[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 2 (Tuesday, January 5, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 531]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-25]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Comment Request: National Science Foundation Proposal/Award 
Information--Grant Proposal Guide

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
request renewed clearance of this collection. In accordance with the 
requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) 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 OMB clearance of this collection for no longer 
than 3 years.

DATES: Written comments should be received by March 8, 1999 to be 
assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be 
considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Written comments regarding the information collection and 
requests for copies of the proposed information collection request 
should be addressed to Suzanne Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, 
National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Rm. 295, Arlington, VA 
22230, or by e-mail to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne Plimpton on (703) 306-1125 x 
2017 or send e-mail 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 between 8 a.m. and 8 
p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title Of Collection: ``National Sciences Foundation Proposal/Award 
Information-Grant Proposal Guide''.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0058.
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 1999.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to extend with revision an 
information collection for three years.
    Proposed Project: The missions of 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; and 
promote innovative science and engineering education programs that can 
better prepare the Nation to meet the challenges of the future. The 
Foundation is 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 science policy planning.
    Use of the Information: The regular submission of proposals to the 
Foundation is part of the collection of information and is used to help 
NSF fulfill this responsibility by initiating and supporting merit-
selected research and education projects in all the scientific and 
engineering disciplines. NSF receives more than 30,000 proposals 
annually for new projects, and makes approximately 10,000 new awards. 
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 
awards are based mainly on evaluations of proposal merit submitted to 
the Foundation (proposal review is cleared under OMB Control No. 3145-
0060).
    The Foundation has a continuing commitment to monitor the 
operations of its information collection to identify and address 
excessive reporting burdens as well as to identify 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).
    Burden on the Public: The Foundation estimates that an average of 
120 hours is expended for each proposal submitted. An estimated 38,000 
proposals are expected during the course of one year. These figures 
compute to an estimated 4,560,000 public burden hours annually.
    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.

    Dated: December 29, 1998.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
NSF Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-25 Filed 1-4-99; 8:45 am]
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