[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 14, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13661-13662]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-04936]
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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 91959, 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 are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the Foundation, including whether the information will
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Foundation's estimate
of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of
automated collection techniques or other forms of information
technology.
DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by April 13,
2017, to be assured consideration. Comments received after that date
will be considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to address
below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports
Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard,
Suite 1265, 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).
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 National
User Facilities managed by the NSF Division of Materials Research.
OMB Number: 3145-0234.
Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2017.
Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to renew an information
collection.
Overview of This Information Collection:
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 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 and training, (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 and focus on the period that was not
addressed in previous annual reports.
Use of the Information: NSF will use the information to continue
funding of
[[Page 13662]]
the DMR National User Facilities, and to evaluate the progress of the
program.
Estimate of Burden: 200 hours per facility for three National User
Facilities for a total of 600 hours.
Respondents: Non-profit institutions.
Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One (1) from each of the
DMR user facilities.
Dated: March 8, 2017.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2017-04936 Filed 3-13-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P