VZCZCXRO5377
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHC #0843 0362334
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 052314Z FEB 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE
AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI 0000

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