[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 160 (Monday, August 19, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50452-50453]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-20060]
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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request.
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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted the
following information collection requirement to OMB for review and
clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13.
This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published
in the Federal Register at 78 FR 22917, and one comment was received.
NSF is forwarding the proposed renewal submission to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with the
publication of this second notice. The full submission (including
comments) may be found at: http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
Comments regarding (a) Whether the collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions f the agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of
the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality,
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (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 should be addressed to: Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for
National Science Foundation, 725--17th Street, NW. Room 10235,
Washington, DC 20503, and to Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance
Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite
1265, Arlington, Virginia 22230 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,
which is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
(including federal holidays).
Comments regarding these information collections are best assured
of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this
notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling
703-292-7556.
NSF may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless
the
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collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number
and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the
collection of information that such persons are not required to respond
to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid
OMB control number.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments: As required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), comments on the
information collection activities as part of this study were solicited
through publication of a 60-Day Notice in the Federal Register on April
17, 2013, at 78 FR 22917. We received one comment, to which we here
respond.
Commenter: The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) raised a
general concern that additional reporting requirements presented added
burden on their members.
Response: The reporting requirements and estimates on the hourly
burden were discussed with the management of the Nanoscale Science and
Engineering Centers. Center Directors and their management staff, the
primary respondents to this data collection, were consulted for
feedback on the availability of data, frequency of data collection, the
clarity of instructions, and the data elements. Their feedback
confirmed that the frequency of data collection was appropriate and
that they did not provide these data in other data collections.
After consideration of this comment, we are moving forward with our
submission to OMB.
Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting Requirements for Nanoscale
Science and Engineering Centers (NSECs).
OMB Approval Number: 3145-NEW.
Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to establish an
information collection.
Abstract: 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.
Dated: August 13, 2013.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2013-20060 Filed 8-16-13; 8:45 am]
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