[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 141 (Friday, July 22, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47838-47839]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-17369]
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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 81 FR 31668, 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.
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).
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:
Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting Requirements for Materials
Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSECs).
OMB Number: 3145-0230.
Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to renew an information
collection.
Overview of This Information Collection: The Materials Research
Science and Engineering Centers (MRSECs) Program supports innovation in
interdisciplinary research, education, and knowledge transfer. MRSECs
build intellectual and physical infrastructure within and between
disciplines, weaving together knowledge creation, knowledge
integration, and knowledge transfer. MRSECs 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.
MRSECs 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.
MRSECs capitalize on diversity through participation in center
activities and demonstrate leadership in the involvement of groups
underrepresented in science and engineering.
MRSECs 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 a Center, MRSECs are 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 MRSEC effort. Such reporting requirements are included in the
cooperative agreement that 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) shared experimental facilities, (6) diversity, (7)
management, and (8) 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.
MRSECs 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: 185 hours per center for 21 centers for a total
of 3,885 hours.
Respondents: Non-profit institutions.
[[Page 47839]]
Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One from each of the 21
MRSECs.
Dated: July 19, 2016.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2016-17369 Filed 7-21-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P