[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 195 (Friday, October 6, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59879-59880]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-25728]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Extend an Information 
Collection

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 61370 (November 10, 1999), 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: 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

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assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity 
of the information to be collected; or (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].

DATES: 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 
703-292-7556.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, NSF Reports 
Clearance Officer at 703-292-7556 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.
    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.

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 Fellowships 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 
(GPRA) 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.

    Dated: October 2, 2000.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-25728 Filed 10-5-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M