[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 214 (Thursday, November 5, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 59809]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-29604]



[[Page 59809]]

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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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    Title of Collection: NSF Proposal Review Process (OMB Control No. 
3145-0060).
    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 Suzanne Plimpton, NSF 
Reports Clearance Officer, at (703) 306-1125x2017.
    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 2,000 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 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 
reviewed by mail reviewers alone. Another one-fourth are reviewed 
exclusively by panels of reviewers who gather, usually in Arlington, 
VA, 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) What is 
the intellectual merit of the proposed activity? (2) What are the 
broader impacts of the proposed activity?
    The information collected on reviewer background questionnaires is 
used by managers to maintain an automated database 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 information regarding 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 Suzanne Plimpton, Clearance Officer, National 
Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, Arlington, VA 
22230. Written comments should be received by December 30, 1998.

    Dated: October 30, 1998.
Mary Lou Higgs,
Acting NSF Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-29604 Filed 11-4-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M