[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 32 (Tuesday, February 18, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7805-7806]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-3825]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Reinstate an Information 
Collection

AGENCY: National Science Foundation

ACTION: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request Under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), and as 
part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent 
burden, the National Science Foundation (NSF) is inviting the general 
public and other Federal agencies to comment on this proposed 
continuing information collection. This is the second notice for public 
comment; the first was published in the Federal Register at 67 FR 69574 
and no comments were received. NSF is forwarding the proposed 
submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance 
simultaneously with the publication of this second notice.

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DATES: Comments regarding these information collections are best 
assured of having their full effect if received by OMB within 30 days 
of publication in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES: Written comments regarding (a) Whether the collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
NSF, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) 
the accuracy of NSF's estimate of burden including the validity of the 
methodology and 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

[[Page 7806]]

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, NW Room 10235, Washington DC 20503, and to Suzanne H. Plimpton, 
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson 
Boulevard, Suite 295, Arlington, Virginia 22230 or send e-mail to 
[email protected]. Copies of the submission 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 e-mail to [email protected].
    An agency 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 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 NSF Support for Undergraduate 
Research Opportunities (URO).
    OMB Number: 3145-0121.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to reinstate an 
information collection for one year.
    Abstract: ``Evaluation of NSF Support for Undergraduate Research 
Opportunities (URO)''.
    Proposed Project: The National Science Foundation (NSF) manages a 
number of programs that provide meaningful research experiences for 
undergraduate students. This suite of programs include: Research 
Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), both the Site and Supplement 
components; Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI); the 
undergraduate research components in several of NSF's large research 
centers programs, e.g., Engineering Research Centers (ERC) Programs, 
Science and Technology Centers (STCs); and several institution-wide 
human resources development programs in which undergraduate research 
experiences are often one component.
    These Programs provide a wide range of U.S. undergraduate students 
with opportunities to conduct hands-on research under the mentorship of 
graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty in various types 
of higher education institutions, including small liberal arts 
colleges, minority-serving institutions, single-sex institutions, 
comprehensive universities, research universities, as well as non-
profit institutions in which science or engineering research is 
conducted.
    The purpose of the proposed evaluation is to examine the impact of 
undergraduate research experiences supported by NSF on the 
undergraduate student and faculty and other mentors who participate. 
Study questions include: Why do undergraduates choose to participate in 
research activities? What are the perceived advantages and 
disadvantages to faculty for mentoring undergraduates in research 
activities? What are the criteria for selecting students for research 
activities? What kinds of activities comprise undergraduate 
``research'' experiences? How do undergraduate research experiences 
affect students' decisions about their academic and work future?
    Use of the Information: The information will allow NSF to review 
its portfolio of programs in which a substantial number of 
undergraduates participate in research projects of faculty and other 
mentors to determine whether there needs to be any rebalancing. In 
addition, it will include an inventory of undergraduate research 
opportunities around the U.S. and contribute to the literature on best 
practices in undergraduate research experiences.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 20 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Individuals.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 9,333.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 4,328 hours.
    Frequency of Responses: One time.

    Dated: February 12, 2003.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 03-3825 Filed 2-14-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M