SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The NOAA Science Advisory Board (SAB) is a Federal advisory committee established under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. 1001 et seq. The SAB advises NOAA leadership on matters related to science and technology, research priorities, and the integration of science into NOAA operations.

NOAA seeks to maintain a balanced membership that reflects an interdisciplinary nature of expertise, sectors, and perspectives relevant to NOAA's mission.

Recruitment

Phased Recruitment Approach

To ensure continuity of operations and timely filling of vacancies, NOAA will use a phased recruitment and appointment approach. This approach allows NOAA to:

• Maintain a ready pool of highly qualified candidates
• Fill vacancies as they occur, including mid-term departures
• Support leadership succession planning, including Vice Chair roles
• Ensure compliance with FACA balance and membership requirements

Candidates selected through this process may be appointed at different times through January 31, 2028, depending on Board needs.

Scope of Nominations

NOAA is interested in candidates with expertise in, but not limited to: Weather, water, and climate science and prediction, ocean science and technology, Data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, environmental information systems, Space Commerce and explorations, Social and behavioral sciences related to environmental decision-making, Public-private partnerships and the weather enterprise.

Membership Criteria

Members are selected based on: Scientific and technical expertise; Leadership experience; Ability to contribute to SAB activities and working groups; Availability to participate actively in meetings and intersessional work; Absence of conflicts of interest.

Terms of Service

Appointments are typically for a term of three years, with the possibility of reappointment, subject to applicable policies and Board needs. Terms may be staggered to maintain continuity.

Selection Process

Nominations will be reviewed by NOAA and evaluated based on expertise, Board needs, and balance considerations. Final appointments are made by the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere or designee. Individuals selected for Federal Advisory Committee Membership become a Special Government Employee (SGE) of the United States Government. According to 18 U.S.C. 202(a), a SGE(s) is an officer or employee of an agency who is retained, designated, appointed, or employed to perform temporary duties, with or without compensation, not to exceed 130 days during any period of 365 consecutive days, either on a full time or intermittent basis. After the selection process is complete applicants selected to serve on the Board must complete the following actions before they can be appointed as a Board member: (a) Security Clearance (online Background Security Check process and fingerprinting conducted through NOAA Workforce Management), and (b) Confidential Financial Disclosure Report. SGEs are required to file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report annually to avoid involvement in any real or apparent conflict of interest.

Nominations

Interested persons may nominate themselves or others for membership on the SAB. An application is required for all candidates, including those nominated by third parties. The application package must include the following: (1) The nominee's full name, title, institutional affiliation, and contact information; (2) The nominee's area of industry perspective (academia, commercial service provider, or end-user); (3) A short description of qualifications relative to the advice solicited in this Notice; and (4) A current resume (maximum of four pages). All nomination information must be provided in a single, complete package, and must be sent to the SAB DFO at the electronic address provided above with the subject line “Application for SAB Membership 2026”.

Privacy Act

Privacy Act Statement: Authority. The collection of information concerning nominations to the NSGAB FAC is authorized under the FACA, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App. and its implementing regulations, 41 CFR part 102-3, and in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, (Privacy Act) 5 U.S.C. 552a.

Purpose. The collection of names, contact information, resumes, professional information, and qualifications is required in order for the Under Secretary to appoint members to the NOAA SAB FAC.

Routine Uses. NOAA will use the nomination information for the purpose set forth above. The Privacy Act of 1974 ( printed page 53608) authorizes disclosure of the information collected to NOAA staff for work-related purposes and for other purposes only as set forth in the Privacy Act and for routine uses published in the Privacy Act System of Records Notice COMMERCE/DEPT-11: Candidates for Membership, Members, and Former Members of Department of Commerce Advisory Committees, available at www.osec.doc.gov/​opog/​PrivacyAct/​SORNs/​dept-11.html and the System of Records Notice COMMERCE/DEPT-18: Employees Personnel Files Not Covered by Notices of Other Agencies, available at www.osec.doc.gov/​opog/​PrivacyAct/​SORNs/​DEPT-18.html.

Disclosure. Furnishing the nomination information is voluntary; however, if the information is not provided, the individual would not be considered for appointment as a member of the NOAA SAB FAC.

91 FR 53607