80 FR 23773 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Evaluation Support Services

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 82 (April 29, 2015)

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment on this proposed information collection for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This is a new information collection for Evaluation Support Services.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 82 (Wednesday, April 29, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23773-23774]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-09967]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Evaluation Support Services

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice invites the general public and other public agencies to comment 
on this proposed information collection for the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration. This is a new information collection for 
Evaluation Support Services.

DATES: Written comments should be received Written comments must be 
submitted on or before June 29, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Meka Laster at (301) 628-2906 or sent via email to 
[email protected]. Individuals who use a telecommunication device 
for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service 
(FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday 
through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    This request is for a new information collection.
    Since its establishment in 1970 under the Department of Commerce, 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s primary 
goals are to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, 
to conserve and manage coastal and marine resources, and to serve the 
nation's economic, social, and environmental needs. One of NOAA's staff 
offices, the Office of Education (OEd), also serves a critical function 
as the nation's primary educator on matters related to the ocean, 
coastal resources, the atmosphere, and climate. One of the ways NOAA 
fulfills its national duty is by providing educational resources and 
scholarship opportunities for future scholars.
    The Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program (HUSP) was 
established in 2005; since then, it has provided support to 
approximately 1,144 undergraduate students. This scholarship 
opportunity provides 2 academic years of tuition support (up to $8,000 
per year) and a 10-week paid internship with a NOAA mentor to 
competitive undergraduate scholars in NOAA-related major fields of 
study. The HUSP also provides undergraduates with additional supports 
such as living expenses, travel stipends, and conference allowances. 
The main goals of HUSP include increasing undergraduate training and 
research in NOAA sciences; recruiting and preparig students for careers 
as public servants and environmental science educators; and building 
public understanding of and support for environmental stewardship 
issues (i.e., increasing environmental literacy).
    The Educational Partnership Program (EPP) comprises three unique 
components: The Undergraduate Scholarship Program (USP), the Graduate 
Studies Program (GSP), and four Cooperative Science Centers (CSCs). USP 
is a scholarship opportunity that provides recipients with hands-on 
research and training in NOAA-related sciences and provides scholars 
the opportunity to gain valuable work experience at NOAA facilities. To 
date, USP has funded 175 scholars. GSP is similar, and supported 
(funded 59 students) graduate students interested in pursuing NOAA 
mission-critical fields by providing them with work experience and 
hands-on training in NOAA-related research fields. The CSCs' 
overarching goal is to increase underrepresentation in STEM and NOAA-
related fields by providing education and training opportunities in

[[Page 23774]]

these fields. Each CSC has a distinct educational focus, defined 
mission, partner institution, and designated research partner. In 
addition to providing education and training opportunities for 
students, CSCs assist their MSI partners in building their 
institutional management, scientific, and research capacities in NOAA-
related fields.
    The proposed evaluation will examine the effectiveness of two of 
NOAA's OEd scholarship programs: EPP and HUSP. It will also assess the 
efficacy of the CSCs, which constitute another educational component 
central to NOAA's educational mission. The primary objective of this 
evaluation is to determine how well NOAA's HUSP and EPP scholarship 
programs translate to measurable outcomes for participants.

II. Method of Collection

    This proposed mixed-methods evaluation will include the following 
components:
     Reviews of extant data to understand the program and 
historical trends.
     Web surveys of HUSP and EPP alumni with telephone follow-
up to describe participant experiences and outcomes.
     A regression discontinuity design evaluation of HUSP, EPP 
USP, and EPP GSP to compare scholarship recipients to similar 
applicants who did not receive scholarships.
     Site visits to the CSCs to describe institution-level 
contexts and outcomes.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-xxxx.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Request for a new information collection.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,409 survey respondents (1,034 
scholarship recipients and 375 scholarship non-recipients); 44 
interviewees; 20 focus group participants (interviewees and focus 
groups composed of Cooperative Science Center management, faculty, and 
students).
    Estimated Time per Response: 25 minutes per recipient survey; 15 
minutes per nonrecipient survey; 60 minutes per community partner, 
institution partner, CSC administrator, and CSC center director 
interview; 90 minutes per student focus group.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 599.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0 in recordkeeping/
reporting costs.

IV. Request for 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 to be collected; and (d) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who 
are eligible to respond.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

     Dated: April 24, 2015.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-09967 Filed 4-28-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-12-P