[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 33 (Wednesday, February 19, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7434-7435]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-3993]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

agency: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, 
USDA.

action: Notice and request for comments.

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summary: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Cooperative State Research, Education, and 
Extension Service's (CSREES) intention to request an extension for and 
revision to a currently approved information collection in support of 
the CSREES National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program 
(NRICGP).

dates: Comments on this notice must be received by April 21, 1997 to be 
assured of consideration.

additional information or comments: Contact Sally J. Rockey, Deputy 
Administrator, Competitive Research Grants and Awards Management, 
CSREES, USDA, STOP 2240, Washington, DC 20250-2240, (202) 401-1766. E-
mail: [email protected].

supplementary information: 
    Title: CSREES/National Research Initiative Competitive Grants 
Program.
    OMB Number: 0524-0033.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 1997.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: USDA/CSREES administers the NRICGP, under which 
competitive, peer-reviewed research grants of a high-priority nature 
are awarded. This program is authorized pursuant to the authorities 
contain in section 2(b) of the Act of August 4, 1965, as amended by 
section 1615 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 
1990 (FACT Act) (7 U.S.C. 450i(b)) (1965 Act, as amended).
    Before awards can be made, certain information is required from 
applicants as part of an overall proposal package. In addition to 
project summaries, descriptions of the research, literature reviews, 
curricula vitae of principal investigators, and other, relevant 
technical aspects of the proposed project, supporting documentation of 
an administrative and budgetary nature also must be provided. Because 
of the nature of the competitive, peer-reviewed process, it is 
important that information from applicants be available in a 
standardized format to ensure equitable treatment.
    Each year, an NRICGP solicitation is issued requesting proposals 
for various research areas. Applicant submit proposals for these 
various research areas following the format outlined in the yearly 
Program Description. These proposals are evaluated by peer review 
panels and awarded on a competitive basis.
    The NRICGP has been using the ``Application Kit'' (OMB Approval 
0525-0022) developed for general CSREES use since the inception of the 
NRICGP in Fiscal Year 1991. This kit includes the necessary forms and 
instructions to applicants requesting support under various competitive 
and noncompetitive funding programs sponsored by CSREES. In 1994, the 
NRICGP sought and received approval of three forms specific to the 
needs of the NRICGP, including one form used by CSREES for meeting the 
compliance requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969.
    Forms CSREES-1232, ``Project Summary,'' CSREES-1233, ``Conflict of 
Interest,'' and CSREES-1234, ``National Environmental Policy Act 
Exclusions Form'' are mainly used for proposal evaluation and 
administration. While some of the information will be used to respond 
to inquiries from Congress and other government agencies, the forms are 
not designed to be statistical surveys

[[Page 7435]]

or data collection instruments. Their completion by potential 
recipients is a normal part of the application to Federal agencies 
which support basic and applied scientific research.
    The following information has been collected and will continue to 
be collected:
    CSREES-1232--Proposal Identification: Lists the Principal 
Investigator(s) and their institution(s), the proposal type 
(distinguishes among funding mechanisms), project title, and key words, 
along with a project summary which allows for quick screening and 
assignment of proposals to peer reviewers.
    CSREES-1233--Identification of Conflicts of Interest: Lists the 
person(s) who are in conflict of interest with the applicant(s). This 
has been used when selecting peer review panels to assure objective 
reviews, and has been revised to specifically cite potential conflicts 
of interest by category to better meet the requirements set out in 7 
CFR 3411.12.
    CSREES-1234--Collection of Environmental Impact Information: Allows 
identification of whether or not the proposal fits one of the 
exclusions listed for compliance with the National Environmental Policy 
Act (7 CFR part 3407). This information has been and will continue to 
be used in determinations as to whether or not further action is needed 
to meet the requirements of this Act.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average one and one-quarter hour per 
response.
    Respondents: Non-profit institutions, individuals, businesses, 
Federal Government, and State, Local, or Tribal Governments.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3,200 for the CSREES-
1232 and CSREES-1233; 4,800 for the CSREES-1234.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 4,400 hours, broken 
down by: 1,600 hours for the CSREES-1232 (one-half hour per 3,200 
respondents); 1,600 hours for the CSREES-1233 (one-half hour per 3,200 
respondents); and 1,200 hours for the CSREES-1234 (one-quarter hour per 
4,800 respondents).
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Suzanne 
Plimpton, Policy and Program Liaison Staff, CSREES, (202) 401-1302. E-
mail: [email protected].
    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 will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of 
the burden of the proposed collection of information including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; 
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. Comments may be 
sent to: Sally J. Rockey, Deputy Administrator, Competitive Research 
Grants and Awards Management, CSREES, USDA, STOP 2240, Washington, DC. 
20250-2240, (202) 401-1766. E-mail: [email protected].
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments also will become a matter of 
public record.

    Done at Washington, DC, on this 7th day of February, 1997.
B.H. Robinson,
Administrator, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-3993 Filed 2-18-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-22-M