[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 212 (Monday, November 3, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62304-62305]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-27585]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


Center for Scientific Review; Proposed Collection; Comment 
Request; Customer Satisfaction Surveys

SUMMARY: In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for the opportunity for public 
comment on the proposed data collection projects, the Center for 
Scientific Review (CSR), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), will 
publish periodic summaries of proposed projects to be submitted to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval.

Proposed Collection

    Title: Customer Satisfaction Surveys.
    Type of Information Collection Request: Reinstatement.
    Need and Use of Information Collection: The information collected 
in these surveys will be used by the Center for Scientific Review 
management and personnel: (1) To assess the quality of the modified 
operations and processes now used by CSR to review grant applications; 
(2) To assess the quality of service provided by CSR to our customers; 
(3) To examine and assess the effectiveness of the reorganization and 
reconfiguration of the peer review study committees based on customer 
input; (4) To develop new modes of operation based on customer need and 
customer feedback about the efficacy of implemented modifications. 
These surveys will almost certainly lead to quality improvement 
activities that will enhance and/or streamline CSR's operations. The 
major mechanism by which CSR will request input is through surveys. The 
survey for customers, i.e., past and present grant applicants, is 
generic, but will have slight variations tailored to the scientific 
subject category of each major Integrated Review Group (IRG). The next 
major reorganized IRGs to be evaluated consist of the Behavioral and 
Social Sciences peer review study sections. Surveys will be collected 
via Internet. Information gathered from these surveys will be presented 
to, and used directly by, CSR management to enhance the operations, 
processes, organization of, and services provided by the Center. 
Frequency of Response: The participants will respond once, unless there 
is a compelling reason for a subsequent survey.
    Affected public: Universities, not-for-profit institutions, 
business or other for-profit, small businesses and organizations, and 
individuals.
    Type of Respondents: Adult scientific professionals.
    The annual reporting burden is as follows: It is estimated that the 
survey form will take 20 minutes to complete. The annual hour burden 
is, therefore, estimated to be 600 hours for approximately 1,800 
respondents in FY 2004, 600 hours for approximately 1,800 respondents 
in FY 2005, 600 hours for approximately 1,800 respondents in FY 2006. 
Estimated costs to the respondents consist entirely of their time. 
Costs for time were estimated using a rate of $40.00 per hour for 
principal investigators/grant applicants. The estimated annual cost 
burden for respondents for each year for which the generic clearance is 
requested is $24,000 for FY 2004, $24,000 for FY 2005 $24,000 for FY 
2006. No additional costs should be incurred by respondents. There will 
be dissemination and analysis costs for the survey originators.
    Requests for Comments: Written comments and/or suggestions from the

[[Page 62305]]

public and affected agencies are invited on one or more of the 
following points: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the CSR, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) The 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed 
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology 
and assumptions used; (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) Ways to minimize 
the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond 
while maintaining their anonymity, including the use of automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques of 
other forms of information technology.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request more information on the 
proposed project or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans, 
contact: Karl F. Malik, PhD., Assistant to the Deputy Director, Office 
of the Director, Center for Scientific Review, National Institutes of 
Health, Rockledge II, Rm 3016, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 
20814-9692, or call non-toll free: 301-435-1114, or e-mail your request 
or comments, including your address to: [email protected].
    Comments Due Date: Comments regarding this information collection 
are best assured of having their full effect if relieved within 60 days 
of the date of this publication.

    Dated: October 24, 2003.
Brent Stanfield,
Acting Director, Center for Scientific Review, National Institutes of 
Health.
[FR Doc. 03-27585 Filed 10-31-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-M