[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 217 (Wednesday, November 10, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61370-61371]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-29458]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Carry Out a New Information 
Collection

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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[[Page 61371]]

SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
request clearance of this collection. In accordance with the 
requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (Pub. L. 104-13), we are providing opportunity for public comment 
on this action. After obtaining and considering public comment, NSF 
will prepare the submission requesting that OMB approve clearance of 
this collection for no longer than 1 year.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by January 10, 
2000 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Suzanne H. Plimpton, 
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson 
Boulevard, Suite 295, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone (703) 306-
1125  x  2017; or send email 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. You also may obtain a copy 
of the data collection instrument and instructions from Ms. Plimpton.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title of Collection: Evaluation of the NSF Summer Programs in 
Japan, the NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Japan, and the NSF-
CGP Science Fellowships Program.
    OMB Number: 3145-NEW.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to carry out a new 
information collection for one year.
    Abstract: ``Evaluation of the NSF Summer Programs in Japan, the NSF 
Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Japan, and the NSF-CGP Science 
Fellowships Program''
    Proposed Project: The National Science Foundation (NSF), through 
its east Asia and Pacific Program within the Division of International 
Programs, manages a suite of programs designed to encourage and provide 
international research experiences for American scientists and 
engineers with Japanese colleagues. This suite of programs includes the 
NSF-CGP Science Fellowships and the Postdoctoral Research Fellowships 
in Japan for Ph.D.-holding scientists, and the Summer Institute in 
Japan and the Monbusho Summer Program for U.S. Graduate Students in 
Science and Engineering.
    These Programs provide opportunities for improvements in cultural 
sensitivity and in the knowledge of foreign scientific community 
infrastructure. The international collaborative experiences provided 
through the Programs may be ``catalytic'' by bringing scientists from a 
larger global pool together in ``discovery'' and ``connection,'' and by 
the American participants' sharing their newly-acquired knowledge, 
experiences and impressions with the domestic scientific community.
    The purpose of the proposed program evaluation is to assess the 
Programs within the context of both their individually-stated 
objectives and the greater NSF-wide objectives. The tenth anniversary 
this year of the Summer Institute in Japan marks an appropriate time 
for a longitudinal study of program effectiveness and success, 
particularly with regard to the effect of an early international 
experience on developing research careers. The JSPS and STA 
Postdoctoral Fellowships and the NSF-CGP Science Fellowship have a long 
history (more than a decade) by which their impact on both individual 
careers and the scientific community can be assessed.
    Use of the Information: The information will be used by NSF to 
assess the extent to which these approaches to developing international 
collaborations among young and experienced US and Asian researchers are 
achieving the intended programmatic goals and are consistent with the 
specific outcome goals defined in the context of the current NSF 
Strategic Plan required by the Government Performance and Results Act 
(GPAR) of 1993. Among NSF's outcome goals, the most relevant to its 
investments in developing collaborations with Asian researchers are: 
promoting discoveries at and across the frontier of science and 
engineering; facilitating connections between discoveries and their use 
in service to society; developing a diverse, globally oriented 
workforce of scientists and engineers.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 30 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Individuals.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Form: 1040.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 520 hours--1040 
respondents at \1/2\ hour per response.
    Frequency of Responses: One Time.

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; 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.

    Dated: November 5, 1999.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-29458 Filed 11-9-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M