[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 49 (Thursday, March 13, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12107-12108]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-5959]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Intent to Seek Approval to Establish an Information 
Collection

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
request clearance 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 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 three years.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by May 12, 2003 
to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will 
be considered to the extent practicable.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Teresa R. Pierce, Reports 
Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, 
Suite 295, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone (703) 292-7555; or sent 
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. to 8 p.m., Eastern 
time, Monday through Friday. You also may obtain a copy of the data 
collection instrument and instructions from Ms. Pierce.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title of Collection: Survey of IGERT recipients.
    OMB Number: 3145-NEW.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to establish an 
information collection.

Abstract

    The Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) 
program was initiated in 1997 and now comprises approximately 100 award 
sites. The IGERT program has been developed to meet the challenges of 
educating U.S. Ph.D. scientists, engineers, and educators with the 
interdisciplinary backgrounds, deep knowledge in chosen disciplines, 
and technical, professional, and personal skills to become in their own 
careers the leaders and creative agents for change. The program is 
intended to catalyze a cultural change in graduate education, for 
students, faculty, and institutions, by establishing innovative new 
models for graduate education and training in a fertile environment for 
collaborative research that transcends traditional disciplinary 
boundaries. It is also intended to facilitate greater diversity in 
student participation and preparation, and to contribute to the 
development of a diverse, globally-engaged science and engineering 
workforce. As part of this endeavor, IGERT awardees are expected to 
integrate instruction in ethics and the responsible conduct to research 
into their training programs. However, no mechanism is currently in 
place to determine (1) Whether such instruction occurs once the award 
is made, and (2) whether such instruction meets its goals. Thus, the 
NSF would like to survey IGERT recipients to answer the above 
questions.

Proposed Project

    IGERT awardees will be invited, via email correspondence, to access 
a web-based survey document by a given date. This survey encompasses 22 
questions, some with multiple parts, and is designed to assess the 
presence and relative strengths and weaknesses of any ethics training 
programs offered as part of the IGERT program at the awardee's 
institution.
    Use of the Information: The results of the survey will be used to 
update Program Announcements and annual report requirements to reflect 
NSF's desire to promote the development of ethically trained 
scientists. Any additional reports developed with the survey results 
will be distributed to all IGERT awardees.
    Estimate of Burden: 60 minutes per respondent, for 100 respondents, 
totaling 100 hours.
    Respondents: Individuals.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Report: 1.

[[Page 12108]]

    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 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; 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.

    Dated: March 7, 2003.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 03-5959 Filed 3-12-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M