[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 209 (Tuesday, October 29, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57887-57888]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-23571]
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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request;
Grantee Reporting Requirements for Nanoscale Science and Engineering
Centers (NSECs)
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to
renew this collection. In accordance with the requirements of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are providing opportunity for
public comment on this action. After obtaining and considering public
comment, NSF will prepare the submission requesting Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) clearance of this collection for no longer
than 3 years.
DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by December 30,
2019 to be assured consideration. Comments received after that date
will be considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to address
below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance
Officer, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite
W18200, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone (703) 292-7556; or send
email
[[Page 57888]]
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).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting Requirements for Nanoscale
Science and Engineering Centers (NSECs).
OMB Number: 3145-0229.
Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 2019.
Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to renew an information
collection.
Proposed Project: The Nanoscale Science and Engineering Centers
(NSECs) Program supports innovation in the integrative conduct of
research, education, and knowledge transfer. NSECs build intellectual
and physical infrastructure within and between disciplines, weaving
together knowledge creation, knowledge integration, and knowledge
transfer. NSECs conduct world-class research through partnerships of
academic institutions, national laboratories, industrial organizations,
and/or other public/private entities. New knowledge thus created is
meaningfully linked to society. NSECs enable and foster excellent
education, integrate research and education, and create bonds between
learning and inquiry so that discovery and creativity more fully
support the learning process. NSECs capitalize on diversity through
participation in center activities and demonstrate leadership in the
involvement of groups underrepresented in science and engineering.
NSECs will be required to submit annual reports on progress and
plans, which will be used as a basis for performance review and
determining the level of continued funding. To support this review and
the management of a Center, NSECs will be required to develop a set of
management and performance indicators for submission annually to NSF
via the Research Performance Project Reporting module in Research.gov
and an external technical assistance contractor that collects
programmatic data electronically. These indicators are both
quantitative and descriptive and may include, for example, the
characteristics of center personnel and students; sources of financial
support and in-kind support; expenditures by operational component;
characteristics of industrial and/or other sector participation;
research activities; education activities; knowledge transfer
activities; patents, licenses; publications; degrees granted to
students involved in Center activities; descriptions of significant
advances and other outcomes of the NSEC effort. Such reporting
requirements will be included in the cooperative agreement which is
binding between the academic institution and the NSF.
Each Center's annual report will address the following categories
of activities: (1) Research, (2) education, (3) knowledge transfer, (4)
partnerships, (5) diversity, (6) management and (7) budget issues.
For each of the categories the report will describe overall
objectives for the year, problems the Center has encountered in making
progress towards goals, anticipated problems in the following year, and
specific outputs and outcomes.
NSECs are required to file a final report through the RPPR and
external technical assistance contractor. Final reports contain similar
information and metrics as annual reports, but are retrospective.
Use of the Information: NSF will use the information to continue
funding of the Centers, and to evaluate the progress of the program.
Estimate of Burden: 200 hours per center for thirteen centers for a
total of 2,600 hours.
Respondents: Non-profit institutions.
Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One from each of the
thirteen NSECs.
Comments: Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of
the functions of the Agency, including whether the information shall
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of
the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information on
respondents, including through the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology; 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.
Dated: October 24, 2019.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2019-23571 Filed 10-28-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P