[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 160 (Wednesday, August 19, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 50329]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20431]
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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 80 FR 26099, and no comments were 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 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: Title Of Collection: Grantee Reporting
Requirements for Science and Technology Centers (STC): Integrative
Partnerships
OMB Number: 3145-0194
Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to extend an information
collection.
Abstract:
Proposed Project:
The Science and Technology Centers (STC): Integrative Partnerships
Program supports innovation in the integrative conduct of research,
education and knowledge transfer. Science and Technology Centers build
intellectual and physical infrastructure within and between
disciplines, weaving together knowledge creation, knowledge
integration, and knowledge transfer. STCs 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.
STCs 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. STCs
capitalize on diversity through participation in center activities and
demonstrate leadership in the involvement of groups underrepresented in
science and engineering.
Centers selected 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, STCs will be required to develop
a set of management and performance indicators for submission annually
to NSF via an NSF evaluation technical assistance contractor. 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 STC effort. Part of this reporting
will take the form of a database which will be owned by the institution
and eventually made available to an evaluation contractor. This
database will capture specific information to demonstrate progress
towards achieving the goals of the program. 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.
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: 100 hours per center for 14 centers for a total
of 1400 hours.
Respondents: Non-profit institutions; federal government.
Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One from each of the
seventeen centers.
Dated: August 13, 2015.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2015-20431 Filed 8-18-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P