[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 158 (Wednesday, August 14, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42271-42272]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-20735]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Proposed Collection: Comment Request

Title of Proposed Collection

    National Science Foundation Proposal Evaluation Process.
    In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on 
proposed data collection projects, the National Science Foundation 
(NSF) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. To request 
more information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the 
data collection plans and instruments, call Herman Fleming, NSF 
Clearance Officer at (703) 306-1243.
    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.

Proposed Project Proposal Evaluation Process

    The missions of the NSF are to: increase the Nation's base of 
scientific and engineering knowledge and strengthen its ability to 
support research in all areas of science and engineering; promote 
innovative science and engineering education programs that can better 
prepare the Nation to meet the challenges of the future; and promote 
international cooperation in science and engineering. The Foundation is 
also committed to ensuring the Nation's supply of scientists, engineers 
and science educators. In its role as leading Federal supporter of 
science and engineering, NSF also has an important role in national 
policy planning.
    The Foundation fulfills this responsibility by initiating and 
supporting merit-selected research and education projects in all the 
scientific and engineering disciplines. This support is made primarily 
through grants, contracts, and other agreements awarded to 
approximately 2,800 colleges, universities, academic consortia, 
nonprofit institutions, and small businesses.
    The Foundation relies heavily on the advice and assistance of 
external advisory committees, ad-hoc proposal reviewers, and to other 
experts to ensure

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that the Foundation is able to reach fair and knowledgeable judgments. 
These scientists and educators come from colleges and universities, 
nonprofit research and education organizations, industry, and other 
Government agencies.
    In making its decisions on proposals the counsel of these merit 
reviewers has proven invaluable to the Foundation both in the 
identification of meritorious projects and in providing sound basis for 
project restructuring.
    Review of proposals may involve large panel sessions, small groups, 
or use of a mail-review system. Proposals are reviewed carefully by 
scientists or engineers who are expert in the particular field 
represented by the proposal. About one-fourth are reviewed by mail 
reviewers alone. Another one-fourth are reviewed exclusively by panels 
of reviewers who gather, usually in Washington, to discuss their advice 
as well as to deliver it. The remaining one-half are reviewed first by 
mail reviewers expert in the particular field, then by panels, usually 
of persons with more diverse expertise, who help the NSF decide among 
proposals from multiple fields or sub-fields.

Use of the Information

    The information collected is used to support grant programs of the 
Foundation.
    The information collected on the proposal evaluation forms is used 
by the Foundation to determine the following criteria when awarding or 
declining proposals submitted to the agency: (1) Research performance 
competence; (2) Intrinsic merit of the research; (3) Utility or 
relevance of the research; and (4) Effect of the research on the 
infrastructure of science and engineering.
    The information collected on reviewer background questionnaires is 
used by managers to maintain an automated data base of reviewers for 
the many disciplines represented by the proposals submitted to the 
Foundation. Information collected on gender, race, ethnicity is used in 
meeting NSF needs for data to permit response to congressional and 
other queries into equity issues. These data are also used in the 
design, implementation, and monitoring of NSF efforts to increase the 
participation of various groups in science, engineering, and education.

Confidentiality

    Verbatim but anonymous copies of reviews are sent to the principal 
investigators/project directors. Subject to this NSF policy and 
applicable laws, including the Freedom of Information Act, reviewers' 
comments will be given maximum protection from disclosure.
    While listings of panelists' names are released, the names of 
individual reviewers, associated with individual proposals, are not 
released to anyone.
    Because the Foundation is committed to monitoring and identifying 
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), 
the Foundation also collects race, ethnicity, disability, and gender. 
This information is also protected by the Privacy Act.

Burden on the Public

    The Foundation estimates that anywhere from one hour to twenty 
hours may be required to review a proposal. It is estimated that 
approximately five hours are required to review an average proposal. 
Each proposal receives an average of seven reviews.
    Send comments to Herman Fleming, Clearance Officer, National 
Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 485, Arlington, VA 
22230. Written comments should be received by October 4, 1996.

    Dated: August 8, 1996.
Herman G. Fleming,
Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 96-20735 Filed 8-13-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M