[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 5, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 24189]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-11280]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Submission for OMB review; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted the 
following information collection requirement to OMB for review and 
clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13. 
This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published 
in the Federal Register at 64 FR 531, and no comments were received. 
NSF is forwarding the proposed renewal submission to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with the 
publication of this second notice. Comments regarding (a) whether the 
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 
burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility ad clarity of the information 
to be collected; (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 should 
be addressed to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, 
Attention: Desk Officer for National Science Foundation, 725-17th 
Street, N.W. Room 10235, Washington, D.C. 20503, and to Suzanne H. 
Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 
Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, Arlington, Virginia 22230 or send email to 
[email protected]. Comments regarding these information collections are 
best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of 
this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by 
calling 703-306-1125 x2017.
    NSF may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless 
the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control 
number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to 
the collection of information that such persons are not required to 
respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently 
valid OMB control number.
    Title: National Science Foundation Grant Proposal Guide.
    OMB Control Number: 3145-0058.
    Summary of Collection: The mission of the National Science 
Foundation is to serve as a catalyst for progress through investment in 
science, mathematics and engineering. The agency is guided by its 
longstanding commitment to the highest standards of excellence in the 
support of discovery and learning. NSF pledges to provide the 
leadership and stewardship necessary to sustain and strengthen the 
Nation's science, mathematics, and engineering capabilities and to 
promote the use of those capabilities in service to society. NSF's 
continuing mission is set out in the preamble to the National Science 
Foundation Act of 1950 (Pub. L. 810507):

    ``To promote the progress of science; to advance the national 
health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense; and 
for other purposes.''

    The information collected is used to help the Foundation 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 
or renewal support for research in math/science/engineering education 
projects and makes approximately 10,000 new awards. The Foundation 
exercises its authority primarily by making merit-based grants and 
cooperative agreements and providing other forms of assistance to 
individual researchers and groups, in partnership with over 2800 
colleges, universities and other institutions--public and private, 
state, local and federal--throughout the U.S. The awards are based 
mainly on evaluations of proposal merit submitted to the Foundation 
(see OMB Clearance No. 3145-0060).
    The Foundation has a continuing commitment to monitor the 
operations of its review and award processes to identify and address 
excessive reporting burdens. The Foundation also is committed to 
monitor and identify any real or apparent inequities based on gender, 
race, ethnicity, or handicap of the proposed principal investigator(s)/
project director(s) or co-principal investigator(s)/co-project 
director(s). The collection of this information is a part of the 
regular submission of proposal to the Foundation. This information also 
is protected by the Privacy Act.
    Description of Respondents: Nonprofit institutions; state, local or 
tribal governments; and business or other for-profit.
    Number of Respondents: 30,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: The Foundation estimates that an average of 120 
hours is expended for each proposal submitted. If an estimated 30,000 
proposals are expected during the course of one year, these figures 
compute to an estimated 3,600,000 public burden hours annually.

    Dated: April 30, 1999.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 99-11280 Filed 5-4-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M