[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 187 (Tuesday, September 27, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66299-66300]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-23290]
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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 36962, 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 (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
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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 22917. 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 Nanoscale Science and
Engineering 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 Nanoscale
Science and Engineering Centers (NSECs).
OMB Approval Number: 3145-0229.
Type of Request: Intent to renew, without change, an information
collection.
Abstract: The Nanoscale Science and Engineering Centers (NSECs)
Program supports innovation in the integrative conduct of research,
education, and knowledge transfer. NSECs build intellectual and
physical infrastructure within and between disciplines, weaving
together knowledge creation, knowledge integration, and knowledge
transfer. NSECs 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.
NSECs 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. NSECs
capitalize on diversity through participation in center activities and
demonstrate leadership in the involvement of groups underrepresented in
science and engineering.
NSECs 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, NSECs 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 NSEC effort. Such reporting requirements are included in the
cooperative agreement which is binding between the academic institution
and the NSF.
Each Center's annual report addresses 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.
NSECs 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: 200 hours per center for thirteen centers for a
total of 2,600 hours.
Respondents: Non-profit institutions.
Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One from each of the
thirteen NSECs.
Dated: September 22, 2016.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2016-23290 Filed 9-26-16; 8:45 am]
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