80 FR 50328 - Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Renew an Information Collection for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 160 (August 19, 2015)

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 plan for information collection.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 160 (Wednesday, August 19, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50328-50329]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20471]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Renew an Information 
Collection for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program

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 plan for information collection.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by October 19, 
2015 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 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). You also may obtain a copy of the data collection instrument 
and instructions from Ms. Plimpton.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title Of Collection: Grantee Reporting Requirements for the 
Graduate Research Fellowship Program.
    OMB Number: 3145-0223.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 2015.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to renew an information 
collection.

Abstract

    Proposed Project: The purpose of the NSF Graduate Research 
Fellowship Program is to help ensure the vitality and diversity of the 
scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. The program 
recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing 
research-based master's and doctoral degrees in science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and in STEM education. The GRFP 
provides three years of support, to be used during a five-year 
fellowship period, for the graduate education of individuals who have 
demonstrated their potential for significant research achievements in 
STEM and STEM education.
    The Graduate Research Fellowship Program uses several sources of 
information in assessing and documenting program performance and 
impact. These sources include reports from program evaluation, the GRFP 
Committee of Visitors, and data compiled from the applications. In 
addition, GRFP Fellows submit annual activity reports to NSF.
    The GRFP Completion report is proposed as a continuing component of 
the annual reporting requirement for the program. This report, 
submitted by the GRFP Institution, certifies the completion status of 
Fellows at the institution (e.g., in progress, completed, graduated, 
transferred, or withdrawn). The existing Completion Report, Grants 
Roster Report, and the Program Expense Report comprise the GRFP Annual 
Reporting requirements from the Grantee GRFP institution. Through 
submission of the Completion Report to NSF GRFP institutions certify 
the current status of all GRFP Fellows at the institution as either: In 
Progress, Graduated, Transferred, or Withdrawn. For Graduate Fellows 
with Graduated status, the graduation date is a required reporting 
element. Collection of this information allows the program to obtain 
information on the current status of Fellows, the number and/or 
percentage of Graduate Fellowship recipients who complete a science or 
engineering graduate degree, and an estimate of time to degree 
completion. The report must be certified and submitted by the 
institution's designated Coordinating Official (CO) annually.
    Use of the Information: The completion report data provides NSF 
with accurate Fellow information regarding completion of the Fellows' 
graduate programs. The data is used by NSF in its assessment of the 
impact of its investments in the GRFP, and informs its program 
management.
    Estimate of Burden: Overall average time will be 15 minutes per 
Fellow (8,250 Fellows) for a total of 2,063 hours for all institutions 
with Fellows. An estimate for institutions with 12 or fewer Fellows 
will be 1 hour, institutions with 12-48 fellows will be 4 hours, and 
institutions over 48 Fellows will be 10 hours.
    Respondents: Academic institutions with NSF Graduate Fellows (GRFP 
Institutions).
    Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One from each of the 271 
current GRFP institutions.
    Comments: Comments are invited on (a) whether the collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance and function of the 
National Science Foundation, including whether the information shall be 
useful; (b) the accuracy of NSF's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the utility and 
clarity of the information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on those who are to respond and (e) the usefulness of the 
data to institutions.


[[Page 50329]]


    Dated: August 14, 2015.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2015-20471 Filed 8-18-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P