July 31 -  2 years later for masters or 4 years later for doctorate or sooner if you are well into your degree at the beginning of the award
    • Congressional District – location of university - if you are applying to graduate programs at the time of application, please use your permanent address.
    • Estimated funding  - Federal $52,000, Total $52,000
    • Program is not covered by E.O. 12372
    • Authorized representative – you are your authorized representative.

  2. GENERAL INFORMATION SHEET

    Provide the information outlined below, but do not exceed 2 typewritten pages.  General Information Sheets that are longer than 2 pages in length will not be accepted and will result in the application being disqualified.

    1. Personal Data: Provide your full name, country of citizenship, current address, permanent address, home, work, fax and cellular telephone numbers and e-mail address.

    2. Optional Personal data: For statistical collection purposes only you may indicate your gender and race or ethnicity. (This information is voluntary)

    3. Degree Sought: State your proposed field of study (oceanography, marine biology, or maritime archaeology) (including all science, engineering, and resource management of ocean and coastal areas))and degree type you are seeking (e.g. M.S., M.A., Ph.D.). Include the month and year you expect the degree to be awarded. State the name and location of your institution.

    4. Education: List the academic degrees you have received, or expect to receive by the start of your proposed graduate studies for this program, including the date of receipt and institution. Provide your graduate advisor`s name, address, telephone, fax number, and e-mail address.

    5. Academic Honors: List any academic honors that you have received.   

    6. Relevant Work Experience. List work experience related to your field of study. You may include research and teaching assistantships and any other paid or unpaid work.


  3. RESEARCH PROPOSAL

    The Nancy Foster Scholarship program is designed to support students interested in NOAA mission related sciences of oceanography, marine biology or maritime archaeology (including all science, engineering, and resource management of ocean and coastal areas). Discuss the research area you plan to pursue in graduate school and its relationship to NOAA sciences in the aforementioned areas of emphasis and how your research activities support NOAA's mission, especially the mission of the National Marine Sanctuary Program. Information about NOAA is available at
    www.noaa.gov and in particular, the National Marine Sanctuary Program at http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/. The research proposal should be typewritten, single-spaced and should not exceed 3 pages in length. Statements longer than three pages will not be accepted and will result in the application being disqualified.

  4. STATEMENT OF INTENT

    The Statement of Intent is a self-description of your academic, research, and career goals, and how your proposed course of study or research will help you achieve these goals. This is your opportunity to present yourself, and your aspirations and career goals. Include any background information that is pertinent, and provide insight into why you choose these goals to pursue. This statement should not be a research proposal or scientific abstract. This statement will be used to evaluate you as an individual, not necessarily as a scientist, and your motivation for applying for this
    scholarship. This statement should demonstrate your organizational and written communication skills. The statement of intent should be typewritten, single-spaced, and should not exceed one page in length. Statements longer than one page will not be
    accepted and will result in the application being disqualified.

  5. STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL NEED

    To evaluate financial need, NOAA will use the Department of Education's Expected Family Contribution (EFC) determination. To receive an EFC determination, applicants must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the Department of Education. See http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. In response to the FAFSA, the Department of Education will provide the applicant with a Student Aid Report (SAR), which will contain the EFC determination. A copy of of the FAFSA and SAR, along with a 1 page, single spaced essay describing your financial need must be submitted with the application. In your essay describing your financial need, discuss how you plan to fund your graduate level education and what the impact will be if you do not receive this scholarship. Also, list the following in the order stated: estimated amount needed for tuition and fees, all resources currently available to you to cover your graduate studies (e.g., grants, student loans, scholarships, research or teaching assistant positions, personal funds), the length of time these resources will
    be available and if they include work requirements, other resources for which you have applied and have received, as well as those for which you have not received a response.

  6. INSTITUTE CERTIFICATION

    A letter from the applicant's institution certifying that the student is enrolled or has accepted an offer to a graduate program must be submitted with the application. The letter should consist of the following information on school letterhead and be signed by a school official: Name and location of the academic institution, the school and department that you are currently attending or plan to attend, and the month and year your studies will begin if you are not currently enrolled. It is preferable that the institute certification described above be used. However, some institutions will only provide a standardized institute certification, in which cases that will be acceptable. If you have a graduate advisor, list his/her name, address, telephone and fax numbers, and an e-mail address, if available in the Institute Certification portion of your application. Current transcripts or letters of acceptance from the institution will not be accepted in lieu of the Institute Certification. Failure to include the InstituteCertification specifically as indicated above will result in the application being disqualified. Applicants selected to receive the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship will be
    required to submit a certification of enrollment at the start of each term.

  7. TRANSCRIPTS

    Provide transcripts for all university/college(s) attended. Photocopied transcripts are acceptable. Transcripts must be included with all other application materials and will not be accepted if mailed separately. Failure to include transcripts from all previous university/college-level studies will result in the application being disqualified. Applicants selected to receive the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship will be required to submit official transcripts at the time the award is made.

  8. THREE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

    Each application must include only three signed letters of recommendation from individuals who have knowledge of your academic record, research effort, work and/or life experience. Relevant paid work, such as internships and volunteer efforts, are applicable. If you have a sponsor or advisor in the program, one of these letters should be from that individual. Letters of recommendation should be opened and uploaded for electronic submission via http://grants.gov. If an individual writing a recommendation requests that the applicant not open the letter of recommendation,
    the applicant should send all three letters of recommendation together in one envelope to the address stated in IV. A above. All letters submitted via mail must be received by 5:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time on February 8, 2008. Applications without three, signed letters of recommendation or received after 5:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time on February 8, 2008 will result in the application being disqualified.

  9. DECLARATION

    Applicants must certify that all statements and information in their applications are true and correct by copying the following on a plain piece of paper, signing it, and including it in their application:

    I, the undersigned, declare, under penalty of perjury, that all statements and information in my application are true and correct. 

    Executed on [insert date].____________________________

    Print or Type Name_________________________________

    Signature_____________________________________

    Failure to include this statement, signed by the applicant, will result in the application being disqualified.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How long does it take to get a grants.gov login and password?

  1. It can take 3-4 days to obtain a grants.gov login and password, therefore do not wait until February to obtain your login and password.

  1. I am trying to register as an individual at Grants.gov, however, the Funding Opportunity Number (NOS-NMS-2008-2001067) is not working for the registration with a Credential Provider. What should I do?

  1. Please use the following default to register with the Credential Provider: 0716-INDV-REGISTRATION. You must type it in all capitol letters.

  1. Do I need to submit a CD-511 with my application package?

  1. Applicants do not need to submit a CD-511 with their application package.  Only scholarship recipients will need to submit this form at a later date.

  1. I downloaded the word and pdf documents from www.grants.gov but am unable to locate the mandatory yellow blocks - how can I see these?

  1. To view the Yellow boxes, you must instal the Pure Edge viewer before "downloading" the application and instructions. Once you have installed the Pure Edge Viewer, click on the "download application package" - the main page for the application will open up with a box labeled Mandatory Documents - select "Application for Federal Assistance" and then click Open Form - it will open in the browser and enabling you to see the yellow boxes. Internet Explorer is the preferred browser.  

  1. Is there an application form I should use to apply for this scholarship?

  1. You must submit a Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance.  Your application package should consist of the items listed under the “How to Apply – Application Package” section of this web page. 

  1. I am not able to enter the organizational Duns number (000000000INDV) into the indicated spot on the SF-424 form. How can I fix this problem?

  1. In order to enter the DUNS number on the SF-424, you must check the box on the initial Grant Application page entitled:"I will be submitting applications on my behalf, and not on the behalf of a company, state, local, or tribal government, academia, or other type of organization." This box is immediately above the Application Filing name area on the entry window to the application.

  1. May my transcripts be mailed directly to you from the school?

  1. Transcripts should not be sent to us from your school.  They must be included with the application materials you send to us through grants.gov.  Transcripts sent separately from your application package will not be accepted.

  1. Does the transcript need to remain in its original envelope?

  1. Transcripts do not need to remain in their original envelope.  They must be uploaded with the application package on grants.gov. Original transcripts are not required at the time of application but will be required at the time the award is made.

  1. May my letters of recommendation be mailed directly to you from the writer?

  1. Letters of recommendation must not be sent directly to us from the writer.  They must be included with the application material you send to us on grants.gov unless the individual writing the recommendation objects to your opening the envelope.  Instructions on how to submit unopened recommendation letters is under the "How to Apply" section of this web page.

  1. May I send you more than three letters of recommendation?

  1. Only three letters of recommendation should be included with your application materials.

  1. Do letters of recommendation need to remain in their original envelopes?

  1. Letters of recommendation do not need to remain in their original envelopes.

  1. Can a non-U.S. citizen apply for the scholarship?

  1. Only U.S. citizens are eligible to apply for the scholarship.

  1. I am U.S. citizen pursuing a degree in one of the three eligible degree fields at a foreign institution, am I eligible to apply?

  1. You must be enrolled in or have accepted an offer at the time the award is made from an institution in the U.S.

  1. May only new students apply?

  1. Students in all stages of their MS or Ph.D studies are eligible to apply.

  1. May I apply if i am currently applying to graduate programs?

  1. Students who are applying to graduate school at the time of application are eligible to apply. In lieu of a the institute certification from the graduate program, applicants should submit a list of schools where the applicant has applied. Applicants must have an accepted offer to a U.S. institution at the time the award is made.

  1. Should all of the application items be put into a giant PDF or attached as separate files?

  1. Each application item, i.e. research proposal, statement of intent, etc. should be attached as separate files to the SF-424 (not as optional documents).

  1. I hit the "Submit" button but nothing happens, what should I do?

  1. Please ensure you are using Internet Explorer as other browsers are not compatible with the ICS Viewer. Once your application has been successfully submitted, you will receive an email confirmation from Grants.gov with a date, time, and tracking number.

  1. I was able to submit my application at grants.gov after 5 pm on the due date, will it be accepted?

  1. All grant submissions to Grants.gov are stamped with a date, time, and tracking number. Any submissions received after 5 pm on the due date will be disqualified.

For Further Information

Contact the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program via e-mail: fosterscholars@noaa.gov.

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About NOAA

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) mission is to describe and predict changes in the Earth’s environment, and conserve and manage wisely the Nation’s coastal and marine resources to ensure sustainable economic opportunities. As the largest agency in the U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA manages the U.S. operational weather and environmental satellites, a fleet of ships and aircraft for oceanographic, surveying, fisheries, coastal, and atmospheric studies, 12 environmental research laboratories, and several large supercomputers. NOAA is responsible for all U.S. weather and climate forecasting, monitoring and archiving of oceanic and atmospheric data, management of marine fisheries and mammals, mapping and charting of all U.S. waters, coastal zone management, and research and development in all of these areas. Essentially, NOAA is divided into six Line Offices: National Ocean Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, National Weather Service, National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, and Program Planning and Integration. NOAA also has multiple corporate and staff offices. With employees in every U.S. state, at sea, and at many overseas locations, NOAA employs more than 12,500 people.

NOAA Research Priorities
Relevant to the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program

Research is essential to supporting NOAA’s responsibilities, as set forth in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Threatened and Endangered Species Act, the Sanctuaries Act, the Coastal Zone Management Act, Hydrographic Services Improvement Act, and others.

Areas of particular interest to NOAA include:

Fisheries and Coastal Ecosystems, including biological and chemical assessments; habitat quality and coastal ecology; ecosystem monitoring and modeling; remote sensing and GIS applications; biodiversity; economics and social sciences; fishery biology; systematics and taxonomy; and biotechnology, aquaculture, and stock enhancement.

Coastal Navigation, Hazard Response, and Management, including support for safe navigation in and out of ports and along our coasts; understanding, predicting, assessing, managing, and communicating cumulative impacts of human and natural stresses on coastal ocean ecosystems from climate change, pollution, land and resource use, invasive species, and extreme natural events; and developing the natural, social, and economic bases for integrated coastal and ocean management.

Geological Dynamics and Biogeochemical Cycles, including global carbon cycling; air-sea fluxes; point and nonpoint source contaminants; dynamics of pollutants in ecosystems; biochemical applications; mineral production and dispersion; ocean and coastal circulation; sediment transport and sediment-water interactions; tsunami, storm, sea-level rise, and land subsidence impacts; coastal geodesy; shoreline delineation; post-glacial rebound; sea-floor mapping; seismic activity; and hydrothermal vents.


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Revised on December 10, 2007 by FosterScholars Web Team
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