[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 95 (Friday, May 16, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26674-26675]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-12215]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Submission for OMB review; comment request.

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SUMMARY: 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 79161 on December 27, 2002 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.

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 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 Teresa R. Pierce, 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) 292-7555.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Teresa R. Pierce, NSF Reports 
Clearance Officer at (703) 292-7555 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 persons who are to 
respond to the collection of information 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: 2003 National Survey of Recent College 
Graduates
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0077.
    Abstract: The National Survey of Recent College Graduates (NSRCG) 
has been conducted biennially since 1974. The 2003 NSRCG will consist 
of a sample of individuals who have completed bachelor's and master's 
degrees in science and engineering from U.S. institutions.
    The purpose of this study is to provide national estimates on the 
new entrants in the science and engineering workforce and to provide 
estimates on the characteristics of recent bachelor's and master's 
graduates with science and engineering degrees. The study is one of 
three components of the Scientists and Engineers Statistical Data 
System (SESTAT), which produces national estimates of the size and 
characteristics of the nation's science and engineering population.
    The National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as subsequently 
amended, includes a statutory charge ``to provide a central 
clearinghouse for the collection, interpretation, and analysis of data 
on scientific and engineering resources, and to provide a source of 
information for policy formulation by other agencies of the Federal 
Government.'' The NSRCG is designed to comply with these mandates by 
providing information on the supply and utilization of the nation's 
recent bachelor's and master's level scientists and engineers. 
Collected data will be used to produce estimates of the characteristics 
of these individuals. They will also provide necessary input into the 
SESTAT labor force data system, which produces national

[[Page 26675]]

estimates of the size and characteristics of the country's science and 
engineering population. The Foundation uses this information to prepare 
congressionally mandated reports such as Women, Minorities and Persons 
with Disabilities in Science and Engineering and Science and 
Engineering Indicators. NSF publishes statistics from the survey in 
many reports, but primarily in the biennial series, Characteristics of 
Recent Science and Engineering Graduates in the United States. A public 
release file of collected data, designed to protect respondent 
confidentiality, also will be made available to researchers on CD-ROM 
and on the World Wide Web.
    Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. of Princeton, New Jersey will 
conduct the study for NSF. Data are obtained by mail questionnaire, 
computer assisted telephone interviews and web survey beginning October 
2003. The survey will be collected in conformance with the Privacy Act 
of 1974, the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended, and 
the Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Act of 2002. 
The individual's response to the survey is voluntary. NSF will insure 
that all information collected will be kept strictly confidential and 
will be used only for research or statistical purposes and for 
preparing scientific reports and articles.
    Expected Respondents: A statistical sample of approximately 18,000 
bachelor's and master's degree recipients in science, engineering, and 
health will be contacted in 2003. A total response rate in 2001 was 
80%.
    Burden on the Public: The amount of time to complete the 
questionnaire may vary depending on an individual's circumstances; 
however, on average it will take approximately 25 minutes to complete 
the survey. The total annual burden will be 6,000 hours during the 
year.

    Dated: May 12, 2003.
Teresa R. Pierce,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 03-12215 Filed 5-15-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M