[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 25 (Monday, February 8, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6544-6545]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-02365]
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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Establish an Information
Collection
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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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 April 8,
2016 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date
will be considered to the extent practicable.
For Additional Information or Comments: 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, which is accessible
24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year (including federal
holidays). You also may obtain a copy of the data collection instrument
and instructions from Ms. Plimpton.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title of Collection: Awardee Reporting Requirements for the
Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR)
Research Infrastructure Improvement Programs.
OMB Number: 3145--NEW.
Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.
Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to establish an
information collection.
Abstract
Proposed Project
The mission of the National Science Foundation (NSF) is to promote
the progress of science; to advance the national health, welfare, and
prosperity; and to secure the national defense, while avoiding the
undue concentration of research and education. In 1977, in response to
congressional concern that NSF funding was overly concentrated
geographically, a National Science
[[Page 6545]]
Board task force analyzed the geographic distribution of NSF funds,
which resulted in the creation of an NSF Experimental Program to
Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). Congress specified two
objectives for the EPSCoR program in the National Science Foundation
Authorization Act of 1988: (1) To assist States that historically have
received relatively little Federal research and development funding;
and (2) to assist States that have demonstrated a commitment to develop
their research bases and improve science and engineering research and
education programs at their universities and colleges.
The EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Programs advance
science and engineering capabilities in EPSCoR jurisdictions for
discovery, innovation and overall knowledge-based prosperity. These
projects build human, cyber, and physical infrastructure in EPSCoR
jurisdictions, stimulating sustainable improvements in their Research &
Development (R&D) capacity and competitiveness.
EPSCoR projects are unique in their scope and complexity; in their
integration of individual researchers, institutions, and organizations;
and in their role in developing the diverse, well-prepared, STEM-
enabled workforce necessary to sustain research competitiveness and
catalyze economic development. In addition, these projects are
generally inter- (or multi-)disciplinary and involve effective
jurisdictional and regional collaborations among academic, government
and private sector stakeholders that advance scientific research,
promote innovation and provide multiple societal benefits; and they
broaden participation in science and engineering by engaging multiple
institutions and organizations at all levels of research and education,
and people within and among EPSCoR jurisdictions. These projects
usually involve between 100 (Track-2) to 300 (Track-1) participants per
year over the performance period and provide outreach experiences to
thousands of K-12 students and teachers. America COMPETES
Reauthorization Act of 2010, Section 517 (H.R. 5116, Section 517)
requires NSF EPSCoR to submit annual reports to both Congress and OSTP
that contains data detailing project progress and success (new
investigators, broadening participation, dissemination of results, new
workshops, outreach activities, proposals submitted and awarded,
mentoring activities among faculty members, collaborations, researcher
participating on the review process, etc.).
EPSCoR RII Track-1 and Track-2 projects are required to submit
annual reports on progress and plans, which are used as a basis for
performance review and determining the level of continued funding. To
support this review and the management of an EPSCoR RII projects, teams
are required to develop a set of performance indicators for building
sustainable infrastructure and capacity in terms of a strategic plan
for the project; measure performance and revise strategies as
appropriate; report on the progress relative to the project's goals and
milestones; and describe changes in strategies, if any, for submission
annually to NSF. These indicators are both quantitative and descriptive
and may include, for example, the characteristics of project personnel
and students; aggregate demographics of participants; sources of
financial support and in-kind support; expenditures by operational
component; characteristics of industrial and/or other sector
participation; research activities; workforce development activities;
external engagement activities; patents and patent licenses;
publications; degrees granted to students involved in project
activities; and descriptions of significant advances and other outcomes
of the EPSCoR project's efforts. Part of this reporting takes the form
of several spreadsheets to capture specific information to demonstrate
progress towards achieving the goals of the program. Such reporting
requirements are included in the cooperative agreement which is binding
between the awardee institution and NSF.
Each project's annual report addresses the following categories of
activities: (1) Research, (2) education, (3) workforce development, (4)
partnerships and collaborations, (5) communication and dissemination,
(6) sustainability, (7) diversity, (8) management, and (9) evaluation
and assessment.
For each of the categories the report is required to describe
overall objectives for the year; specific accomplishments, impacts,
outputs and outcomes; problems or challenges the project has
encountered in making progress towards goals; and anticipated problems
in performance during the following year.
Use of the Information: NSF will use the information to continue
funding of the EPSCoR RII projects, and to evaluate the progress of the
program.
The current RPPR is designed primarily to support reporting from
individual investigators and nor for large centers/center-like programs
involving hundreds of participants. The change would facilitate
reporting better aligned with program goals and is expected to minimize
reporting burden on the EPSCoR community and provide data as
legislatively required for NSF EPSCoR.
Estimate of Burden: 100 hours per project for twenty-nine projects
for a total of 2,900 hours.
Respondents: Non-profit institutions; federal government.
Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One.
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
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: February 2, 2016.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2016-02365 Filed 2-5-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P