North Pacific Research Board Go to the NPRB Home Page

Operating Procedures

The Board has established operating procedures and meets three to four times each year. The Board supports about $9-12 million in research each year based on its portion of the interest earnings on the Environmental Improvement and Restoration Fund.

Annual Requests for Proposals (RFPs)

Each year, 20 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

The Board annually establishes written criteria for the submission of grant requests through a competitive process and for deciding upon the award of grants. The Board receives advice from various panels and committees, and recommends grants based on the merits of the request and the extent to which the proposed research meets the priorities established by the Board. See the RFP for the current year

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.

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 20% 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.