[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 245 (Friday, December 20, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 77961]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-32057]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service


Notice of Intent To Establish an Information Collection

AGENCY: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, 
USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations at 5 CFR part 1320, 
this notice announces the Cooperative State Research, Education, and 
Extension Service's (CSREES) intention to request approval to establish 
an information collection for the CSREES proposal review process.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by February 24, 
2003, to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Written comments concerning this notice may be mailed to 
Robert C. MacDonald, Grants Policy Program Leader, Information Systems 
and Technology Management, CSREES, USDA, STOP 2216, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-2216 or sent electronically to: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request a copy of the information 
collection, contact Robert C. MacDonald, (202) 205-5967.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: CSREES Proposal Review Process.
    OMB Number: 0524-NEW.
    Expiration Date of Current Approval: Not applicable.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to establish an 
information collection for three years.
    Abstract: The Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension 
Service (CSREES) is responsible for performing a review of proposals 
submitted to CSREES competitive award programs in accordance with 
section 103(a) of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education 
Reform Act of 1998, 7 U.S.C. 7613(a). Reviews are undertaken to ensure 
that projects supported by CSREES are of high quality, and are 
consistent with the goals and requirements of the funding program.
    Proposals submitted to CSREES undergo a programmatic evaluation to 
determine worthiness of Federal support. The evaluations consist of a 
peer review and may also entail an assessment by Federal employees and 
mail-in reviews.
    The information collected from the evaluations is used to support 
CSREES grant programs. CSREES uses the results of the proposal 
evaluation to determine whether a proposal should be declined or 
recommended for award. When CSREES has rendered a decision, copies of 
reviews, excluding the names of the reviewers, and summaries of review 
panel deliberations, if any, are provided to the submitting Project 
Director. Listings of panelists' names are released; however, no 
association is made with the review of an individual proposal.
    Estimate of Burden: CSREES estimates that anywhere from one hour to 
twenty hours may be required to review a proposal. It is estimated that 
approximately five hours are required to review an average proposal. 
Each proposal receives an average of four reviews.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Robert 
C. MacDonald, Grants Policy Program Leader, Information Systems and 
Technology Management, CSREES, USDA, STOP 2216, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-2216. Telephone (202) 205-5967. E-
mail: [email protected].
    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 will 
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 to be 
collected; 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.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 10th day of December, 2002.
Joseph J. Jen,
Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics.
[FR Doc. 02-32057 Filed 12-19-02; 8:45 am]
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