[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 217 (Thursday, November 8, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56578-56579]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-28049]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Emergency Clearance; Public Information Collection Requirements 
Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget; Notice

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements 
Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
request approval 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 an 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 3 years.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the 
burden or any other aspect of these collections of information 
requirements. However, as noted below, comments on these information 
collection and record keeping requirements must be received by the 
designees referenced below by November 13, 2001.

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], and
    Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management 
and Budget, Room 10235, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 
20503. Attn: Lauren Wittenberg, NSF Desk Officer.
    Comments: Written 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; 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.
    We are, however, requesting an emergency review of the information 
collection referenced below. In compliance with the requirement of 
section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we have 
submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the following 
requirements for emergency review. We are requesting an emergency 
review because the collection of this information is needed before the 
expiration of the normal time limits under OMB's regulations at 5 CFR 
part 1320.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance 
Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, 
Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone (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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Emergency Clearance for Data Collection in Support of A 
Cross-Site Evaluation of National Science Foundation's Directorate 
for Education and Human Resources The Cross Site Analysis of The 
Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) 
Program

    OMB Approval Number: OMB 3145-(new).
    Expiration Date: Not applicable.
    Abstract: The National Science Foundation requests a 180-day 
emergency clearance for the Cross Site Analysis of the Integrative 
Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) Program. This site-
based interview component is a part of a mixed method impact study and 
complements and verifies data from the previously cleared IGERT 
Distance Monitoring System. NSF has determined that it cannot 
reasonably comply with the normal clearance procedures both because of 
the time-sensitive nature of this portion of the IGERT evaluation, and 
because of the burden to the 1998 cohort projects, and to visiting peer 
scientists, who have already agreed to participate in site visits. 
Without emergency clearance, it will not be possible to complete the 15 
site visits in this cohort of projects (currently in their third year) 
during this academic year. For data to be useful to the IGERT Program 
Office, visits must be made during this pivotal third year of the five-
year funding cycle, which allows time both for sufficient program 
development, and for NSF-requested project modifications, if necessary. 
The projects involve multiple departments/schools within universities 
as well as external partners and scheduling visits is difficult. Many 
sites have scheduled visits on the expectation of clearance and would 
be forced to reschedule

[[Page 56579]]

without this emergency clearance, seriously inconveniencing both 
university personnel and other site visit participants.
    Respondents: Individuals or households, business or other for-
profit, and not-for profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 880.
    Burden on the Public: 843 hours.

    Dated: November 2, 2001.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
NSF Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-28049 Filed 11-7-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M