83_FR_44844 83 FR 44674 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

83 FR 44674 - Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 170 (August 31, 2018)

Page Range44674-44675
FR Document2018-18981

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 83 FR 22293, and 54 comments were received 11 different organizations/institutions/individuals. 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.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 170 (Friday, August 31, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 170 (Friday, August 31, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44674-44675]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18981]


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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. This is the second 
notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal 
Register at 83 FR 22293, and 54 comments were received 11 different 
organizations/institutions/individuals. 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is 
announcing plans to request renewed clearance of this collection. The 
primary purpose of this revision is to implement changes described in 
the Supplementary Information section of this notice. Comments 
regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy 
of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are 
to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques 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 17th Street NW, Room 10235, 
Washington, DC 20503, and to Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance 
Officer, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, 
Alexandria, VA 22314, 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).
    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(s) 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.

Summary of Comments on the National Science Foundation Proposal and 
Award Policies and Procedures Guide and NSF's Responses

    The draft NSF PAPPG was made available for review by the public on 
the NSF website at http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/. NSF received 54 
responses from eleven commenters in response to the First Federal 
Register notice published on May 14, 2018, at 83 FR 22293. Please see 
https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain for the comments received, 
and NSF's responses.
    Title of Collection: ``National Science Foundation Proposal & Award 
Policies & Procedures Guide.''
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0058.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to extend with revision an 
information collection for three years.
    Proposed Project: The National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (Pub. 
L. 81-507) sets forth NSF's mission and purpose:
    ``To promote the progress of science; to advance the national 
health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense. . . 
.''
    The Act authorized and directed NSF to initiate and support:
     Basic scientific research and research fundamental to the 
engineering process;
     Programs to strengthen scientific and engineering research 
potential;
     Science and engineering education programs at all levels 
and in all the various fields of science and engineering;
     Programs that provide a source of information for policy 
formulation; and
     Other activities to promote these ends.
    NSF's core purpose resonates clearly in everything it does: 
Promoting achievement and progress in science and engineering and 
enhancing the potential for research and education to contribute to the 
Nation. While NSF's

[[Page 44675]]

vision of the future and the mechanisms it uses to carry out its 
charges have evolved significantly over the last six decades, its 
ultimate mission remains the same.
    Use of the Information: The regular submission of proposals to the 
Foundation is part of the collection of information and is used to help 
NSF fulfill this responsibility by initiating and supporting merit-
selected research and education projects in all the scientific and 
engineering disciplines. NSF receives more than 50,000 proposals 
annually for new projects, and makes approximately 11,000 new awards.
    Support is made primarily through grants, contracts, and other 
agreements awarded to approximately 2,000 colleges, universities, 
academic consortia, nonprofit institutions, and small businesses. The 
awards are based mainly on merit evaluations of proposals submitted to 
the Foundation.
    The Foundation has a continuing commitment to monitor the 
operations of its information collection to identify and address 
excessive reporting burdens as well as to identify any real or apparent 
inequities based on gender, race, ethnicity, or disability of the 
proposed principal investigator(s)/project director(s) or the co-
principal investigator(s)/co-project director(s).

Burden on the Public

    It has been estimated that the public expends an average of 
approximately 120 burden hours for each proposal submitted. Since the 
Foundation expects to receive approximately 50,600 proposals in FY 
2019, an estimated 6,072,000 burden hours will be placed on the public.
    The Foundation has based its reporting burden on the review of 
approximately 50,600 new proposals expected during FY 2019. It has been 
estimated that anywhere from one hour to 20 hours may be required to 
review a proposal. We have estimated that approximately 5 hours are 
required to review an average proposal. Each proposal receives an 
average of 3 reviews, resulting in approximately 759,000 hours per 
year.
    The information collected on the reviewer background questionnaire 
(NSF 428A) is used by managers to maintain an automated database of 
reviewers for the many disciplines represented by the proposals 
submitted to the Foundation. Information collected on gender, race, and 
ethnicity is used in meeting NSF needs for data to permit response to 
Congressional and other queries into equity issues. These data also are 
used in the design, implementation, and monitoring of NSF efforts to 
increase the participation of various groups in science, engineering, 
and education. The estimated burden for the Reviewer Background 
Information (NSF 428A) is estimated at 5 minutes per respondent with up 
to 10,000 potential new reviewers for a total of 833 hours.
    The aggregate number of burden hours is estimated to be 6,831,000. 
The actual burden on respondents has not changed.

    Dated: August 28, 2017.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2018-18981 Filed 8-30-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P

44674 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 170 / Friday, August 31, 2018 / Notices participating in a Work Study Program NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Comments regarding these and that the teacher-coordinator, information collections are best assured employer, and student each sign the Agency Information Collection of having their full effect if received agreement. Activities: Comment Request within 30 days of this notification. II. Review Focus: The Department of Copies of the submission(s) may be Labor is particularly interested in AGENCY:National Science Foundation. obtained by calling 703–292–7556. comments which: Submission for OMB review; ACTION: NSF may not conduct or sponsor a • Evaluate whether the proposed comment request. collection of information unless the collection of information is necessary collection of information displays a for the proper performance of the SUMMARY: The National Science currently valid OMB control number functions of the agency, including Foundation (NSF) has submitted the and the agency informs potential whether the information will have following information collection persons who are to respond to the practical utility; requirement to OMB for review and collection of information that such • Enhance the quality, utility, and clearance under the Paperwork persons are not required to respond to clarity of the information to be Reduction Act of 1995. This is the the collection of information unless it collected; second notice for public comment; the displays a currently valid OMB control • Evaluate the accuracy of the first was published in the Federal number. agency’s estimate of the burden of the Register at 83 FR 22293, and 54 comments were received 11 different Summary of Comments on the National proposed collection of information, organizations/institutions/individuals. Science Foundation Proposal and including the validity of the NSF is forwarding the proposed renewal Award Policies and Procedures Guide methodology and assumptions used; and NSF’s Responses • Minimize the burden of the submission to the Office of Management collection of information on those who and Budget (OMB) for clearance The draft NSF PAPPG was made are to respond, including through the simultaneously with the publication of available for review by the public on the use of appropriate automated, this second notice. The full submission NSF website at http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/ electronic, mechanical, or other may be found at: http:// dias/policy/. NSF received 54 responses technological collection techniques or www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. from eleven commenters in response to other forms of information technology, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The the First Federal Register notice e.g., permitting electronic submissions National Science Foundation (NSF) is published on May 14, 2018, at 83 FR of responses. announcing plans to request renewed 22293. Please see https:// III. Current Actions: The Department clearance of this collection. The primary www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain of Labor seeks an approval for the purpose of this revision is to implement for the comments received, and NSF’s extension of this information collection changes described in the Supplementary responses. in order to ensure effective Title of Collection: ‘‘National Science Information section of this notice. administration of the child labor Foundation Proposal & Award Policies Comments regarding (a) whether the programs. & Procedures Guide.’’ collection of information is necessary Type of Review: Extension. OMB Approval Number: 3145–0058. for the proper performance of the Type of Request: Intent to seek Agency: Wage and Hour Division. functions of the agency, including Title: Work-Study Program of the approval to extend with revision an whether the information will have information collection for three years. Child Labor Regulations. practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the OMB Number: 1235–0024. Proposed Project: The National agency’s estimate of burden including Science Foundation Act of 1950 (Pub. L. Affected Public: Business or other for- the validity of the methodology and profit, Not-for-profit institutions, Farms, 81–507) sets forth NSF’s mission and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance purpose: State, Local, or Tribal Government. the quality, utility and clarity of the Total Respondents: ‘‘To promote the progress of science; information to be collected; (d) ways to to advance the national health, WSP Applications: 10. minimize the burden of the collection of prosperity, and welfare; to secure the Written Participation Agreements: information on those who are to national defense. . . .’’ 500. respond, including through the use of The Act authorized and directed NSF Total Annual Responses: appropriate automated, electronic, to initiate and support: WSP Applications: 10. mechanical, or other technological • Basic scientific research and Written Participation Agreements: collection techniques or other forms of research fundamental to the engineering 1,000. information technology should be process; Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,529. Estimated Time per Response: addressed to: Office of Information and • Programs to strengthen scientific WSP Application: 121 minutes. Regulatory Affairs of OMB, Attention: and engineering research potential; Written Participation Agreement: 31 Desk Officer for National Science • Science and engineering education minutes. Foundation, 725 17th Street NW, Room programs at all levels and in all the Frequency: On occasion. 10235, Washington, DC 20503, and to various fields of science and Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance engineering; $0. Officer, National Science Foundation, • Programs that provide a source of Total Burden Cost (operation/ 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, information for policy formulation; and maintenance): $22,440. VA 22314, or send email to splimpto@ • Other activities to promote these daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES nsf.gov. Individuals who use a ends. Dated: August 27, 2018. telecommunications device for the deaf NSF’s core purpose resonates clearly Melissa Smith, (TDD) may call the Federal Information in everything it does: Promoting Director, Division of Regulations, Legislation Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877– achievement and progress in science and Interpretation. 8339, which is accessible 24 hours a and engineering and enhancing the [FR Doc. 2018–19022 Filed 8–30–18; 8:45 am] day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year potential for research and education to BILLING CODE 4510–27–P (including federal holidays). contribute to the Nation. While NSF’s VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:42 Aug 30, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00113 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\31AUN1.SGM 31AUN1

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 170 / Friday, August 31, 2018 / Notices 44675 vision of the future and the mechanisms implementation, and monitoring of NSF Energy Act (42 U.S.C. 2039, 2232b), the it uses to carry out its charges have efforts to increase the participation of Advisory Committee on Reactor evolved significantly over the last six various groups in science, engineering, Safeguards (ACRS) will hold meetings decades, its ultimate mission remains and education. The estimated burden on October 4–6, 2018, Three White Flint the same. for the Reviewer Background North, 11601 Landsdown Street, North Use of the Information: The regular Information (NSF 428A) is estimated at Bethesda, MD 20852. submission of proposals to the 5 minutes per respondent with up to Foundation is part of the collection of Thursday, October 4, 2018, Conference 10,000 potential new reviewers for a information and is used to help NSF Room 1C3 and 1C5, 11601 Landsdown total of 833 hours. fulfill this responsibility by initiating The aggregate number of burden Street, North Bethesda, MD 20852 and supporting merit-selected research hours is estimated to be 6,831,000. The 8:30 a.m.–8:35 a.m.: Opening and education projects in all the actual burden on respondents has not Remarks by the ACRS Chairman scientific and engineering disciplines. changed. (Open)—The ACRS Chairman will make NSF receives more than 50,000 Dated: August 28, 2017. opening remarks regarding the conduct proposals annually for new projects, of the meeting. Suzanne H. Plimpton, and makes approximately 11,000 new 8:35 a.m.–10:00 a.m.: Draft Rule on Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Emergency Preparedness for Small awards. Foundation. Support is made primarily through Modular Reactors (Open)—The grants, contracts, and other agreements [FR Doc. 2018–18981 Filed 8–30–18; 8:45 am] Committee will have briefings by and awarded to approximately 2,000 BILLING CODE 7555–01–P discussion with representatives of the colleges, universities, academic NRC staff regarding the subject draft consortia, nonprofit institutions, and rule. small businesses. The awards are based NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION 10:15 a.m.–12:00 p.m.: Annual mainly on merit evaluations of Sunshine Act Meetings Operating Reactor Experience Briefing proposals submitted to the Foundation. (Open)—The Committee will have an The Foundation has a continuing The National Science Board, pursuant annual briefing on operating experience commitment to monitor the operations to NSF regulations (45 CFR part 614), and significant events at the currently of its information collection to identify the National Science Foundation Act, as operating nuclear power plants. and address excessive reporting burdens amended, (42 U.S.C. 1862n–5), and the 1:00 p.m.–2:30 p.m.: Assessment of as well as to identify any real or Government in the Sunshine Act (5 the Quality of Selected NRC Research apparent inequities based on gender, U.S.C. 552b), hereby gives notice of a Projects (Open)—The Committee will race, ethnicity, or disability of the revision to an announcement of have a discussion on the assessment of proposed principal investigator(s)/ meetings for the transaction of National the quality of the selected NRC research project director(s) or the co-principal Science Board business. projects. investigator(s)/co-project director(s). FEDERAL REGISTER CITATION OF PREVIOUS 2:45 p.m.–6:00 p.m.: Preparation of ANNOUNCEMENT: 83 FR 43710, published ACRS Report (Open)—The Committee Burden on the Public on August 27, 2018. will continue its discussion of proposed It has been estimated that the public PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED TIME AND DATE OF ACRS report. expends an average of approximately MEETING: Thursday, August 30, 2018 120 burden hours for each proposal Friday, October 5, 2018, Conference from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Room 1C3 and 1C5, 11601 Landsdown submitted. Since the Foundation CHANGE IN THE MEETING: This meeting of Street, North Bethesda, MD 20852 expects to receive approximately 50,600 proposals in FY 2019, an estimated the National Science Board has been 8:30 a.m.–10:00 a.m.: Future ACRS 6,072,000 burden hours will be placed postponed. Notice of the new time and Activities/Report of the Planning and on the public. place will be provided when it is Procedures Subcommittee and The Foundation has based its rescheduled. Reconciliation of ACRS Comments and reporting burden on the review of CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: Recommendations (Open/Closed)—The approximately 50,600 new proposals Brad Gutierrez, bgutierr@nsf.gov, 703/ Committee will hear discussion of the expected during FY 2019. It has been 292–7000. Please refer to the National recommendations of the Planning and estimated that anywhere from one hour Science Board website for additional Procedures Subcommittee regarding to 20 hours may be required to review information. Meeting information and items proposed for consideration by the a proposal. We have estimated that schedule updates (time, place, subject Full Committee during future ACRS approximately 5 hours are required to matter, and status of meeting) may be meetings. [NOTE: A portion of this review an average proposal. Each found at http://www.nsf.gov/nsb/ meeting may be closed pursuant to 5 proposal receives an average of 3 meetings/notices.jsp#sunshine. U.S.C. 552b(c)(2) and (6) to discuss reviews, resulting in approximately Ann Bushmiller, organizational and personnel matters 759,000 hours per year. Senior Counsel to the National Science Board. that relate solely to internal personnel The information collected on the rules and practices of the ACRS, and [FR Doc. 2018–19123 Filed 8–29–18; 4:15 pm] reviewer background questionnaire information the release of which would BILLING CODE 7555–01–P (NSF 428A) is used by managers to constitute a clearly unwarranted maintain an automated database of invasion of personal privacy] reviewers for the many disciplines 10:15 a.m.–11:30 a.m.: Preparation of daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES represented by the proposals submitted NUCLEAR REGULATORY ACRS Report (Open)—The Committee to the Foundation. Information collected COMMISSION will continue its discussion of proposed on gender, race, and ethnicity is used in ACRS report. Meeting of the Advisory Committee on meeting NSF needs for data to permit 1:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.: Preparation of Reactor Safeguards response to Congressional and other ACRS Report (Open)—The Committee queries into equity issues. These data In accordance with the purposes of will continue its discussion of proposed also are used in the design, Sections 29 and 182b of the Atomic ACRS report. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:42 Aug 30, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00114 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\31AUN1.SGM 31AUN1


Document Created: 2018-08-31 00:53:36
Document Modified: 2018-08-31 00:53:36
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionSubmission for OMB review; comment request.
FR Citation83 FR 44674 
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