[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 112 (Monday, June 13, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34160-34161]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-11606]


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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 August 12, 
2005 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.
    For Additional Information or Comments: Contact Suzanne H. 
Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 
Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone (703) 
292-7556; or send e-mail 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. and 8 
p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday. You also may obtain a copy 
of the data collection instrument and instructions from Ms. Plimpton.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    OMB Number: 3145-NEW.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to establish an 
information collection.
    Abstract:
    Proposed Project:

Task 1

    NSF's priority area in Nanoscale Science & Engineering (NS&E) has 
been funded since FY 2001 and is funded at approximately $335 million 
in FY 2005. The goals of the NS&E priority area are to support 
fundamental knowledge creation across disciplinary principles, 
phenomena, and tools at the nanoscale, and to catalyze synergistic 
science and engineering research and education in emerging areas of 
nanoscale science and technology. A NSF contractor will study 
partnerships and knowledge transfer and innovation activities related 
to (1) NS&E (Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Team (NIRT) and 
Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center (NSEC) awards made during FY 
2001 -2004 and (2) NSF awards to two networks that work closely with 
NS&E--the National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network (NNIN) and the 
Network for Computational Nanotechnology (NCN).
    Using a standard set of definitions to ensure comparability across 
awards, the contractor will collect data on patents; licenses; state, 
local, and industrial partnerships; start-up companies; and other 
indicators of technology transfer and collaboration with state and 
local governments and industry. To the extent possible, the contractor 
will also collect data on state and private investments in activities 
that complement or build upon the NSF awards. For geographic areas 
where there has been significant NSF funding under these activities, 
the contractor may propose to provide an initial assessment of the 
contribution of these awards to the regional economy. The contractor's 
data collection shall include, but need not be limited to, gathering 
information from public and private databases and conducting interviews 
with NS&E grantees to fill remaining gaps. The data will be integrated 
into a database with information on each award. The database will be 
consistent with the database that the EEC Division has constructed for 
the NSECs.
    The analyses will summarize the data overall and by mode of funding 
(NIRT, NSEC, NNIN, NCN) and identify key topics, if any that are a 
major focus for knowledge transfer and partnerships.

Task 2

    The subcontractor will define and present alternative methodologies 
for documenting the creation of an interdisciplinary research community 
in nonotechnology. These methodologies shall provide a means to 
qualitatively assess the size and scope of the interdisciplinary 
research community in nanoscience and nanoengineering from the period 
2001-2004. This analysis will also provide a basis for determining how 
collaborations lead to new directions in research and education in 
nanoscience and engineering. Most of the data for this effort will be 
gathered directly from the Internet. However, the contractor may 
contact selected NS&E, NNIN, or NCN awardees to fill data gaps or to 
confirm data.

[[Page 34161]]

    Estimate of Burden: task 1-10 hours. Task 2-2 hours.
    Respondents: Individuals and not-for-profit organizations.
    Number of Respondents: There are approximately 260 recipients and 
plans call for contacting 50% of them.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Survey: One.
    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: June 7, 2005.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 05-11606 Filed 6-10-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M