81 FR 91961 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 243 (December 19, 2016)
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 243 (December 19, 2016)
| Page Range | 91961-91962 | |
| FR Document | 2016-30395 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 243 (Monday, December 19, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 91961-91962] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-30395] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request AGENCY: National Science Foundation. ACTION: Submission for OMB review; comment request. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal Register at 81 FR 49689, and one comment was 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 may be found at: http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. Comments: Comments regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the NSF, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the NSF'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, 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, including through the [[Page 91962]] use of appropriate automated 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 7th 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]. DATES: 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 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 July 28, 2016, at 81 FR 49689. We received one comment, to which we here respond. Commenter: The comment requested NSF consider the use of administrative records, specifically the National Student Clearinghouse, to obtain information on education background in lieu of asking this information from respondents on the National Survey of College Graduates (NSCG). Response: NSF informed the commenter that, at the request of NSF, the Census Bureau's Center for Administrative Records Research and Application is conducting research to compare administrative records data with the NSCG respondent-provided data. This research will inform survey content discussions for future NSCG cycles and will provide insight on the necessity of certain NSCG questionnaire items including the education background items. After consideration of this comment, we are moving forward with our submission to OMB. Title of Collection: 2015 National Survey of College Graduates. OMB Approval Number: 3145-0141. Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to renew an information collection for three years. Abstract: The National Survey of College Graduates (NSCG) has been conducted biennially since the 1970s. The 2017 NSCG sample will be selected from the 2015 American Community Survey (ACS) and the 2015 NSCG. By selecting sample from these two sources, the 2017 NSCG will provide coverage of the college graduate population residing in the United States. The purpose of this longitudinal survey is to collect data that will be used to provide national estimates on the science and engineering workforce and changes in their employment, education, and demographic characteristics. The National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as subsequently amended, includes a statutory charge to ``. . . provide a central clearinghouse for the collection, interpretation, and analysis of data on scientific and engineering resources, and to provide a source of information for policy formulation by other agencies of the Federal Government.'' The NSCG is designed to comply with these mandates by providing information on the supply and utilization of the nation's scientists and engineers. The U.S. Census Bureau, as in the past, will conduct the NSCG for NSF. The survey data collection will begin in March 2017 using web and mail questionnaires. Nonrespondents to the web or mail questionnaire will be followed up by computer-assisted telephone interviewing. The individual's response to the survey is voluntary. The survey will be conducted in conformance with Census Bureau statistical quality standards and, as such, the NSCG data will be afforded protection under the applicable Census Bureau confidentiality statues. Use of the Information: NSF uses the information from the NSCG to prepare congressionally mandated reports such as Women, Minorities and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering and Science and Engineering Indicators. A public release file of collected data, designed to protect respondent confidentiality, will be made available to researchers on the Internet. Expected Respondents: A statistical sample of approximately 123,500 persons will be contacted in 2017. This 123,500 sample is a 5,500 case increase over the sample size listed in the first notice for public comment in the Federal Register at 81 FR 49689. The larger sample size is needed to account for the increased size of the college-educated population as well as lower response rates in recent years. NSF estimates the 2017 NSCG response rate to be 70 to 80 percent. Estimate of Burden: The amount of time to complete the questionnaire may vary depending on an individual's circumstances; however, on average it will take approximately 30 minutes to complete the survey. NSF estimates that the total annual burden will be no more than 49,400 hours (=123,500 respondents x 80% response x 30 minutes) during the 2017 survey cycle. Dated: December 9, 2016. Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation. [FR Doc. 2016-30395 Filed 12-16-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 243 / Monday, December 19, 2016 / Notices 91961
invited on: (a) Whether the proposed duration of all awards is 4-years. The categories, the report will enumerate
collection of information is necessary anticipated funding level for each specific outputs and outcomes.
for the proper performance of the project team may receive support of up Use of the Information: The data
functions of the Foundation, including to a total of $2,000,000 spread over four collected will be used for NSF internal
whether the information will have years, pending the availability of funds. reports, historical data, and performance
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the In that sense EFRI awards are above the review by peer site visit teams, program
Foundation’s estimate of the burden of average single-investigator award level studies and evaluations, and for
the proposed collection of information; amounts. securing future funding for continued
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, EFRI-funded projects could include EFRI program maintenance and growth.
and clarity of the information to be research opportunities and mentoring Estimate of Burden: Approximately 10
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the for educators, scholars, and university hours per grant for approximately 80
burden of the collection of information students, as well as outreach programs grants per year for a total of 800 hours
on those who are to respond, including that help stir the imagination of K–12 per year.
through the use of automated collection students, often with a focus on groups Respondents: Principal Investigators
techniques or other forms of information underrepresented in science and who lead the EFRI grants.
technology. engineering. Estimated Number of Responses per
Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting We are seeking to collect additional Report: One report collected for each of
Requirements for the Emerging Frontiers information from the grantees about the the approximately 80 grantees every
in Research and Innovation program outcomes of their research that goes year.
OMB Number: 3145–0233. above and beyond the standard Dated: December 14, 2016.
Expiration Date of Approval: March reporting requirements used by the NSF
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
31, 2017. and spans over a period of 5 years after
Type of Request: Intent to seek Reports Clearance Officer, National Science
the award. This data collection effort
Foundation.
approval to renew an information will enable program officers to
[FR Doc. 2016–30447 Filed 12–16–16; 8:45 am]
collection system. longitudinally monitor outputs and
Abstract: outcomes given the unique goals and BILLING CODE 7555–01–P
Proposed Project: purpose of the program. This is very
The Emerging Frontiers in Research important to enable appropriate and
and Innovation (EFRI) program accurate evidence-based management of NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
recommends, prioritizes, and funds the program and to determine whether
interdisciplinary initiatives at the Agency Information Collection
or not the specific goals of the program Activities: Comment Request
emerging frontier of engineering are being met.
research and education. These Grantees will be required to submit AGENCY:National Science Foundation.
investments represent transformative this information on an annual basis to Submission for OMB review;
ACTION:
opportunities, potentially leading to: support performance review and the comment request.
new research areas for NSF, ENG, and management of EFRI grants by EFRI
other agencies; new industries or officers. EFRI grantees will be required SUMMARY: The National Science
capabilities that result in a leadership to submit these indicators to NSF via a Foundation (NSF) has submitted the
position for the country; and/or data collection Web site that will be following information collection
significant progress on a recognized embedded in NSF’s IT infrastructure. requirement to OMB for review and
national need or grand challenge. These indicators are both quantitative clearance under the Paperwork
Established in 2007, EFRI supports and descriptive and may include, for Reduction Act of 1995. This is the
cutting-edge research that is difficult to example, the characteristics of project second notice for public comment; the
fund through other NSF programs, such personnel and students; sources of first was published in the Federal
as single-investigator grants or large complementary cash and in-kind Register at 81 FR 49689, and one
research centers. EFRI seeks high-risk support to the EFRI project; comment was received. NSF is
opportunities with the potential for a characteristics of industrial and/or other forwarding the proposed renewal
large payoff where researchers are sector participation; research activities; submission to the Office of Management
encouraged to stretch beyond their education activities; knowledge transfer and Budget (OMB) for clearance
ongoing activities. Based on input from activities; patents, licenses; simultaneously with the publication of
workshops, advisory committees, publications; descriptions of significant this second notice. The full submission
technical meetings, professional advances and other outcomes of the may be found at: http://
societies, research proposals, and EFRI effort. Such reporting requirements www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
suggestions from the research will be included in the cooperative Comments: Comments regarding (a)
community the EFRI program identifies agreement which is binding between the whether the collection of information is
those emerging opportunities and academic institution and the NSF. necessary for the proper performance of
manages a formal process for funding Each submission will address the the functions of the NSF, including
their research. The emerging ideas following major categories of activities: whether the information will have
tackled by EFRI are ‘‘frontier’’ because (1) Knowledge transfer across practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
they not only push the understood disciplines, (2) innovation of ideas in NSF’s estimate of the burden of the
limits of engineering but actually areas of greater opportunity, (3) proposed collection of information; (c)
potential for translational research, (4) ways to enhance the quality, utility and
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
overlap multiple fields. The EFRI
funding process inspires investigators project results advance the frontier/ clarity of the information to be
with different expertise to work together creation of new fields of study, (5) collected, including through the use of
on one emerging concept. innovative research methods or automated collection techniques or
EFRI awards require multi- discoveries are introduced to the other forms of information technology;
disciplinary teams of at least one classroom, and (6) fostering (d) ways to minimize the burden of the
Principal Investigator and two Co- participation of underrepresented collection of information on those who
Principal Investigators. The anticipated groups in science. For each of the are to respond, including through the
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![91962 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 243 / Monday, December 19, 2016 / Notices
use of appropriate automated or other Abstract: The National Survey of Estimate of Burden: The amount of
forms of information technology should College Graduates (NSCG) has been time to complete the questionnaire may
be addressed to: Office of Information conducted biennially since the 1970s. vary depending on an individual’s
and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, The 2017 NSCG sample will be selected circumstances; however, on average it
Attention: Desk Officer for National from the 2015 American Community will take approximately 30 minutes to
Science Foundation, 725 7th Street Survey (ACS) and the 2015 NSCG. By complete the survey. NSF estimates that
NW., Room 10235, Washington, DC selecting sample from these two the total annual burden will be no more
20503, and to Suzanne H. Plimpton, sources, the 2017 NSCG will provide than 49,400 hours (=123,500
Reports Clearance Officer, National coverage of the college graduate respondents × 80% response × 30
Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson population residing in the United minutes) during the 2017 survey cycle.
Boulevard, Suite 1265, Arlington, States. The purpose of this longitudinal Dated: December 9, 2016.
Virginia 22230 or send email to survey is to collect data that will be
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
splimpto@nsf.gov. used to provide national estimates on
the science and engineering workforce Reports Clearance Officer, National Science
DATES: Comments regarding these Foundation.
information collections are best assured and changes in their employment,
[FR Doc. 2016–30395 Filed 12–16–16; 8:45 am]
of having their full effect if received education, and demographic
characteristics. BILLING CODE 7555–01–P
within 30 days of this notification.
Copies of the submission may be The National Science Foundation Act
obtained by calling 703–292–7556. NSF of 1950, as subsequently amended,
includes a statutory charge to ‘‘. . . POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION
may not conduct or sponsor a collection
of information unless the collection of provide a central clearinghouse for the [Docket Nos. CP2014–85; CP2017–70;
collection, interpretation, and analysis MC2017–45 and CP2017–71; MC2017–46
information displays a currently valid
of data on scientific and engineering and CP2017–72; MC2017–47 and CP2017–
OMB control number and the agency
resources, and to provide a source of 73; MC2017–48 and CP2017–74]
informs potential persons who are to
information for policy formulation by
respond to the collection of information New Postal Products
other agencies of the Federal
that such persons are not required to
Government.’’ The NSCG is designed to
respond to the collection of information AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.
comply with these mandates by
unless it displays a currently valid OMB ACTION: Notice.
providing information on the supply
control number.
and utilization of the nation’s scientists SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: and engineers.
Comments: As required by 5 CFR recent Postal Service filings for the
The U.S. Census Bureau, as in the Commission’s consideration concerning
1320.8(d), comments on the information past, will conduct the NSCG for NSF.
collection activities as part of this study negotiated service agreements. This
The survey data collection will begin in notice informs the public of the filing,
were solicited through publication of a March 2017 using web and mail
60-Day Notice in the Federal Register invites public comment, and takes other
questionnaires. Nonrespondents to the administrative steps.
on July 28, 2016, at 81 FR 49689. We web or mail questionnaire will be
received one comment, to which we DATES: Comments are due: December
followed up by computer-assisted
here respond. 21, 2016 (Comment due date applies to
telephone interviewing. The
Commenter: The comment requested individual’s response to the survey is Docket No. CP2014–85; Docket No.
NSF consider the use of administrative voluntary. The survey will be conducted CP2017–70; Docket Nos. MC2017–45
records, specifically the National in conformance with Census Bureau and CP2017–71; Docket Nos. MC2017–
Student Clearinghouse, to obtain statistical quality standards and, as 46 and CP2017–72); and December 22,
information on education background in such, the NSCG data will be afforded 2016 (Comment due date applies to
lieu of asking this information from protection under the applicable Census Docket Nos. MC2017–47 and CP2017–
respondents on the National Survey of Bureau confidentiality statues. 73; Docket Nos. MC2017–48 and
College Graduates (NSCG). Use of the Information: NSF uses the CP2017–74).
Response: NSF informed the information from the NSCG to prepare ADDRESSES: Submit comments
commenter that, at the request of NSF, congressionally mandated reports such electronically via the Commission’s
the Census Bureau’s Center for as Women, Minorities and Persons with Filing Online system at http://
Administrative Records Research and Disabilities in Science and Engineering www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit
Application is conducting research to and Science and Engineering Indicators. comments electronically should contact
compare administrative records data A public release file of collected data, the person identified in the FOR FURTHER
with the NSCG respondent-provided designed to protect respondent INFORMATION CONTACT section by
data. This research will inform survey confidentiality, will be made available telephone for advice on filing
content discussions for future NSCG to researchers on the Internet. alternatives.
cycles and will provide insight on the Expected Respondents: A statistical FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
necessity of certain NSCG questionnaire sample of approximately 123,500 David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at
items including the education persons will be contacted in 2017. This 202–789–6820.
background items. 123,500 sample is a 5,500 case increase SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
After consideration of this comment, over the sample size listed in the first
notice for public comment in the Table of Contents
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
we are moving forward with our
submission to OMB. Federal Register at 81 FR 49689. The I. Introduction
Title of Collection: 2015 National larger sample size is needed to account II. Docketed Proceeding(s)
Survey of College Graduates. for the increased size of the college-
OMB Approval Number: 3145–0141. educated population as well as lower I. Introduction
Type of Request: Intent to seek response rates in recent years. NSF The Commission gives notice that the
approval to renew an information estimates the 2017 NSCG response rate Postal Service filed request(s) for the
collection for three years. to be 70 to 80 percent. Commission to consider matters related
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Document Created: 2016-12-17 03:15:33
Document Modified: 2016-12-17 03:15:33
| 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 | Submission for OMB review; comment request. | |
| Dates | 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 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. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 91961 |
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