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. Place Cursor Here for Definition
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.
Pre-application Coordination:
No pre-application 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: Awards are
normally issued on an annual basis.
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 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments,
and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial
assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal Awards will have a single or a
program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that
expend less than $300,000 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: Total FY 01
$2,116,353; FY 02 est $2,000,000; and FY 03 est $2,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance: $104,000 to $588,000. Average: $166,000.
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.
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.
