FEDERAL AGENCY:

NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

AUTHORIZATION:

National Climate Program Act, Section 5, as amended, Public Law 95-367.

To aid States in the initiation of regional climate centers which will supply climate data, information, and other climate services to users in the private and public sectors; assess the impacts of climate on the environment and natural hazards, agricultural and industrial production, energy supply and demand, water resources and planning, transportation and tourism, human health, insurance and litigation, and national security; and perform applied research on regional climate problems. Specialized weather services are more appropriately provided by the private sector.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Any State or group of States, public or private educational institutions, State agencies and other persons or institutions qualified to conduct climate-related studies or provide climate-related services.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Local and regional users of climate information.

Credentials/Documentation:   Proposal with statement of work and budget estimate. Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments, if applicable.

Pre-application Coordination:   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. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102.

Application Procedure:   Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) with proposal and budget estimate. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedure:   Application approved within NOAA.

Deadlines:   April 1 of each year.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Ninety days from application deadline.

Appeals:   None.

Renewals:   Annual.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   This program has no statutory formula.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   In annual increments.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Monthly progress and expenditure reports.

Audits:   In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), recipients that are States, Local Governments, Nonprofit Organizations (to include Hospitals), and Institutions of Higher Learning shall be subject to the audit requirements contained in the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 U.S.C. 7501-7507). Commercial organizations shall be subject to the audit requirements as stipulated in the award document.

Records:   Financial and other records pertinent to the award shall be retained for 3 years.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:   13-1450-0-1-306.

Obligations:   (Grants) FY 01 $2,336,000; FY 02 est $2,630,000; and FY 03 est $2,630,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  
$438,000 for each of the six centers.

In fiscal year 2001, continuation grant renewals were awarded. Climate services for users have been enhanced at each Regional Climate Center. Internet access to Regional Climate Center home pages continues to grow, indicative of the high demand for climate services and information provided by the Regional Climate Centers. Regional and State scale climate observations are being collected, archived, and disseminated. New techniques and capabilities to conduct climate monitoring were developed and implemented.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

None.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   Not applicable.

Headquarters Office:   NESDIS - Asheville, NC. Telephone: (828) 271-4476.

Web Site Address:  
Agency:
http://www.rdc.noaa.gov
Regional Climate Centers:
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/regionalclimatecenters.html

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

(1) Northeast Regional Climate Center; (2) Midwest Regional Climate Center; (3) High Plains Regional Climate Center; (4) Western Regional Climate Center; (5) Southern Regional Climate Center; and (6) Southeast Regional Climate Center.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

Appropriated funds earmarked for specific locations; proposals reviewed and approved on basis of relevance to program objectives, potential for service and cost effectiveness.