The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) provides major economic and energy benefits on a national and local level to the taxpayers, states and the American Indian community.

The BOEM oversees the exploration and development of oil, natural gas and other minerals and renewable energy alternatives

credit:

on the nations outer continental shelf.

BOEM continues to look for better ways to serve the American people and to ensure that the Nation receives the best value for its resources now and into the future.

The program not only supports decisions made within the Department of Interior, but also provides coastal States and local governments with the information necessary to ensure that all stages of offshore energy and mineral activities are conducted in a manner to protect both the human and natural environments.

The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) Section 1346 mandates the conduct of environmental and socioeconomic studies needed for the assessment and management of environmental impacts on the human, marine, and coastal environments which may be affected by oil and gas or other mineral development.

OCSLA Section 1345 authorizes the use of cooperative agreements with affected States to meet the requirements of OCSLA, including sharing of information, joint utilization of available expertise, formation of joint monitoring arrangements to carry out applicable Federal and State laws, regulations, and stipulations relevant to outer continental shelf operations both onshore and offshore.

The purpose of the Environmental Studies Program is to obtain the information needed for the assessment and the management of environmental impacts; to predict impacts on marine biota; and to monitor the human, marine, and coastal environments to provide time series and data trend information.

Fiscal Year 2016: Distribution and Relative Abundance of Marine Mammals in the Chukchi Sea and the Fall Migration of Bowhead Whales in the Beaufort Sea. Fiscal Year 2017: No Current Data Available. Fiscal Year 2018: No Current Data Available.

Uses and Use Restrictions

The assistance can be used to conduct environmental research to satisfy the information needs associated with oil and gas, alternate energy and marine mineral development on the outer continental shelf.

Applications must be for scientific research projects which are within the BOEM' area of responsibility.

The majority of funds are used to support research that will enhance understanding of long-term effects of oil and gas, marine minerals and alternate energy development projects.

Funds can also be used for attendance at national conferences for the dissemination of project results.

Funds are not normally used for capitalization.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

State agencies, public universities, and non-profits in affected states may apply.

More than one institution may collaborate in the preparation of an application for assistance.

Scientists from other institutions may participate in collaboration with a principal investigator from a State agency or public university.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Research scientists, Federal, State and local decision-makers, Native American Organizations, and the general public will ultimately benefit from the program.

Credentials/Documentation

Evidence of the applicant's qualifications for performance of the proposed research including past professional publications, resumes, and lists of past projects must be provided. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Limited discussions regarding funding availability and program interest may be permitted.

Applicants should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in their State to find out if the State has selected this program for review and for information on the process the State requires when applying for Federal assistance.

Environmental impact information is not required for this program.

This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.

12372, 'Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.' An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedures

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Proposals must include a full statement of work, estimated budget, and resumes. Applicants shall post their applications on www.grants.gov. The standard SF-424 application forms required by OMB Circular A-102, 2 CFR Part 215.12, and the Department of the Interior Code of Federal Regulations at 43 CFR Part 12, Subparts C and F, or its revisions, must be used.

Award Procedures

Awards are made on the basis of a competitive peer review of proposals by a panel consisting of government research managers and external reviewers, as appropriate. Criteria for judging proposals include mission relevance, technical merit, and the quality and appropriateness of the personnel, project management, logistics plan, safety management, permits and interagency coordination, budget/matching funds, and where appropriate, minimization of impacts. Notification of an award is issued. It is anticipated that ten applications will be received and ten new cooperative agreement awards will be granted in FY 2016.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Authorization

43 U.S.C. 1345 (e); 43 U.S.C. 1346 Section 20.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 90 - 270 days.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

Not Applicable.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program. Matching Requirements: No statutory requirements. Cost sharing of 1:1 is encouraged. MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Cooperative agreements will normally be awarded for 1 to 5 years, with funding awarded incrementally as funds become available, with approximately 15% to be provided in the final year of performance. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Information not available.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Quarterly progress reports; a presentation at periodic BOEM Information Transfer Meetings; a draft final, proof copy, and final report; draft and final technical summary; articles based on the research published in journals, and presentation slides are required.

Dissemination of the research results at professional society meetings and symposia is encouraged.

Cash reports are not applicable.

Progress reports are not applicable.

Annual and final financial reports using the Federal Financial Report SF-425 are also required.

Performance monitoring is not applicable.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, non-Federal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503. .

Records

All records must be maintained for 3 years after submission of the final financial report.

Financial Information

Account Identification

14-1917-0-1-302.

Obigations

(Cooperative Agreements) FY 16 $4,952,461; FY 17 est $7,600,000; and FY 18 est $0

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Range is $150,000 to $1,200,000; Average $350,000.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

The Environmental Studies Program is described in 30 CFR Chapter II Subchapter B Subpart M-Studies. Final reports are available online in the BOEM Environmental Studies Information System at: http://www.boem.gov/Environmental-Studies-EnvData/

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Rodney Cluck Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, 45600 Woodland Road, Sterling, Virginia 20166 Email: rodney.cluck@boem.gov Phone: (703) 787-1087 Fax: (703) 787-1053

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Panels of BOEM, and non-BOEM scientists (government, public and private sector as appropriate), review and evaluate proposals. Criteria for judging proposals include mission relevance, technical merit, and the quality and appropriateness of the personnel, including past performance and publication record, project management, logistics plan, safety management, permits and interagency coordination, budget/matching funds, and where appropriate, minimization of impacts.