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Agency Information Collection Activities: National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) Reviewer Request Form

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. T...

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National Science Foundation

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 , and no comments were received. NSF is forwarding the proposed submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with the publication of this second notice.

( printed page 55123)

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAmain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 401 Dulany Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; telephone (703) 292-7556; or send email to . 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: Comments regarding (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the NSF, including whether the information shall 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, use, and clarity of the information on respondents; and (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 the points of contact in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

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:

Title of Collection: National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) Reviewer Request Form.

OMB Control No.: 3145-0273.

Type of Request: Revision to and extension of approval of an information collection.

Proposed Project

For more than 70 years, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has supported the full spectrum of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research and education—from foundational, curiosity-driven discovery to use-inspired and solutions-oriented research that addresses national and economic challenges. Across this continuum, scientific discovery, innovation, and technology translation are deeply interconnected.

The NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) was established to strengthen the agency's capacity to accelerate the translation of research outputs to the market. TIP advances use-inspired and translational research through investments that support technology development, workforce development, and regional innovation as outlined in the CHIPS and Science Act.

Some examples of TIP investments include: Accelerating Research Translation (ART), ( www.nsf.gov/​funding/​opportunities/​art-accelerating-research-translation) Innovation Corps (I-Corps) ( beta.nsf.gov/​funding/​initiatives/​i-corps/​about-teams), Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) ( www.nsf.gov/​funding/​initiatives/​regional-innovation-engines), Pathways to Enable Open-Source Ecosystems (POSE) ( www.nsf.gov/​funding/​initiatives/​pathways-enable-open-source-ecosystems), and America's Seed Fund (SBIR/STTR) ( seedfund.nsf.gov/​).

Due to the breadth and specialized nature of these programs, the Directorate requires the ability to recruit reviewers with wide-ranging expertise, experience, and perspectives. Appropriate reviewers for TIP programs may come from varied sectors and professional backgrounds, including academia, industry, startups, venture development, technology transfer organizations, workforce development entities, regional innovation partnerships, nonprofit organizations, and open-source communities.

Accordingly, NSF requests renewal of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the TIP Directorate Reviewer Request Form. The information collection enables TIP programs to gather information necessary to identify and recruit reviewers whose expertise, experience, and professional backgrounds align with the objectives, subject matter, and evaluation needs of specific funding opportunities and merit review activities.

The information collection consists of two components. The first component aligns with the NSF-wide Reviewer Request Form (NSF 428A) and collects standard reviewer information, educational background, demographic information, and professional experience. The second component contains customizable program-specific questions that allow TIP programs to request additional information relevant to the goals and needs of individual programs or solicitations.

Program-specific information may include, but is not limited to:

The flexibility afforded by the customizable portion of the TIP Reviewer Request Form is necessary because reviewer qualifications appropriate for one TIP program may not adequately reflect the expertise required for another. The requested information will support TIP Program Directors in identifying reviewers with the appropriate expertise and perspectives necessary to conduct fair, rigorous, and context-appropriate merit review processes across the Directorate's diverse portfolio and funding activities.

Following standard OMB requirements, NSF will require OMB approval in advance and provide OMB with a copy of the form containing these questions and/or data fields. Data collected will be used strictly for reviewer recruiting purposes. The data collection burden to the individuals will be limited to no more than 10 minutes of the respondents' time in each instance.

Respondents: Members of the public who possess the expertise and experience qualifications to potentially review grant applications solicited by NSF's TIP directorate.

Estimated number of annual respondents: 3,000.

Burden on the public: It is estimated to take 10 minutes per respondent per form, for a total of 500 hours per year.

( printed page 55124)

Dated: August 24, 2026.

Suzanne H. Plimpton,

Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.

[FR Doc. 2026-17414 Filed 8-25-26; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7555-01-P

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91 FR 55122

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“Agency Information Collection Activities: National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) Reviewer Request Form,” thefederalregister.org (August 26, 2026), https://thefederalregister.org/documents/2026-17414/agency-information-collection-activities-national-science-foundation-nsf-directorate-for-technology-innovation-and-partn.