[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 188 (Friday, September 27, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59727-59728]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23538]
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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. This is the second
notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal
Register at 78 FR 40518, and no comments were received. NSF is
forwarding the proposed 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.
DATES: 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 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: Comments regarding (a) whether the
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of 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).
Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting Requirements for
Partnerships for Research and Education in Materials (PREM).
OMB Number: 3145--NEW
Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to establish an
information collection.
[[Page 59728]]
Overview of This Information Collection
NSF has standing authority to support activities to improve the
participation of women and minorities in science and engineering under
the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (Pub. L. 96-516),
and authority to collect data on those issues.
The Partnerships for Research and Education in Materials (PREM)
aims to enhance diversity in materials research and education by
stimulating the development of formal, long-term, collaborative
research and education relationships between minority-serving colleges
and universities and centers, institutes and facilities supported by
the NSF Division of Materials Research (DMR). With this collaborative
model PREMs build intellectual and physical infrastructure within and
between disciplines, weaving together knowledge creation, knowledge
integration, and knowledge transfer. PREMs 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, with an
emphasis on enhancing diversity.
PREMs 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. PREMs
capitalize on diversity through participation and collaboration in
center activities and demonstrate leadership in the involvement of
groups underrepresented in science and engineering.
PREMs 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 the award PREMs 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 personnel and students; sources of financial support
and in-kind support; expenditures by operational component; research
activities; education activities; patents, licenses; publications;
degrees granted to students involved in PREM activities; descriptions
of significant advances and other outcomes of the PREM effort.
Each PREM'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 PREM has encountered in making
progress towards goals, anticipated problems in the following year, and
specific outputs and outcomes.
PREMs 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 PREMs, and to evaluate the progress of the program.
Estimate of Burden: 44 hours per PREM for 15 PREMs for a total of
660 hours.
Respondents: Non-profit institutions.
Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One from each of the
fifteen PREMs.
Dated: September 23, 2013.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2013-23538 Filed 9-26-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P