[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 232 (Tuesday, December 3, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71991-71992]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-30526]


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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 emergency 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 six months.

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 December 26, 2002

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: Stuart Shapiro, 
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 or 
other forms of information technology.
    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. When we have received approval, we will begin the process 
for regular approval.

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: Title: Survey of Research and Development 
Expenditures at Universities and Colleges: Fiscal Year 2002.
    OMB Approval Number: OMB 3145-0100.
    Expiration Date: April 30, 2002.
    Use of the Information: This survey is conducted as an annual 
census of about 610 academic institutions and their 16 Federally-funded 
research and development centers. NSF's Division of Science Resources 
Statistics designs, supports, directs and administers periodic surveys 
and other data collections, including R&D surveys. Recently, coverage 
of (the Survey of Research and Development Expenditures at Universities 
and Colleges, http://www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/rdexp/start.htm) was expanded 
to collect information on R&D about each of the Nation's 36 Federally-
funded R&D centers, whether administered by universities (16), 
industrial firms (4), or nonprofit organizations (16). (As directed 
under the Federal Acquisition Regulations recorded in the Federal 
Register ``35.017-6 Master list of FFRDCs, [t]he National Science 
Foundation (NSF) maintains a list of FFRDCs. Primary sponsors will 
provide information on each FFRDC, including sponsoring agreements, 
mission statements, funding data, and type of R&D being performed, to 
the NSF upon its request for such information.'' The Division of 
Science Resources Statistics (SRS) maintains the Master FFRDC List, and 
thus fulfills this responsibility of NSF's as well. * * *
    The academic institutions account for over 95 percent of the 
Nation's academic R&D funds. This survey has

[[Page 71992]]

provided continuity of statistics since 1954 on R&D expenditures by 
source of funds and by science & engineering (S&E) field, with separate 
data requested on current fund expenditures for research equipment by 
S&E field. Statistics from the survey are published in NSF's annual 
publication series Academic Science and Engineering R&D Expenditures 
and are available electronically on the World Wide Web.
    The survey will be submitted electronically primarily to the 
administrators at the Institutional Research Offices. To minimize 
burden and provide for security, each institution is provided with 
their institutional code and password. Files are pre-loaded with the 
institution's previous year's data, instructions, help menus, and a 
complete program for editing and trend checking. A link is provided to 
print a complete pdf survey form. Respondents are encouraged to submit 
their response electronically via the web. Approximately 95% responded 
via the web and only 15 used other means to submit their data 
(telephone, paper, email) to this voluntary survey in FY 2001. A total 
response rate of 95.6% was obtained. Burden estimates are as follows:

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                                                               Bachelors
                                        Doctorate-   Masters-  degree or
                 Years                   granting    granting    below
                                          burden      burden     burden
                                           hours      hours      hours
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FY 1999...............................        29.3       13.0        7.4
FY 2000...............................        28.7       12.0       10.4
FY 2001...............................        30.2       11.9        9.0
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    Dated: November 26, 2002.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 02-30526 Filed 12-2-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M