EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM 2009

UNCLAS STATE 010843 CORRECTED COPY - CAPTIONS AND CLEARANCES SENSITIVE,SIPDIS, FODAG, E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV TSPL TBIO EAGR ENRG ECON AMGT APER EPA SUBJECT: EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM 2009 FOR PAOS, USAID, USDA, ESTH OFFICERS, ECONOFFS, MCC ¶1. (U) THIS IS AN ACTION MESSAGE WITH A DEADLINE OF MARCH 6, 2009. SEE PARAGRAPHS 16-19 FOR INSTRUCTIONS. AGENCY DESCRIPTIONS ARE AT PARAGRAPHS 20-30. SUMMARY: -------------- ¶2. (U) OVERVIEW: THE EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM (ESFP) OFFERS POSTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REQUEST AND HOST A SCIENTIST FOR A ONE TO THREE MONTH TDY. THE PROGRAM SUPPORTS U.S. SCIENCE DIPLOMACY THROUGH COLLABORATION WITH HOST GOVERNMENTS AND LOCAL ENTITIES. AT POST'S REQUEST, THE ESFP PLACES USG SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS OVERSEAS TO PROVIDE EXPERTISE, ADVICE, AND ASSISTANCE WITH ISSUES RELATED TO A FULL RANGE OF PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, ENGINEERING FIELDS, TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION, ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, AGRICULTURE, OCEANS, AND FISHERIES. THE PROGRAM IS COORDINATED THROUGH THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION IN THE BUREAU OF OCEANS, ENVIRONMENT AND SCIENCE (OES/STC) WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE OFFICE OF THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ADVISOR TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE (STAS). PARTICIPATING AGENCIES INCLUDE THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (NSF),U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY (USGS), U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA),NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION (NOAA),ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA),NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH),NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA),NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY (NIST) AND THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION (SI). ADDITIONAL AGENCIES NOT LISTED MAY REVIEW PROPOSALS ON AN AD-HOC BASIS. SCIENCE AND DIPLOMACY FELLOWS ON ASSIGNMENT AT STATE AND USAID ARE POTENTIAL CANDIDATES AS WELL. THE PROGRAM IS A SHARED COST PROGRAM IN THAT THE TECHNICAL AGENCIES SUPPLY PERSONNEL, THEIR TRAVEL COSTS AND TRAINING. POSTS MUST SUPPLY HOUSING, IN-COUNTRY TRAVEL AND THE OFFICE/ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS. IN 2008, 67 SEPARATE PROJECT PROPOSALS WERE RECEIVED FROM 39 COUNTRIES WITH A CORRESPONDING 31 ASSIGNMENTS MADE. SINCE THE START OF THE PROGRAM IN 2001, APPROXIMATELY 250 SCIENTISTS HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM. THE ESFP'S POPULARITY HAS LED TO AN INCREASE IN PROPOSALS, BUT AGENCY FUNDING IS LIMITED. POSTS SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT A REQUEST FOR A FELLOW WILL BE FULFILLED. PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO POSTS IN MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE AND POSTS THAT HAVE NEVER HOSTED A FELLOW. PROPOSALS ARE DUE TO OES/STC BY MARCH 6, 2009. END SUMMARY. NASULGC AND SCIENCE AND DIPLOMACY FELLOWS ¶3. (U) USDA HAS GIVEN A ONE-TIME GRANT TO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE UNIVERSITY AND LAND-GRANT COLLEGES (NASULGC) IN ORDER TO EXPAND THE VARIETY OF SCIENTIFIC TOPICS OFFERED AND TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FELLOWSHIPS TO TRADITIONALLY MINORITY-SERVING ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS. WE WELCOME THIS PROGRAM AND URGE POSTS TO CONSIDER PROPOSALS THAT WOULD ENGAGE THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY. POSTS MUST AGREE TO PROVIDE EQUIVALENT ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT (WITH SOME MINOR EXCEPTIONS) FOR NASULGC FELLOWS AS IF THEY WORKED FOR A PARTICIPATING USG AGENCY. NASULGC WILL ONLY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAME COSTS AS A USG PARTICIPATING AGENCY. (ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE POST IF A NASULGC CANDIDATE IS OFFERED.) MORE INFORMATION ABOUT NASULGC IS IN PARA. 24. ¶4. (U) SCIENCE AND DIPLOMACY FELLOWS WORKING AT STATE AND USAID ARE ANOTHER POSSIBLE POOL OF TALENT FOR THE ESFP, DEPENDING ON THEIR HOST OFFICES' WILLINGNESS TO FUND THEIR PARTICIPATION. THESE PHD SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS ARE WORKING AT STATE AND USAID ON 1-2 YEAR ASSIGNMENTS UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE (AAAS) PROGRAM, THE JEFFERSON SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM, THE FOSTER FELLOWS PROGRAM AND OTHER FELLOWSHIPS SPONSORED BY U.S. PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES. ALL FELLOWS WORKING AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT HOLD SECURITY CLEARANCES AT VARIOUS LEVELS, WHILE CLEARANCES MAY OR MAY NOT BE REQUIRED AT USAID. THEY HAVE THE OBVIOUS ADVANTAGE OF DIRECT EXPERIENCE IN STATE DEPARTMENT AND USAID OFFICES TO BRING KNOWLEDGE OF STATECRAFT, CULTURE AND POLICY, AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS TO PROSPECTIVE ESFP ASSIGNMENTS. THESE STAFF WILL BECOME PART OF THE SAME, OPEN COMPETITIVE PROCESS USED TO FULFILL REQUESTS, AND IF SELECTED, WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES AS OUTLINED IN PARA. 14. TIMING AND FUNDING ¶5. (U) TIMING: POSTS INTERESTED IN HOSTING AN EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOW ARE ASKED TO RESPOND WITH A CABLE EXPRESSING INTEREST AND DETAILING THE PROPOSED SPECIFIC WORK PROJECTS THAT WOULD BE THE FOCUS OF THE FELLOW'S VISIT. SUCCESSFUL PROPOSALS SUBMITTED DURING THIS CYCLE WILL BE FILLED IN FALL 2009 OR SPRING/SUMMER 2010 DUE TO THE PERSONAL AVAILABILITY OF THE APPLICANTS AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING. FELLOWS COMING THROUGH THE USDA-NASULGC GRANT WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE IN MOST CASES UNTIL SUMMER 2010 DUE TO THEIR ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITIES. TO RECEIVE FIRST CONSIDERATION, POSTS SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR REQUEST AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND PREFERABLY BY MARCH 5, 2009. REQUESTS RECEIVED AFTER THIS TIME WILL BE FORWARDED TO AGENCY PARTNERS, BUT ARE UNLIKELY TO BE CONSIDERED OR FILLED UNTIL THE 2010 CYCLE. THE ESFP IS AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT IN OUR EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH GENUINE PARTNERSHIPS WITH SCIENTISTS IN THE MUSLIM WORLD AND, AS A RESULT, OES IS PREPARED TO GIVE SPECIAL CONSIDERATION TO REQUESTS FOR A FELLOW FROM POSTS IN ANY OF THE 57 MEMBER STATES OF THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE (OIC). OES WILL GO EXTRA LENGTHS TO ASSIST POSTS AND AGENCIES TO ELIMINATE ANY IMPEDIMENTS TO PLACEMENT IN OIC COUNTRIES. HOWEVER, EQUAL PRIORITY WILL ALSO BE GIVEN TO POSTS THAT HAVE NEVER HOSTED A FELLOW. ¶6. (U) FUNDING: OVERALL DECREASES IN AGENCY FUNDING ARE LIKELY TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON THIS YEAR'S AGENCY PARTICIPATION IN ESFP. OES IS ANTICIPATING THAT THERE WILL BE FEWER FELLOWS FROM CERTAIN AGENCIES. THE FELLOW'S AGENCY WILL FUND HIS/HER SALARY (AND IN SOME CASES, DIFFERENTIAL/DANGER PAY),NON-LODGING PER DIEM, INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL COSTS AND FSI TRAINING. (ON AVERAGE, THE AGENCY COST TO SEND A FELLOW TO POST IS APPROXIMATELY $10,000, NOT INCLUDING SALARY.) POSTS MUST PROVIDE HOUSING, OFFICE SPACE, COMPUTER, E- MAIL/INTERNET ACCESS, AND LOCAL TRAVEL COSTS FROM ITS OWN RESOURCES. POSTS MUST ALSO PROVIDE CASHIER, MAIL AND MEDICAL SERVICES. POSTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO EXPLORE ALL IN-COUNTRY SOURCES OF SUPPORT IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE A FELLOW. IN SOME CASES, POSTS MAY WORK WITH A HOST ENTITY TO ACCEPT HOUSING PER THE GUIDELINES ON INVITATIONAL TRAVEL AS OUTLINED IN 2 FAM 962.1-8. PLEASE SEE PARA. 14 FOR MORE ON ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT. POSTS SHOULD CONFIRM FULL COUNTRY TEAM CONCURRENCE WHEN SUBMITTING PROPOSALS FOR FELLOWS, INCLUDING THE RSO AND MANAGEMENT OFFICES. OES WILL NOT FORWARD PROPOSALS TO AGENCIES THAT LACK A POST COMMITMENT TO FUNDING ITS SHARE OF THE PROGRAM AND OES DOES NOT HAVE FUNDING FOR THIS PROGRAM. REGIONAL BUREAUS CANNOT PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THIS PROGRAM DUE TO SEVERE BUDGET CONSTRAINTS. HOWEVER, THERE IS NO OBJECTION IF POSTS FUND THIS PROGRAM OUT OF EXISTING DCP ALLOTMENTS. PROPOSAL TYPES AND WORK ASSIGNMENTS ¶7. (U) THE ESFP ALLOWS POSTS TO DEMONSTRATE U.S. INTEREST IN A COUNTRY'S SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVES, AND SENDS THE PUBLIC A STRONG SIGNAL THAT THE U.S. IS A SCIENCE COLLABORATOR. THE DIVERSITY OF PARTICIPATING AGENCIES ENSURES THAT A VARIETY OF PROPOSALS ACROSS A BROAD RANGE OF DISCIPLINES CAN BE REQUESTED. SOME TOPICS INCLUDE: --CLIMATE CHANGE AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES --ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES AND ENERGY SECURITY --ADVANCED COMPUTER NETWORKING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY --NANOTECHNOLOGY --UNDERSTANDING COMPLEX BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY --COASTAL AND MARINE ECOSYSTEMS MANAGEMENT --AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT --ENGINEERING OF ALL KINDS --MEASUREMENT SCIENCES AND STANDARDS --HUMAN HEALTH, INCLUDING CHRONIC DISEASES --MUSEUM DEVELOPMENT, ANTHROPOLOGY, AND COLLECTION CONSERVATION ¶8. (U) IN RECENT YEARS, OES/STC HAS SEEN A SHIFT TO MOSTLY ENVIRONMENTAL PROPOSALS. WHILE EPA DOES AN OUTSTANDING JOB IN PROVIDING FELLOWS TO THE PROGRAM, OES/STC ENCOURAGES POSTS TO OFFER OPPORTUNITIES THAT CAN BE FILLED BY THE OTHER AGENCIES. THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE) IS NOT A PARTICIPATING AGENCY IN ESFP. WE HAVE SUBMITTED ENERGY-RELATED PROPOSALS TO DOE THAT COULD NOT BE FILLED BY OTHER AGENCIES, BUT SO FAR, NO FUNDING IS AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT ANY REQUESTS MADE THROUGH THE PROGRAM. DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PARTICIPATING AGENCIES AND EXAMPLES OF THE TYPES OF WORK CONDUCTED BY ESFERS ARE CONTAINED IN PARAS. 20-30. ¶9. (U) ONCE A POST AND A FELLOW ARE MATCHED, THE POST AND THE FELLOW WILL COME TO AGREEMENT ON THE LENGTH OF TIME--AT LEAST ONE MONTH BUT NOT TO EXCEED THREE MONTHS- -THAT THE FELLOW WILL SPEND AT POST. DURING THAT TIME, THE FELLOW WILL SERVE AS A "SCIENTIFIC CONSULTANT" TO POST AND WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH POST'S ENVIRONMENT, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND HEALTH (ESTH) COUNSELOR/OFFICER, AND/OR OTHER APPROPRIATE EMBASSY AGENCY STAFF (E.G., ECONOMIC OR POLITICAL OFFICERS, USAID, ETC.) INVOLVED IN ESTH ISSUES. DEPENDING ON POST'S NEEDS, THE FELLOW MIGHT BE ASKED TO: -- MEET WITH HOST-COUNTRY COLLEAGUES IN MINISTRIES, UNIVERSITIES, AND OTHER RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS; -- VISIT SITES WHERE IMPORTANT S&T ACTIVITIES/PROJECTS OCCUR OR ARE PLANNED; --GIVE MEDIA INTERVIEWS, PUBLIC SPEECHES, OR PERFORM OTHER PUBLIC DIPLOMACY PROGRAMMING AS APPROPRIATE TO POST'S GOALS; -- ASSIST WITH PREPARATIONS FOR MAJOR INTERNATIONAL S&T CONFERENCES TAKING PLACE IN THE HOST COUNTRY; -- CONDUCT RESEARCH, SURVEYS, INTERVIEWS OR ASSESSMENTS ON S&T TOPICS OF IMPORTANCE TO POST; -- FURNISH EXPERT ADVICE AND CONSULTATION TO HOST COUNTRY COLLEAGUES, OFFICIALS OR INSTITUTIONS; -- WRITE REPORTS OF A TECHNICAL NATURE, WHICH MAY BE USED IN EMBASSY REPORTING OR AS BACKGROUND FOR POST POLICY PLANNING; -- FACILITATE CONTACTS AND TIES BETWEEN THE HOST COUNTRY'S S&T COMMUNITY AND U.S. COUNTERPARTS; AND/OR -- PROVIDE EXPERT INPUT FOR THE FORMULATION OF FOREIGN POLICY AND BILATERAL ACTIVITIES. SECURITY CLEARANCES AND UNACCOMPANIED POSTS ¶10. (SBU) SECURITY CLEARANCES: MOST USG FELLOWS (AND THOSE COMING FROM THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY) WILL NOT HAVE SECURITY CLEARANCES. POST COORDINATORS, WORKING WITH THEIR RSOS, SHOULD GIVE CAREFUL CONSIDERATION TO THE NEED FOR CLEARANCES DUE TO THE LENGTHY TIME REQUIRED TO OBTAIN THEM, USUALLY IN EXCESS OF 6 MONTHS. CLEARANCES SHOULD ONLY BE REQUESTED IF THE FELLOW NEEDS ACCESS TO CLASSIFIED MATERIALS. IN PRACTICE, MOST FELLOWS HAVE HAD LITTLE ACCESS TO OR CONTACT WITH CLASSIFIED INFORMATION, NOR DO THEY HAVE FREQUENT NEED TO GO INTO CLASSIFIED AREAS. POSTS ARE STRONGLY DISCOURAGED FROM APPLYING FOR A SECURITY CLEARANCE JUST TO "FIND A PLACE TO SIT". FOR THOSE FELLOWS WHO ALREADY HOLD A USG SECURITY CLEARANCE, EXPECT 2 MONTHS FOR DIPLOMATIC SECURITY TO CONFIRM RECIPROCITY. OES AND THE PARTICIPATING AGENCIES DO NOT HAVE FUNDING TO COVER THE COST OF INVESTIGATIONS. ALL FELLOWS, INCLUDING THOSE FROM NASULGC, WILL BE ASKED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF OR UNDERGO A NACI (NATIONAL CRIMINAL CHECK) PRIOR TO COMING TO POST. UNACCOMPANIED POSTS: POSTS THAT ARE OPERATING UNDER UNACCOMPANIED TOUR STATUS FOR PERSONNEL SHOULD DISCUSS SECURITY RESTRICTIONS WITH THE RSO PRIOR TO SUBMITTING THEIR PROPOSAL. THE CABLE MUST EXPLICITLY STATE THAT THE EMBASSY RSO OFFICE HAS CLEARED. OES DOES NOT WANT TO SOLICIT AGENCY APPLICANTS AND HAVE ASSIGNMENTS CANCELLED LATER DUE TO SECURITY CONCERNS. SELECTION, TRAINING, ORIENTATION AND OUTCOMES ¶11. (U) ONCE A POST HAS SUBMITTED A PROPOSAL BY CABLE, THE ESFP COORDINATOR IN OES/STC WILL DISTRIBUTE IT TO THE PARTICIPATING AGENCY COORDINATORS TO SOLICIT APPLICANTS. AGENCIES APPRECIATE THAT POSTS MAY HAVE ALREADY IDENTIFIED QUALIFIED STAFF FOR THE PROGRAM. HOWEVER, MOST AGENCIES CONSIDER THE ESF PROGRAM TO BE AN OPEN, COMPETITIVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES. AGENCIES RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CIRCULATE THE PROPOSAL IF THEY BELIEVE THERE MAY BE SEVERAL APPROPRIATE CANDIDATES. THE PROGRAM COORDINATOR WILL CIRCULATE THE PROPOSAL BROADLY AMONG THE AGENCIES TO FIND AS MANY QUALIFIED APPLICANTS AS POSSIBLE. GENERALLY, POSTS CAN EXPECT TO GET A STATUS REPORT WITHIN 60 DAYS AFTER THE CLOSE OF SUBMISSIONS. ¶12. (U) AGENCIES WILL THEN SUBMIT QUALIFIED APPLICANTS TO THE OES PROGRAM COORDINATOR AND SHE WILL SEND THEM TO POST FOR REVIEW AND SELECTION. IF THE PROPOSAL HAS MORE THAN ONE APPLICANT, THE COORDINATOR WILL SEND ALL APPLICATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE POST AT THE SAME TIME. ONCE THE POST HAS MADE A FINAL SELECTION, THE POST SHOULD INFORM THE PROGRAM COORDINATOR WHO WILL DIRECTLY NOTIFY THE SELECTED CANDIDATE AND THE PARENT AGENCY VIA E-MAIL, WITH A COPY TO POST. FELLOWS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT THE POST COORDINATOR TO WORK OUT SPECIFIC DATES AND THE PROGRAM OF WORK. THE FELLOW WILL WORK WITH THEIR AGENCY AND THE OES PROGRAM COORDINATOR ON LOGISTICAL AND PROGRAM SUPPORT. ¶13. (U) FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSING, SELECTED CANDIDATES ARE REQUIRED TO: A) HAVE A PHYSICAL AND OBTAIN A MEDICAL CLEARANCE FROM M/MED IF AT POST FOR MORE THAN 60 DAYS. B) PROVIDE PROOF OF A NACI AND/OR SECURITY CLEARANCE OR HAVE A NACI DONE BY STATE'S DIPLOMATIC SECURITY OFFICE. IF THEY ALREADY HAVE A SECURITY CLEARANCE, OES/STC WILL REQUEST RECIPROCITY FROM DIPLOMATIC SECURITY, C) TAKE THE SAFE SUITE OF COURSES AS REQUIRED BY DIPLOMATIC SECURITY WHICH INCLUDES AN ONLINE COURSE IN EMBASSY OPERATIONS AND TAKE THE SECURITY OVERSEAS SEMINAR (SOS) COURSE AT FSI IN PERSON. ADDITIONAL COURSES MAY BE REQUIRED DEPENDING ON DESTINATION. D) WORK WITHIN THEIR AGENCY TO MEET ANY AGENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR OVERSEAS TRAVEL, INCLUDING BOOKING FLIGHTS. E) WORK WITH POST TO DEVELOP A CLEAR OBJECTIVE FOR THEIR FELLOWSHIP IN ADVANCE OF THEIR ARRIVAL, AS WELL AS CLARIFY ANY LOGISTICAL/SUPPORT ISSUES. F) WORK WITH THE OES PROGRAM COORDINATOR TO OBTAIN ANY BACKGROUND INFORMATION OR BRIEFINGS IN DC. MANY FELLOWS DO NOT WORK IN THE DC AREA. ¶14. (U) WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE COMPLETION OF THE FELLOWSHIP, FELLOWS WILL BE ASKED TO PROVIDE A REPORT OF THEIR WORK TO THE POST, PARENT AGENCY AND OES/STC. OES/STC STAFF WILL CIRCULATE THE REPORT TO OTHER INTERESTED USG CONTACTS. IN ADDITION, BOTH POST AND THE FELLOW ARE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE SEPARATE EVALUATIONS OF THE EXPERIENCE TO OES PROGRAM COORDINATOR WHO WILL SHARE THEM WITH THE PARENT AGENCY. THE EVALUATIONS ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE TIME-CONSUMING, BUT PROVIDE A USEFUL BASIS FOR THE PARTICIPATING AGENCIES TO ASSESS THE VALUE OF THE PROGRAM, YIELD INSIGHTS INTO HOW THE PROGRAM MIGHT BE IMPROVED, AND PROVIDE SUGGESTED AREAS FOR WORK OR COLLABORATION FOR FUTURE FELLOWS. ¶15. (U) IMPORTANT ADMINISTRATIVE AND LOGISTICAL INFORMATION FOR FELLOWS AND POSTS: A) USG FELLOWS WILL BE ON TDY FROM THEIR PARENT AGENCY, AND THEREFORE WILL NOT REQUIRE THAT POST PERFORM PAYROLL OR POSITION MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS. B) POST MUST PROVIDE ALL FELLOWS WITH HOUSING, OFFICE SPACE, COMPUTER/E-MAIL/INTERNET ACCESS, MAIL (POUCH OR APO),ACCESS TO THE POST HEALTH UNIT, CHECK CASHING, CLO (ORIENTATION) AND COVER IN-COUNTRY WORK-RELATED TRAVEL COSTS FROM POST RESOURCES AS PART OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S SHARE OF COSTS OF THE ESFP. THIS INCLUDES LOCAL TRANSPORTATION FOR OFFICIAL BUSINESS. NO ICASS CHARGES ARE TO BE ASSESSED TO THE PARTICIPATING AGENCIES. FELLOWS MAY ALSO BE ALLOWED TO USE RECREATIONAL ASSOCIATION FACILITIES, TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH ASSOCIATION RULES ON TDYERS. C) POST SHOULD ANTICIPATE COMMITTING SUFFICIENT RESOURCES TO OTHER SUPPLEMENTARY COSTS THAT THE FELLOW MAY INCUR IN CARRYING OUT HIS/HER DUTIES FOR POST, EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT SPECIFICALLY OUTLINED IN THIS CABLE (FOR EXAMPLE, PROVIDING A CELL PHONE IF STAFF AT POST ARE EXPECTED TO CARRY ONE). IF POST ANTICIPATES THAT CERTAIN COSTS OF THE FELLOWSHIP CANNOT BE COVERED, IT MUST RELAY THIS INFORMATION TO THE FELLOW AND THE PARENT AGENCY AT LEAST 60 DAYS PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE FELLOWSHIP, IF NOT SOONER. D) FELLOWS MAY WORK PROGRAMMATICALLY WITH OFFICERS OF OTHER AGENCIES AT POST, BUT STATE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL LOGISTICAL SUPPORT AND ITS COSTS. THEREFORE, A STATE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE MUST BE NAMED AS THE POST COORDINATOR AND ACT AS THE PRINCIPAL LIAISON FOR THE FELLOW. E) FELLOWS WILL NOT CARRY DIPLOMATIC TITLES AND THUS DO NOT NEED TO BE REPORTED TO THE HOST GOVERNMENT. F) USG FELLOWS WILL TRAVEL ON OFFICIAL PASSPORTS WITH OFFICIAL TRAVEL ORDERS. FELLOWS ON USDA-NASULGC GRANTS WILL TRAVEL ON REGULAR PASSPORTS. FELLOWS WILL NEED TO REQUEST AND BE GRANTED COUNTRY CLEARANCE PRIOR TO DEPARTING FOR POST. POST SHOULD ADVISE THE FELLOW OF THE HOST COUNTRY'S VISA/ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS AND OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION NORMALLY INCLUDED IN A "WELCOME TO POST" MESSAGE WHICH CAN BE SENT BY CABLE OR E-MAIL VIA THE OES PROGRAM COORDINATOR. G) THE AGENCY AND OES PROGRAM COORDINATORS STRONGLY DISCOURAGE ACCOMPANYING FAMILY MEMBERS. THE POST HAS THE FULL AUTHORITY TO REFUSE ACCOMMODATING ANYONE EXCEPT THE FELLOW AT POST DURING THE TIME OF THE ASSIGNMENT. THE RSO AND MANAGEMENT OFFICES HAVE THE FINAL SAY IN WHO MAY BE HOUSED AT POST. IF A FAMILY MEMBER DOES TRAVEL PRIVATELY, POST WILL NOT BE ASKED TO PROVIDE ANY SUPPORT TO THEM. H) USG EMPLOYEES ASSIGNED ABROAD FOR A PERIOD EQUAL TO SIXTY (60) DAYS OR MORE DURING A CALENDAR YEAR MUST OBTAIN A MEDICAL CLEARANCE FROM THE DEPARTMENT'S OFFICE OF MEDICAL SERVICES (M/MED). POSTS ARE ASKED TO SPECIFY THE EXACT LENGTH OF THE FELLOWSHIP IN ORDER TO DETERMINE WHETHER A MEDICAL CLEARANCE IS NECESSARY. I) ALL EMPLOYEES TEMPORARILY ASSIGNED OVERSEAS FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME MUST BE IN POSSESSION OF MEDICAL INSURANCE, HOSPITALIZATION INSURANCE, INSURANCE TO COVER GENERAL MEDICAL EMERGENCIES, COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE AND MEDICAL INSURANCE THAT INCLUDES AIR MEDICAL EVACUATION COVERAGE FOR USE IN THE EVENT A MEDICAL EVACUATION FROM POST IS NECESSARY. J) USG EMPLOYEES, WHO REQUEST COUNTRY CLEARANCE TO PERFORM EXTENDED TEMPORARY DUTY (TDY, DEFINED AS MORE THAN 30 DAYS) AT AN OVERSEAS LOCATION MUST COMPLETE APPROPRIATE OVERSEAS PERSONAL SECURITY TRAINING PRIOR TO THEIR TRAVEL. IN ALMOST ALL CASES, FELLOWS MUST TAKE THE "SAFE" SET OF COURSES (SECURITY OVERSEAS SEMINAR AND WORKING IN AN EMBASSY) AT THE FOREIGN SERVICE INSTITUTE (FSI) IN ARLINGTON, VA. TRAINING COSTS ARE COVERED BY THE PARENT AGENCY. K) TO PREPARE FELLOWS FOR ASSIGNMENTS, OES/STC STAFF CAN ARRANGE FOR AN ORIENTATION SESSION AT FSI'S OVERSEAS BRIEFING CENTER, WHICH PROVIDES FELLOWS WITH INFORMATION ON THEIR HOST COUNTRY. OES/STC CAN ALSO ARRANGE FOR CONSULTATION APPOINTMENTS, WHICH CAN PROVIDE FURTHER BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THEIR ASSIGNMENT. PREPARATION AT POST ¶16. (U) PRIOR TO A FELLOW'S ARRIVAL, THE POST AND FELLOW ARE ENCOURAGED TO WORK TOGETHER DIRECTLY ON THE SPECIFIC DETAILS OF THE ASSIGNMENT, BOTH PROGRAMMATIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE. BEFORE THE FELLOW ARRIVES, POST IS URGED TO SEND APPROPRIATE BRIEFING MATERIALS AND ARRANGE AND SCHEDULE APPOINTMENTS WITH IMPORTANT CONTACTS IN HOST COUNTRY MINISTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS IN ORDER TO MAXIMIZE THE FELLOW'S TIME AT POST. IN ADDITION, ALL THE NECESSARY ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE MANAGEMENT SECTION SHOULD BE IN PLACE PRIOR TO THE FELLOW'S ARRIVAL TO PERMIT HIM/HER TO FOCUS IMMEDIATELY ON WORK ASSIGNMENTS. IT IS ALSO CRUCIAL FOR THE EMBASSY TO DESIGNATE A SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT FROM STATE FOR THE FELLOW, ALONG WITH A BACKUP OR SUCCESSOR. THE POST NEEDS TO CONFIRM HOUSING ACCOMMODATIONS BEFORE ARRIVAL AS PART OF THE PREPARATION PROCESS. ACTION REQUESTED: ¶17. (U) POSTS INTERESTED IN HOSTING AN EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOW ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT NEW OR UPDATED PROPOSALS BY CABLE SLUGGED FOR OES/STC, ATTENTION EILEEN KANE, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, BUT NO LATER THAN MARCH 6, 2009 FOR PLACEMENT IN THIS CALENDAR YEAR OR IN EARLY 2010. PROPOSALS RECEIVED AFTER MARCH 6 WILL RECEIVE SECOND PRIORITY FOR PLACEMENT IN 2009. THE PROPOSAL CABLE SHOULD IDENTIFY A POINT OF CONTACT, E-MAIL, PHONE AND FAX NUMBERS. MS. KANE WILL SERVE AS THE LIAISON FOR THE DEPARTMENT, POST, FELLOW, AND THE FELLOW'S PARENT AGENCY. MS. KANE CAN BE REACHED VIA E-MAIL AT KANEEH@STATE.GOV OR TELEPHONE AT (202)663-2393. PLEASE ALSO SEND AN E-MAIL TO MS. KANE, NOTING THAT A CABLE HAS BEEN SENT. MISSION AGENCIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO WORK TOGETHER TO IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAY BENEFIT FROM A CONSULTING SCIENTIST. THE NETWORK OF REGIONAL ENVIRONMENT, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND HEALTH (ESTH) HUB OFFICERS IS AVAILABLE TO ASSIST SMALLER POSTS IN PREPARING THEIR PROPOSALS. NEIGHBORING POSTS ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO WORK WITH THE HUB OFFICER TO DEVELOP PROPOSALS WHICH INVOLVE CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION. THE CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE HUB OFFICERS CAN BE FOUND ON THE OES WEBPAGE UNDER OES OVERSEAS: WWW.STATE.GOV/G/OES/HUB/ IMPORTANT POINTS TO INCLUDE IN A PROPOSAL ¶18. (U) PLEASE NOTE THAT A STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICER MUST BE NAMED AS THE OFFICIAL POST COORDINATOR AND STATE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FUNDING THE FELLOW. NAMING OTHER AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES HAS CAUSED CONFUSION REGARDING FELLOW SUPPORT. OES INVITES COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS IN ADVANCE. SPECIFIC INQUIRIES ABOUT THE PROPOSAL FEASIBILITY OR LOGISTICS OF HOSTING A FELLOW, PARTICULARLY FOR PLACEMENT IN AN OIC-MEMBER COUNTRY ARE ENCOURAGED. THE PARTICIPATING AGENCIES HAVE ASKED THAT PROPOSALS NOT BE TARGETED TO A SPECIFIC AGENCY, BUT SHOULD BE SPECIFIC AS TO THE PROJECT OR SKILLS REQUIRED BY THE ACTIVITY. FOR EXAMPLE, A USGS STAFFER MIGHT EASILY BE ABLE TO FULFILL A SLOT THAT MOST WOULD THINK WAS AN EPA-ONLY FUNCTION. ¶19. (U) PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING OUTLINE SO THAT CABLES CAN BE EASILY CIRCULATED WITHIN AGENCIES AND TO NASULGC. THIS WILL ENSURE A SIMPLE REDACTION OF THE CONTENTS BY STAFF: CABLE SUBJECT LINE: EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS PROGRAM 2009 (COUNTRY NAME) PARA 1: SUBJECT OF PROPOSAL AND GENERAL INFORMATION: -- TOPIC -- NAME OF RELEVANT MINISTRY, UNIVERSITY OR HOST INSTITUTION. -- PREFERRED TIME FRAME AND LENGTH OF FELLOWSHIP. GIVE SPECIFIC DATES IF POSSIBLE OR IF THE TIMEFRAME IS FLEXIBLE. INDICATE IF A MEDICAL CLEARANCE IS NECESSARY (REQUIRED FOR A STAY OF MORE THAN 59 DAYS.) -- INCLUDE ANY ADDITIONAL SKILLS THAT A SUCCESSFUL FELLOW SHOULD POSSESS, I.E., LANGUAGE SKILLS, TEACHING EXPERIENCE, ETC. -- STATE WHETHER A SECURITY CLEARANCE IS REQUIRED FOR WORK AND IF SO, WHAT LEVEL. PARA 2: PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION --POSTS WISHING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM SHOULD SUBMIT A DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC WORK PROJECTS ENVISIONED FOR THE FELLOW. PLEASE INCLUDE RELEVANT BACKGROUND INFORMATION VALIDATING THE PROPOSAL. THE PROPOSED WORK PROGRAM WILL FIGURE PROMINENTLY IN MATCHING FELLOWS WITH POSTS, SO SPECIFIC DETAILS ARE HELPFUL. AGENCIES AT POST SHOULD WORK TOGETHER TO IDENTIFY WORK ASSIGNMENTS THAT FULFILL POST OBJECTIVES. THE PROPOSAL SHOULD ALSO DESCRIBE THE AREAS OF SCIENTIFIC EXPERTISE OR DISCIPLINE DESIRED/NEEDED TO ACCOMPLISH THE WORK PROGRAM. PARA 3: ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT -- THE PROPOSAL MUST EXPLICITLY STATE POST'S COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE HOUSING, OFFICE SUPPORT, AND IN-COUNTRY TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS (IF APPLICABLE),AND ANY OTHER LOGISTICAL SUPPORT INFORMATION, INCLUDING THE TYPE OF HOUSING IF KNOWN. THE CABLE MUST BE CLEARED BY THE POST'S FRONT OFFICE, MANAGEMENT AND RSO SECTIONS. PARA 4: RSO CONCURRENCE --RSO CLEARANCE (EXPLICITLY STATED) IS REQUIRED BY COUNTRIES IN UNACCOMPANIED TOUR STATUS. PARA 5: CONTACT INFORMATION -- THE PROPOSAL MUST PROVIDE A STATE DEPARTMENT POINT OF CONTACT AT POST WITH ALL NECESSARY CONTACT INFORMATION, INCLUDING DIRECT PHONE AND FAX NUMBERS, AND NAME OF A BACK-UP. IF THE REQUESTING OFFICER IS DUE TO LEAVE POST BEFORE FALL 2009, PLEASE PROVIDE THE NAME OF HIS/HER SUCCESSOR FOR CONTINUITY. PLEASE SEND AN E-MAIL ON THE UNCLASSIFIED SYSTEM TO OES/STC COORDINATOR EILEEN KANE AT KANEEH@STATE.GOV INFORMING HER WHEN THE CABLE IS SENT. ¶20. (U) ALL PROPOSALS THAT MEET THE ABOVE GUIDELINES WILL BE PASSED TO PARTICIPATING AGENCIES FOR REVIEW. AGENCY DESCRIPTIONS NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION ¶21. (U) THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (NSF) IS THE ONLY FEDERAL AGENCY WHOSE MISSION INCLUDES SUPPORT FOR ALL FIELDS OF FUNDAMENTAL SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING RESEARCH AND EDUCATION. NSF IS TASKED WITH KEEPING THE UNITED STATES AT THE LEADING EDGE OF DISCOVERY IN A WIDE RANGE OF SCIENTIFIC AREAS, FROM ASTRONOMY TO ENGINEERING TO ZOOLOGY. THIS INCLUDES DETERMINING WHERE THE FRONTIERS ARE, IDENTIFYING THE U.S. PIONEERS IN THESE FIELDS, AND ENABLING THEIR RESEARCH, WHICH CAN BE TRANSFORMATIVE. IN ADDITION TO FUNDING RESEARCH IN TRADITIONAL ACADEMIC AREAS, THE AGENCY ALSO SUPPORTS "HIGH RISK, HIGH PAYOFF" IDEAS, NOVEL COLLABORATIONS, AND NUMEROUS FUTURISTIC PROJECTS. CURRENT NSF-WIDE INITIATIVE AREAS INCLUDE ADAPTIVE SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGY, CLIMATE CHANGE SCIENCE, CYBERINFRASTRUCTURE, CYBER-ENABLED DISCOVERY AND INNOVATION, DYNAMICS OF WATER PROCESSES IN THE ENVIRONMENT, NATIONAL NANOTECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE, NETWORKING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY R&D, SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING BEYOND MOORE'S LAW, AND THE ENVIRONMENT. WWW.NSF.GOV/NEWS/PRIORITY_AREAS/ ¶22. (U) NSF WELCOMES REQUESTS FOR EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS AND ENABLES NSF STAFF TO OFFER THEIR EXPERTISE IN SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, IT AND ENGINEERING TO FORTIFY THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S WORK ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ISSUES. AT THE SAME TIME, FELLOWSHIPS PROVIDE A UNIQUE INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR NSF STAFF. FROM ITS POOL OF NEARLY 500 SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS REPRESENTING ALL MAJOR DISCIPLINES, NSF HAS SENT 38 FELLOWS OVERSEAS SINCE 2001. PROPOSALS SUITABLE FOR NSF WILL INCLUDE REQUESTS FOR ASSESSMENTS OF SCIENTIFIC CAPACITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE AS WELL AS EVALUATING S&T PRIORITIES IN HOST COUNTRIES WITH THE VIEW OF EXPANDING COOPERATION WITH THE UNITED STATES. NSF IS ALSO INTERESTED IN DEVELOPING STRATEGIC RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS AND SO WELCOMES WORK THAT IMPROVES THE UNDERSTANDING OF AN ORGANIZATION'S SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND EDUCATION CAPABILITIES. NSF STAFF CAN SERVE AS CONSULTANTS ON COOPERATION, INNOVATION, TECHNOLOGY AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER. NSF'S SKILL BASE IS VERY BROAD, INNOVATIVE, AND ADAPTIVE TO MOST SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL CHALLENGES, INCLUDING SUCH AREAS AS ALTERNATIVE ENERGY, CLIMATE CHANGE, NANOTECHNOLOGY, BIOTECHNOLOGY AND IT. ¶23. (U) EXAMPLES OF ESF ASSIGNMENTS THAT NSF STAFF HAVE UNDERTAKEN INCLUDED ASSESSING PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO LAUNCH HIGH-RISK/HIGH-REWARD TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS IN PORTUGAL; STUDYING NATURAL ENERGY RESOURCES AND THE FEASIBILITY OF TRANSITIONING TO A HYDROGEN ECONOMY IN ICELAND; EVALUATING UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION IN THE UKRAINE; IDENTIFYING CUTTING-EDGE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES IN CHILE; AND STUDYING GREEN CHEMISTRY AND THE STATE OF NANOTECHNOLOGY R&D IN JAPAN AS WELL AS CONSULTANCIES ON S&T INNOVATION IN JORDAN, RUSSIA AND ITALY. WEBSITE: WWW.NSF.GOV. U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY ¶24. (U) THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY (USGS) IS THE EARTH SCIENCE AGENCY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR, EMPLOYING OVER 5,000 SCIENTISTS IN THE DISCIPLINES OF GEOGRAPHY AND MAPPING, GEOLOGY, BIOLOGY, BIODIVERSITY AND HYDROLOGY. USGS MANAGES THE GLOBAL SEISMIC NETWORK AND HAS EXPERTISE IN NATURAL HAZARDS (EARTHQUAKE, VOLCANO, FLOODS AND LANDSLIDE) MONITORING AND MITIGATION; GROUNDWATER AND SURFACE WATER QUALITY MONITORING; SUBSURFACE MINERAL AND ENERGY RESOURCE ASSESSMENT; DEVELOPING AND USING BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS; AVIAN INFLUENZA, AND ENDANGERED SPECIES HABITAT STUDIES. IN ADDITION, USGS HAS DECADES OF EXPERIENCE IN THE UTILIZATION OF REMOTE SENSING AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INCLUDING MANAGEMENT OF THE LANDSAT SATELLITE SYSTEM AND THE REMOTE SENSING ARCHIVES AT THE NATIONAL EROS DATA CENTER. SINCE 2002, USGS HAS SENT OVER A DOZEN FELLOWS OVERSEAS AS PART OF THE ESFP. PROPOSALS SUITABLE FOR USGS AND ITS SCIENTISTS WILL TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE AGENCY'S ACCESS TO A BROAD ARRAY OF TECHNICAL AND PERSONNEL CAPABILITIES RELATED TO LAND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, BOTH IN BASIC RESEARCH AND APPLIED SCIENCES. USGS CAN ALSO ADVERTISE FOR SCIENTISTS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR. RECENT ESF ASSIGNMENTS FOR USGS FELLOWS HAVE INCLUDED WORKING ON WATER MANAGEMENT IN MEXICO; RANGE MANAGEMENT IN KENYA; TEACHING AND RESEARCH USE OF REMOTE SENSING/GIS APPLICATIONS IN SRI LANKA; STUDYING ARSENIC IN THE WATER SUPPLY IN BANGLADESH AND NEPAL; ASSESSING MEDICAL GEOLOGY PROBLEMS IN MINING IN SOUTH AFRICA; WORKING ON VOLCANIC HAZARD MITIGATION AND PUBLIC OUTREACH IN ECUADOR; ADVISING THE U.S. EMBASSY ON BETTER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND POLICIES TO MITIGATE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF GOLD MINING IN SURINAM; AND ADVISING ON MINING POLICY IN THE PHILIPPINES. WEBSITE: WWW.USGS.GOV. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ¶25. (U) THE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) IS A LEADER IN A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECTS THAT ADDRESS NATIONAL PRIORITIES. THESE INCLUDE GENETIC RESOURCES, AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY, AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS, PLANT AND ANIMAL HEALTH, AND TRADE-RELATED POLICIES AND REGULATIONS. THE ESFP PROVIDES USDA GREATER PARTICIPATION IN SETTING NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS, AND OPPORTUNITY TO INFLUENCE FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS AND PUBLIC OPINION ON AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY ISSUES, SCIENCE-BASED RISK ASSESSMENT, AND BIOSAFETY REGULATIONS. SINCE 2002, USDA HAS SPONSORED MORE THAN FIFTY FELLOWS, ADDRESSING ISSUES THAT INCLUDE REDUCING RESTRICTIVE TRADE BARRIERS, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, BIOENERGY, WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, REMOTE SENSING, BIOTECHNOLOGY, FOOD SECURITY, AND AVIAN INFLUENZA. FOR THE 2009 PROGRAM CYCLE, USDA WILL EMPHASIZE PROVIDING SCIENTIFIC AND REGULATORY EXPERTISE TO EXPAND THE GLOBAL AGRICULTURAL TRADING SYSTEM, REDUCE TECHNICAL TRADE BARRIERS, BUILD SCIENTIFIC CAPACITY, AND PRESERVE BIODIVERSITY AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS. USDA FUNDING FOR ESFP PARTICIPANTS MUST BE SPENT BEFORE THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR, SO AN EARLY RESPONSE TO THIS CABLE WOULD BE BENEFICIAL IN SECURING FUNDING. USDA WILL ALSO BE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE AND LAND GRANT COLLEGES TO EXTEND THE ESFP TO THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY. IN THE CURRENT CYCLE, NASULGC IS SENDING FELLOWS TO WORK ON SEPARATE ACTIVITIES IN DISEASE MANAGEMENT IN SHELLFISH, THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIONAL ACTION PLAN ON BIOFUELS AND GRANT-WRITING FOR SCIENTISTS. ALL THESE HAVE AN AGRICULTURAL COMPONENT. WEBSITE: WWW.USDA.GOV AND WWW.FAS.USDA.GOV NASULGC: WWW.NASULGC.ORG NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION ¶26. (U) THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION'S (NOAA) GLOBAL MISSIONS ARE TO UNDERSTAND AND PREDICT CHANGES IN THE EARTH'S ENVIRONMENT AND TO CONSERVE AND MANAGE COASTAL AND MARINE RESOURCES TO MEET THE NATION'S ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL NEEDS. NOAA PRODUCES WEATHER, HYDROLOGICAL, AND CLIMATE PREDICTIONS AND FORECASTS; GUIDES THE USE AND PROTECTION OF OCEAN AND COASTAL RESOURCES, INCLUDING FISHERIES; CHARTS OUR SEAS AND SKIES; AND OPERATES THE SATELLITES, RESEARCH VESSELS, OBSERVATION BUOYS AND OTHER PLATFORMS THAT MAKES ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND DATA COLLECTION POSSIBLE. NOAA'S RESEARCH SPANS FROM THE SURFACE OF THE SUN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN, IN CLIMATE, ATMOSPHERIC, AND SOCIAL SCIENCES. SINCE 2002, NOAA HAS SENT 9 FELLOWS OVERSEAS AND WILL ONLY ACCOMMODATE ESF REQUESTS AS BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS PERMIT. WEBSITE: WWW.NOAA.GOV. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ¶27. (U) THE MISSION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) IS TO PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH AND TO SAFEGUARD THE ENVIRONMENT, AIR, WATER, AND LAND UPON WHICH LIFE DEPENDS. EPA EMPLOYS A HIGHLY EDUCATED, TECHNICALLY TRAINED STAFF, MORE THAN HALF OF WHOM ARE ENGINEERS, SCIENTISTS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SPECIALISTS. THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR RESEARCHING AND SETTING NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR A VARIETY OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS AND ENFORCING REGULATIONS UNDER EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS. EPA ALSO WORKS WITH INDUSTRIES AND ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT IN A WIDE VARIETY OF VOLUNTARY POLLUTION PREVENTION PROGRAMS AND ENERGY CONSERVATION EFFORTS. OVER A SEVEN-YEAR SPAN, MORE THAN 60 EPA FELLOWS HAVE BEEN POSTED TO EMBASSIES WORLDWIDE. ASSIGNMENTS HAVE INCLUDED REMEDIATION PLANNING FOR HAZARDOUS WASTE SITES; DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL PLANS FOR WATER AND AIR POLLUTION REDUCTION, DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PROGRAMS, TRAINING IN ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION DEVELOPMENT AND COMPLIANCE, AND ADVICE ON COUNTRY SPECIFIC RESEARCH QUESTIONS. EPA ADMINISTERS THE ESFP AS AN OPEN, COMPETITIVE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR ITS STAFF AND SOLICITS APPLICATIONS AGENCY WIDE. IN GENERAL, EPA WILL NOT CONSIDER PROPOSALS OUTSIDE THE ANNUAL CYCLE AS DESCRIBED IN THIS CABLE. WEBSITE: WWW.EPA.GOV NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH ¶28. (U) THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH),AN AGENCY WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, IS THE PRIMARY FEDERAL AGENCY FOR CONDUCTING AND SUPPORTING BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH. IT IS THE NATION'S MEDICAL RESEARCH AGENCY, MAKING IMPORTANT MEDICAL DISCOVERIES THAT IMPROVE HEALTH AND SAVE LIVES. SPECIFICALLY, ITS MISSION IS SCIENCE IN PURSUIT OF FUNDAMENTAL KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE NATURE AND BEHAVIOR OF LIVING SYSTEMS AND THE APPLICATION OF THAT KNOWLEDGE TO EXTEND HEALTHY LIFE AND REDUCE THE BURDENS OF ILLNESS AND DISABILITY. COMPOSED OF 27 INSTITUTES AND CENTERS (ICS),NIH PROVIDES LEADERSHIP AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO RESEARCHERS IN EVERY U.S. STATE AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. OF IT'S NEARLY $29 BILLION BUDGET, MORE THAN 80% SUPPORTS GRANTS AND CONTRACTS ON A COMPETITIVE BASIS AT U.S. AND FOREIGN INSTITUTIONS. ABOUT 10% SUPPORTS A VIBRANT INTRAMURAL PROGRAM WHICH IS COMPRISED OF 6,000 WORKING SCIENTISTS, WITH APPROXIMATELY 2,800 OF THEM FROM ABROAD. NIH STAFF INCLUDES EXPERTS IN VIRTUALLY ALL TECHNICAL FIELDS RELATED TO BIOMEDICAL AND BEHAVIORAL RESEARCH. SINCE 2005, NIH HAS PROVIDED 10 ESF FELLOWS WHO ARE EXPERTS IN PREVENTION, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF DISEASE, DISEASE SURVEILLANCE AND MANAGEMENT, AND STRENGTHENING HEALTH RESEARCH AND HEALTH SYSTEM MANAGEMENT. SUCCESSFUL ESF PROGRAMS WITH NIH FELLOWS HAVE PROVIDED ASSISTANCE TO EMBASSIES AND HOST GOVERNMENTS IN THE ASSESSMENT OF MEDICAL AND EDUCATIONAL CAPABILITIES, REVIEWS OF DISEASE RISKS AND RESPONSE, AND ADVICE IN CONNECTION WITH GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS. IN THE 2009 CYCLE, IN ADDITION TO STRONG IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND BASIC IMMUNOLOGY, NIH WOULD WELCOME PROPOSALS FOR NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES SUCH AS STROKE, DIABETES AND HIGH-BLOOD PRESSURE. WEBSITE: WWW.NIH.GOV NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION ¶29. (U) THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION (NASA) CONDUCTS THE CIVIL AEROSPACE PROGRAMS FOR THE U.S. NASA HAS OVER 10,000 SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS WHO MAINTAIN A HUMAN PRESENCE IN SPACE THROUGH OPERATION OF THE SPACE SHUTTLE AND INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION; EXPLORE THE UNIVERSE TO SEEK ANSWERS TO FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ORIGINS OF THE UNIVERSE AND THE EXISTENCE OF LIFE BEYOND OUR PLANET; CONDUCT EARTH REMOTE SENSING FROM SPACECRAFT AND AIRCRAFT AND USE THE RESULTING DATA TO MODEL VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS; AND IMPROVE AVIATION SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY. THE SCALE OF THE RESEARCH EFFORTS CONDUCTED OR MANAGED BY NASA STAFF RANGE FROM STUDYING PROPERTIES AT THE NANOSCALE TO EXPLORING GALAXIES BEYOND OURS. IN ADDITION TO AEROSPACE ENGINEERS AND EARTH AND SPACE SCIENTISTS, NASA ALSO EMPLOYS BIOLOGISTS, AGRONOMISTS, OCEANOGRAPHERS, CHEMISTS, GEOPHYSICISTS, MATERIAL SCIENTISTS, MATHEMATICIANS, METEOROLOGISTS, PHYSIOLOGISTS, AND MEDICAL AND HEALTH PERSONNEL. NASA HAS A BROAD RANGE OF SCIENCE SKILL SETS AMONG ITS STAFF AND HAS SENT 3 FELLOWS OVERSEAS SINCE 2005. NASA WILL ACCOMMODATE ESF REQUESTS AS BUDGETARY AND PERSONNEL CONSTRAINTS PERMIT. WEBSITE: WWW.NASA.GOV NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY ¶30. (U) THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY (NIST) IS A NON-REGULATORY FEDERAL AGENCY WITHIN THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE. NIST'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE U.S. INNOVATION AND INDUSTRIAL COMPETITIVENESS BY ADVANCING EASUREMENT SCIENCE, STANDARDS, AND TECHNOLOGY IN WAYS THAT ENHANCE ECONOMIC SECURITY AND IMPROVES OUR QUALITY OF LIFE. NIST CARRIES OUT ITS MISSION THROUGH FOUR COOPERATIVE PROGRAMS: --THE NIST LABORATORIES CONDUCTING RESEARCH THAT ADVANCES THENATION'S TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE AND IS NEEDED BY U.S. INDUSTRY TO CONTINUALLY IMPROVE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES; --THE BALDRIGE NATIONAL QUALITY PROGRAM WHICH PROMOTES PERFORMANCE EXCELLENCE AMONG U.S. MANUFACTURERS, SERVICE COMPANIES, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS; CONDUCTS OUTREACH PROGRAMS AND MANAGES THE ANNUAL MALCOLM BALDRIGE NATIONAL QUALITY AWARD THAT RECOGNIZES PERFORMANCE EXCELLENCE AND QUALITY ACHIEVEMENT; --THE HOLLINGS MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP, A NATIONWIDE NETWORK OF LOCAL CENTERS OFFERING TECHNICAL AND BUSINESS ASSISTANCE TO SMALLER MANUFACTURERS; AND --THE TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION PROGRAM, WHICH IS PLANNED TO PROVIDE COST-SHARED AWARDS TO INDUSTRY, UNIVERSITIES AND CONSORTIA FOR RESEARCH ON POTENTIALLY REVOLUTIONARY TECHNOLOGIES THAT ADDRESS CRITICAL NATIONAL AND SOCIETAL NEEDS. THE AGENCY HAS TWO LOCATIONS IN GAITHERSBURG, MD., AND BOULDER, CO AND EMPLOYS ABOUT 2,800 SCIENTISTS, ENGINEERS, TECHNICIANS, AND ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL. PROPOSALS SUITABLE FOR NIST WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ITS STRATEGIC ROLE IN MANUFACTURING AND STANDARDS. NIST WILL ACCOMMODATE ESF REQUESTS AS BUDGETARY AND PERSONNEL CONSTRAINTS PERMIT. WEBSITE: WWW.NIST.GOV SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION ¶31. (U) THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION JOINED THE ESFP IN 2006 AND HAS NOT SENT ANYONE OVERSEAS YET DUE TO A LACK OF SUITABLE PROPOSALS. THE SMITHSONIAN'S 500 SCIENTISTS ARE INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR EXPERTISE IN SYSTEMATICS, PALEOBIOLOGY, ECOLOGY, AND BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION, AND IS UNIQUELY SITUATED TO EXPLORE THE LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY AND TO RESPOND TO GOVERNMENTAL INITIATIVES ON CLIMATE CHANGE, TROPICAL FOREST CONSERVATION, INVASIVE SPECIES, AND ENDANGERED SPECIES. SI SCIENTISTS ARE WORLD LEADERS IN THE FIELDS OF ANTHROPOLOGY, ETHNOLOGY, AND ARCHAEOLOGY, INCLUDING THE EMERGING FIELD OF FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY AND HUMAN ORIGINS. SCIENTISTS IN THESE FIELDS ARE POISED TO EXPLOIT NEW OPPORTUNITIES, RANGING FROM EXAMINING THE EFFECTS OF CURRENT - AND EVEN PAST - GLOBALIZATION IN TRANSFORMING CULTURES, TO EXAMINING BIOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL ADAPTATIONS AND RECENT HUMAN IMPACTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT. THE SMITHSONIAN'S DISTINCTIVE COMBINATION OF TALENT, COLLECTIONS AND RESOURCES MAKES THE INSTITUTION AN INVALUABLE ASSET FOR SCIENCE AND CULTURE TO THE PUBLIC. WEBSITE: WWW.SI.EDU ¶32. (U) MINIMIZE CONSIDERED. CLINTON