[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 41 (Thursday, March 2, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11642-11643]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-5079]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
32 CFR Part 209
University Research Initiative Support Program (URISP)
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, DoD.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: This proposed rule is to comply with section 802 of the
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 (Pub. L. 103-
160), which requires the Department of Defense to establish URISP, and
prescribe a regulation for carrying out the program. URISP is required
to be a competitive university research program for research and
development that is relevant to the requirements of the Department of
Defense, that is set aside for Colleges and Universities that have
received less than $2 million dollars from the Department of Defense
over the two previous fiscal years. URISP is oriented toward assisting
institutions build university research infrastructure in the fields of
science, engineering, and mathematics, so they may become more
competitive.
DATES: Written comments on this proposed rule must be received by May
1, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Forward comments to the Office of Director of Defense
Research and Engineering, Pentagon--3E1045, Washington, DC 20301-3080.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Art McGregor (703) 614-0205.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review''
It has been determined that 32 CFR part 209 is not a significant
regulation action. The rule does not:
(1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or
adversely affect in a material way the economy; a sector of the
economy; productivity; competition; jobs; the environment; public
health or safety; State, local, or tribal governments or communities;
(2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an
action taken or planned by another Agency; (3) Materially alter the
budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs,
or rights and obligations of recipients thereof; or (4) Raise novel
legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the President's
priorities, or the principles set forth in this Executive Order.
Public Law 96-354, ``Regulatory Flexibility Act'' (5 U.S.C. 601)
It has been certified that this rule is not subject to the
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601) because it would not, if
promulgated, have a significant economic impact on a substantial number
of small entities. The proposed rule does not place any economic
burdens on small entities. The primary effect on grantees administering
this rule will be a reduction in administrative cost and other burdens
resulting from the simplification and clarification of certain policies
and the elimination of policy differences among the Federal Agencies
promulgating this proposed rule.
Public Law 96-511, ``Paperwork Reduction Act'' (44 U.S.C. Chapter 44)
It has been certified that 32 CFR part 209 does not impose any
reporting or record keeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).
List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 209
Education, Grants, Institutions, and Universities.
Accordingly, title 32, chapter I, subchapter M is proposed to be
amended to add part 209 to read as follows:
PART 209--UNIVERSITY RESEARCH INITIATIVE SUPPORT PROGRAM (URISP)
Sec.
209.1 Purpose.
209.2 Applicability.
209.3 Definitions.
209.4 Policy.
209.5 Responsibilities.
Authority: Sec. 802 of Pub. L. 103-160 (see 10 U.S.C. 2358 note)
Sec. 209.1 Purpose.
This part establishes policy and assigns responsibilities under
section 802 of Public Law 103-160 (see 10 U.S.C. 2358 note).
Sec. 209.2 Applicability.
This part applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the
Military Departments, and Defense Agencies responsible for the majority
of the university basic research grants in the Department of Defense.
Sec. 209.3 Definitions.
(a) American Association of State Colleges and Universities
(AASCU). Institutions that are members of AASCU during the period that
peers are selected.
(b) Eligible Institutions. Institutions that may compete for URISP
funding are those that have received a total of less than $2 million in
obligations from the Department of Defense, over the two previous
fiscal years (FYs). A list of ineligible institutions will be attached
as an appendix to the URISP announcement, and institutions not on the
list are eligible to participate.
(c) Institutions. Institutions of Higher Education that have
accredited, degree-granting programs in science, engineering or
mathematics.
(d) Merit-based selection process. A university-based review using
peers who are members of the faculty or staff of an institution of
higher education that is a member of NASULGC or AASCU (section 802 of
Pub. L. 103-160).
(e) National Association of State Universities and Land Grant
Colleges (NASULGC). Institutions that are members of NASULGC during the
period that peers are selected.
(f) Research Offices. The research office under the Military
Services and Defense Agencies that are responsible for the majority of
the university basic research grants in the Department of Defense.
These are:
(1) Advanced Research Projects Agency.
(2) Air Force Office of Scientific Research.
(3) Army Research Office.
(4) Ballistic Missile Defense Organization.
(5) Office of Naval Research.
Sec. 209.4 Policy.
It is DoD policy that:
(a) The purpose of URISP is to help build the infrastructure in the
fields of science, engineering, and mathematics [[Page 11643]] that are
important to the Department of Defense, through the use of competitive,
multi-year grants to support the conduct of research and development
relevant to requirements of the Department of Defense, at institutions
that have received less than $2.0 million from the Department of
Defense over the 2 previous FYs (section 802 of Pub. L. 103-160).
(b) All URISP funds shall be obligated using a merit-based
selection process. The university peer reviewers shall be from the
faculty and staff of institutions that are members of NASULGC and ASSCU
(section 802 of Pub. L. 103-160).
(c) Institutions eligible to participate in URISP will be
determined using DoD obligation data for the two previous FYs.
Sec. 209.5 Responsibilities.
(a) The Director of Defense Research and Engineering, under the
Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology, shall ensure
that only eligible institutions are allowed to participate in URISP.
The Director of Defense Research and Engineering shall oversee the
approval of any selected scientific topical areas to be included in the
URISP announcement, and the allocation of funds among the research
offices. The URISP shall be reviewed annually and modified as
appropriate to ensure that defense requirements are being met.
(b) The Secretaries of the Military Departments, and the Directors
of the Defense Agencies responsible for the majority of the university
basic research grants, under OSD Principal Staff Assistants, shall
ensure that:
(1) All proposals chosen for URISP funding shall have been selected
through a merit-based selection process using university peer reviewers
selected only from the faculty and staff of institutions that are
members of the NASULGC and AASCU (section 802 of Pub. L. 103-160).
(2) Each project funded under URISP is reviewed annually to
determine if defense requirements are being met.
Dated: February 24, 1995.
L.M. Bynum,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 95-5079 Filed 3-1-95; 8:45 am]
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