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)

Page Range		50328-50329
FR Document		2015-20471

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 Issue 160 (Wednesday, August 19, 2015)

[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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 splimpto@nsf.gov. 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

50328 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 160 / Wednesday, August 19, 2015 / Notices

1. Title: Independent Researcher comment on this action plan for GRFP Institution, certifies the
Listing Application information collection. completion status of Fellows at the
OMB number: 3095–0054. DATES: Written comments on this notice institution (e.g., in progress, completed,
Agency form number: NA Form must be received by October 19, 2015 to graduated, transferred, or withdrawn).
14115. be assured of consideration. Comments The existing Completion Report, Grants
Type of review: Regular. received after that date will be Roster Report, and the Program Expense
Affected public: Individuals or considered to the extent practicable. Report comprise the GRFP Annual
households. For Additional Information Or Reporting requirements from the
Estimated number of respondents: Comments: Contact Suzanne H. Grantee GRFP institution. Through
458. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, submission of the Completion Report to
Estimated time per response: 10 National Science Foundation, 4201 NSF GRFP institutions certify the
minutes. Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1265, current status of all GRFP Fellows at the
Frequency of response: On occasion. Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone institution as either: In Progress,
Estimated total annual burden hours: (703) 292–7556; or send email to Graduated, Transferred, or Withdrawn.
76. splimpto@nsf.gov. Individuals who use For Graduate Fellows with Graduated
Abstract: To accommodate both the a telecommunications device for the status, the graduation date is a required
public and NARA staff, the Customer deaf (TDD) may call the Federal reporting element. Collection of this
Services Division (RD–C1) of the Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1– information allows the program to
National Archives maintains a listing of 800–877–8339, which is accessible 24 obtain information on the current status
independent researchers for the public. hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a of Fellows, the number and/or
We make use of various lists of year (including federal holidays). You percentage of Graduate Fellowship
independent researchers who perform also may obtain a copy of the data recipients who complete a science or
freelance research for hire in the collection instrument and instructions engineering graduate degree, and an
Washington, DC, area and send them from Ms. Plimpton. estimate of time to degree completion.
upon request to researchers who cannot SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The report must be certified and
travel to the metropolitan area to Title Of Collection: Grantee Reporting submitted by the institution’s
conduct their own research. All Requirements for the Graduate Research designated Coordinating Official (CO)
interested independent researchers Fellowship Program. annually.
provide their contact information via OMB Number: 3145–0223. Use of the Information: The
this form. Collecting contact and other Expiration Date of Approval: completion report data provides NSF
key information from each independent December 31, 2015. with accurate Fellow information
researcher and providing such Type of Request: Intent to seek regarding completion of the Fellows’
information to the public when deemed approval to renew an information graduate programs. The data is used by
appropriate will only increase business. collection. NSF in its assessment of the impact of
This form is not a burden in any way its investments in the GRFP, and
to any independent researcher who Abstract informs its program management.
voluntarily submits a completed form. Proposed Project: The purpose of the Estimate of Burden: Overall average
Inclusion on the list will not be viewed NSF Graduate Research Fellowship time will be 15 minutes per Fellow
or advertised as an endorsement by the Program is to help ensure the vitality (8,250 Fellows) for a total of 2,063 hours
National Archives and Records and diversity of the scientific and for all institutions with Fellows. An
Administration (NARA). The listing is engineering workforce of the United estimate for institutions with 12 or
compiled and disseminated as a service States. The program recognizes and fewer Fellows will be 1 hour,
to the public. supports outstanding graduate students institutions with 12–48 fellows will be
Dated: August 13, 2015. who are pursuing research-based 4 hours, and institutions over 48
Swarnali Haldar, master’s and doctoral degrees in Fellows will be 10 hours.
Executive for Information Services/CIO. science, technology, engineering, and Respondents: Academic institutions
mathematics (STEM) and in STEM with NSF Graduate Fellows (GRFP
[FR Doc. 2015–20488 Filed 8–18–15; 8:45 am]
education. The GRFP provides three Institutions).
BILLING CODE 7515–01–P
years of support, to be used during a Estimated Number of Responses per
five-year fellowship period, for the Report: One from each of the 271
graduate education of individuals who current GRFP institutions.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION have demonstrated their potential for Comments: Comments are invited on
significant research achievements in (a) whether the collection of information
Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To
STEM and STEM education. is necessary for the proper performance
Renew an Information Collection for
The Graduate Research Fellowship and function of the National Science
the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
Program uses several sources of Foundation, including whether the
Program
information in assessing and information shall be useful; (b) the
National Science Foundation.
AGENCY: documenting program performance and accuracy of NSF’s estimate of the
Notice and request for
ACTION: impact. These sources include reports burden of the proposed collection of
comments. from program evaluation, the GRFP information; (c) ways to enhance the
Committee of Visitors, and data utility and clarity of the information on
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

SUMMARY: The National Science compiled from the applications. In respondents, including through the use
Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans addition, GRFP Fellows submit annual of automated collection techniques or
to request clearance of this collection. In activity reports to NSF. other forms of information technology;
accordance with the requirement of The GRFP Completion report is (d) ways to minimize the burden of the
Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork proposed as a continuing component of collection of information on those who
Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13), the annual reporting requirement for the are to respond and (e) the usefulness of
we are providing opportunity for public program. This report, submitted by the the data to institutions.

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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 160 / Wednesday, August 19, 2015 / Notices 50329

Dated: August 14, 2015. Comments regarding these quantitative and descriptive and may
Suzanne H. Plimpton, information collections are best assured include, for example, the characteristics
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science of having their full effect if received of center personnel and students;
Foundation. within 30 days of this notification. sources of financial support and in-kind
[FR Doc. 2015–20471 Filed 8–18–15; 8:45 am] Copies of the submission(s) may be support; expenditures by operational
BILLING CODE 7555–01–P obtained by calling 703–292–7556. component; characteristics of industrial
NSF may not conduct or sponsor a and/or other sector participation;
collection of information unless the research activities; education activities;
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION collection of information displays a knowledge transfer activities; patents,
currently valid OMB control number licenses; publications; degrees granted
Agency Information Collection and the agency informs potential to students involved in Center activities;
Activities: Comment Request persons who are to respond to the descriptions of significant advances and
AGENCY:National Science Foundation collection of information that such other outcomes of the STC effort. Part of
persons are not required to respond to this reporting will take the form of a
Submission for OMB review;
ACTION:
the collection of information unless it database which will be owned by the
comment request.
displays a currently valid OMB control institution and eventually made
SUMMARY: The National Science number. available to an evaluation contractor.
Foundation (NSF) has submitted the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title Of This database will capture specific
following information collection Collection: Grantee Reporting information to demonstrate progress
requirement to OMB for review and Requirements for Science and towards achieving the goals of the
clearance under the Paperwork Technology Centers (STC): Integrative program. Such reporting requirements
Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104– Partnerships will be included in the cooperative
13. This is the second notice for public OMB Number: 3145–0194 agreement which is binding between the
comment; the first was published in the Type of Request: Intent to seek academic institution and the NSF.
Federal Register at 80 FR 26099, and no approval to extend an information Each Center’s annual report will
comments were received. NSF is collection. address the following categories of
forwarding the proposed renewal Abstract: activities: (1) Research, (2) education,
submission to the Office of Management Proposed Project: (3) knowledge transfer, (4) partnerships,
and Budget (OMB) for clearance The Science and Technology Centers (5) diversity, (6) management and (7)
simultaneously with the publication of (STC): Integrative Partnerships Program budget issues.
this second notice. The full submission supports innovation in the integrative For each of the categories the report
may be found at: http:// conduct of research, education and will describe overall objectives for the
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. knowledge transfer. Science and year, problems the Center has
Comments regarding (a) whether the Technology Centers build intellectual encountered in making progress towards
collection of information is necessary and physical infrastructure within and goals, anticipated problems in the
for the proper performance of the between disciplines, weaving together following year, and specific outputs and
functions of the agency, including knowledge creation, knowledge outcomes.
whether the information will have integration, and knowledge transfer. Use of the Information: NSF will use
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the STCs conduct world-class research the information to continue funding of
agency’s estimate of burden including through partnerships of academic the Centers, and to evaluate the progress
the validity of the methodology and institutions, national laboratories, of the program.
Estimate of Burden: 100 hours per
assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance industrial organizations, and/or other
center for 14 centers for a total of 1400
the quality, utility and clarity of the public/private entities. New knowledge
hours.
information to be collected; (d) ways to thus created is meaningfully linked to
Respondents: Non-profit institutions;
minimize the burden of the collection of society.
federal government.
information on those who are to STCs enable and foster excellent Estimated Number of Responses per
respond, including through the use of education, integrate research and Report: One from each of the seventeen
appropriate automated, electronic, education, and create bonds between centers.
mechanical, or other technological learning and inquiry so that discovery
collection techniques or other forms of and creativity more fully support the Dated: August 13, 2015.
information technology should be learning process. STCs capitalize on Suzanne H. Plimpton,
addressed to: Office of Information and diversity through participation in center Reports Clearance Officer, National Science
Regulatory Affairs of OMB, Attention: activities and demonstrate leadership in Foundation.
Desk Officer for National Science the involvement of groups [FR Doc. 2015–20431 Filed 8–18–15; 8:45 am]
Foundation, 725—17th Street NW. underrepresented in science and BILLING CODE 7555–01–P
Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, engineering.
and to Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Centers selected will be required to
Clearance Officer, National Science submit annual reports on progress and NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, plans, which will be used as a basis for
Suite 1265, Arlington, Virginia 22230 or performance review and determining Agency Information Collection
send email to splimpto@nsf.gov. the level of continued funding. To Activities: Comment Request
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

Individuals who use a support this review and the National Science Foundation.
AGENCY:
telecommunications device for the deaf management of a Center, STCs will be Submission for OMB Review;
ACTION:
(TDD) may call the Federal Information required to develop a set of management Comment Request.
Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877– and performance indicators for
8339, which is accessible 24 hours a submission annually to NSF via an NSF SUMMARY: The National Science
day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year evaluation technical assistance Foundation (NSF) has submitted the
(including federal holidays). contractor. These indicators are both following information collection

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Document Created: 2015-12-15 11:58:22
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 11:58:22

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice and request for comments.
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.
FR Citation		80 FR 50328