[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 74 (Wednesday, April 17, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22917-22918]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-08993]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Establish an Information
Collection
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to
request clearance of this collection. In accordance with the
requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (Pub. L. 104-13), we are providing opportunity for public comment
on this action. After obtaining and considering public comment, NSF
will prepare the submission requesting that OMB approve clearance of
this collection for no longer than three years.
DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by June 17,
2013 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date
will be considered to the extent practicable.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports
Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard,
Suite 295, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone (703) 292-7556; or send
email to [email protected]. Individuals who use a telecommunications
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern
time, Monday through Friday. You also may obtain a copy of the data
collection instrument and instructions from Ms. Plimpton.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting Requirements for Nanoscale
Science and Engineering Centers (NSECs).
OMB Number: 3145-NEW.
Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.
Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to establish an
information collection.
Overview of This Information Collection
The Nanoscale Science and Engineering Centers (NSECs) Program
supports innovation in the integrative conduct of research, education,
and knowledge transfer. NSECs build intellectual and physical
infrastructure within and between disciplines, weaving together
knowledge creation, knowledge integration, and knowledge transfer.
NSECs conduct world-class research through partnerships of academic
institutions, national laboratories, industrial organizations, and/or
other public/private entities. New knowledge thus created is
meaningfully linked to society.
NSECs enable and foster excellent education, integrate research and
education, and create bonds between learning and inquiry so that
discovery and creativity more fully support the learning process. NSECs
capitalize on diversity through participation in center activities and
demonstrate leadership in the involvement of groups underrepresented in
science and engineering.
NSECs will be required to submit annual reports on progress and
plans, which will be used as a basis for performance review and
determining the level of continued funding. To support this review and
the management of a Center, NSECs will be required to develop a set of
management and performance indicators for submission annually to NSF
via the Research Performance Project Reporting module in Research.gov
and an external technical assistance contractor that collects
programmatic data electronically. These indicators are both
quantitative and descriptive and may include, for example, the
characteristics of center personnel and students; sources of financial
support and in-kind support; expenditures by operational component;
characteristics of industrial and/or other sector participation;
research activities; education activities; knowledge transfer
activities; patents, licenses; publications; degrees granted to
students involved in Center activities; descriptions of significant
advances and other outcomes of the NSEC effort. Such reporting
requirements will be included in the cooperative agreement which is
binding between the academic institution and the NSF.
Each Center's annual report will address the following categories
of activities: (1) Research, (2) education, (3) knowledge transfer, (4)
partnerships, (5) diversity, (6) management and (7) budget issues.
For each of the categories the report will describe overall
objectives for the year, problems the Center has encountered in making
progress towards goals, anticipated problems in the following year, and
specific outputs and outcomes.
NSECs are required to file a final report through the RPPR and
external technical assistance contractor. Final reports contain similar
information and metrics as annual reports, but are retrospective.
Use of the Information: NSF will use the information to continue
funding of the Centers, and to evaluate the progress of the program.
Estimate of Burden: 200 hours per center for thirteen centers for a
total of 2600 hours.
Respondents: Non-profit institutions.
Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One from each of the
thirteen NSECs.
Comments: Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the Agency, including whether the information shall
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of
the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to
[[Page 22918]]
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information on
respondents, including through the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology; and (d) ways to
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Dated: April 12, 2013.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2013-08993 Filed 4-16-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P