Operating Procedures

The Board supports $4-6 million in research each year based on its portion of the interest earnings on the Environmental Improvement and Restoration Fund. It meets twice a year and follows established operating procedures.

Annual Requests for Proposals (RFPs)

Each year, twenty percent of the interest earned from the Environmental Improvement and Restoration Fund (more on this in our History section) is made available to the Secretary without further appropriation to carry out marine research activities. The enabling legislation calls for EIRF funds to be used to:

“...conduct research activities on or relating to the fisheries or marine ecosystems in the north Pacific Ocean, Bering Sea, and Arctic Ocean (including any lesser related bodies of water).... [with]...priority on cooperative research efforts designed to address pressing fishery management or marine ecosystem information needs.”

The RFP process

Throughout the year, NPRB staff assemble material for the coming year's Request for Proposals (RFP). The research priorities in NPRB’s annual RFP come from sources such as:

• Research needs outlined in the 2005 NPRB Science Plan
• Assessments of current and planned projects by NPRB and other institutions
• New information gathered at science meetings and through the scientific literature
• Research priorities submitted by various agencies and institutions

The draft RFP then receives input from the Advisory and Science panels, and finally the full Board. The final RFP is released each October, and the process begins again for the following year.

See the RFP for the current year

Conflict-of interest and confidentiality requirements

The success of NPRB depends on the effectiveness and integrity of its decision-making processes. If Board decisions are tainted by conflicting interests, its integrity is severely compromised. Science Panel members and independent technical reviewers should consider potential conflict situations that may arise in their review of research proposals and in other activities related to the Board. Find out more about these requirements

Secretarial review and approval

The Secretary, through his designee, the Alaska Regional Administrator of the National Marine Fisheries Service, reviews all grants recommended by the Board. If the Secretary decides not to approve a project recommended by the Board, then the Secretary must explain his reasons in writing. The amount recommended to be used for such grants will be available only for other grants recommended by the Board.

NPRB Subaward Compliance Policy

The Subaward Compliance Policy was finalized in March 2009. It is based on Federal law that governs award agreements and on comments received on an interim compliance policy from NOAA’s Federal Law Assistance Division, the National Science Foundation, and grants managers from five major research institutions.

This policy will be appended to future requests for proposals and made part of new subaward agreements beginning in 2009.

Download the NPRB Subaward Compliance Policy

Board Meetings

The Board defines a quorum for any meeting as the presence of at least three executive committee members and nine other members.

• All meetings are conducted in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order.
• All meetings are open to the public and public testimony shall be taken on agenda items.
• All Board members have a vote on major decisions, such as approval of research projects for funding.
• Written information submitted to the Board by an interested person shall include a statement of the source and date of such information. Oral or written statements shall include a brief description of the background and interests of the person in the subject of the statement.

The Board also has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council and the University of Alaska, as well as other signatory marine research and monitoring entities, to accomplish research that will provide for the long term health and sustainability of Alaska's oceans and related watersheds.

Download Operating Procedures

Voting procedures

(adopted March 2002) For any motion, the Chairman will ask first if there are any objections. If there are no objections, a motion passes unanimously. If there are objections, then:

• A motion is considered approved by “useful consensus,” if three or less members object.
• If at least twenty percent of the members present and voting object, then a poll is taken.
• For a motion to pass by polling there must be (1) an affirmative vote of a simple majority of the Executive Committee, and (2) an affirmative vote of a simple majority of other members present and voting.