[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 249 (Friday, December 27, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 79013-79014]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-30889]
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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 22916, 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 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).
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: 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 22916. 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 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 National
user facilities managed by the NSF Division of Materials Research.
OMB Approval Number: 3145--NEW.
Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to establish an
information collection.
Abstract: The NSF Division of Materials Research (DMR) supports a
number of National user facilities that provide specialized
capabilities and instrumentation to the scientific community on a
competitive proposal basis. In addition to the user program, these
facilities support in-house research, development of new
instrumentation or techniques, education, and knowledge transfer.
The facilities integrate research and education for students and
post-docs
[[Page 79014]]
involved in experiments, and support extensive K-12 outreach to foster
an interest in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
and STEM careers. Facilities capitalize on diversity through
participation in center activities and demonstrate leadership in the
involvement of groups underrepresented in science and engineering.
National User Facilities 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. User facilities
will be required to develop a set of management and performance
indicators for submission annually to NSF via the Research Performance
Project Reporting (RPPR) module in Research.gov. These indicators are
both quantitative and descriptive and may include, for example, lists
of successful proposal and users, the characteristics of facility
personnel and students; sources of financial support and in-kind
support; expenditures by operational component; research activities;
education activities; knowledge transfer activities; patents, licenses;
publications; degrees granted to students supported through the
facility or users of the facility; descriptions of significant advances
and other outcomes of this investment. Such reporting requirements are
included in the cooperative agreement, which is binding between the
academic institution and the NSF.
Each facility'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 and
metrics for the reporting period, challenges or problems the facility
has encountered in making progress towards goals, anticipated problems
in the following year, and specific outputs and outcomes. Facilities
are required to file a final report through the RPPR. 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 DMR national user facilities, and to evaluate the
progress of the program.
Estimate of Burden: 790 hours per facility for three national user
facilities for a total of 2,370 hours.
Respondents: Non-profit institutions.
Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One from each of the DMR
user facilities.
Dated: December 20, 2013.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2013-30889 Filed 12-26-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P