[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 132 (Tuesday, July 12, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40062-40063]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-13689]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: 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 70 FR 19508 and one comment was 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

[[Page 40063]]

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 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 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: 
    Comment: On April 13, 2005, we published in the Federal Register 
(70 FR 19508) a 60-day notice of our intent to request renewal of this 
information collection authority from OMB. In that notice, we solicited 
public comments for 60 days ending June 13, 2005. One comment was 
received from the public notice. The comment came from B. Sachau of 
Floram Park, NJ, via e-mail on April 18, 2005. Ms. Sachau objected to 
the Fellowships program, but had no specific suggestions for altering 
the data collection.
    Response: NSF believes that because the comment does not pertain to 
the collection of information or the required forms for which NSF is 
seeking OMB approval, NSF is proceeding with the clearance request.
    Title of Collection: Fellowship Applications and Award Forms.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0023.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to extend without revision 
an information collection for three years.
    Abstract: Section 10 of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 
(42 U.S.C. 1861 et seq.), as amended, states that ``The Foundation is 
authorized to award, within the limits of funds made available * * * 
scholarships and graduate fellowships for scientific study or 
scientific work in the mathematical physical, medical, biological, 
engineering, social, and other sciences at appropriate nonprofit 
American or nonprofit foreign institutions selected by the recipient of 
such aid, for stated periods of time.''
    The Foundation Fellowship Programs are designed to meet the 
following objectives:
     To assure that some of the Nation's most talented students 
in the sciences obtain the education necessary to become creative and 
productive scientific researchers.
     To train or upgrade advanced scientific personnel to 
enhance their abilities as teachers and researchers.
     To promote graduate education in the sciences, 
mathematics, and engineering at institutions that have traditionally 
served ethnic minorities.
     To encourage pursuit of advanced science degrees by 
students who are members of ethnic groups traditionally under-
represented in the Nation's advanced science personnel pool.
    The list of fellowship award programs sponsored by the Foundation 
may be found via FastLane through the NSF Web site: http://www.fastlane.nsf.gov.
    Estimate of Burden: These are annual award programs with 
application deadlines varying according to the fellowship program. 
Public burden may also vary according to program, however it is 
estimated that each submission is averaged to be 12 hours per 
respondent.
    Respondents: Individuals.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 5,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 60,000 hours.
    Frequency of Responses: Annually.

    Dated: July 7, 2005.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 05-13689 Filed 7-11-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M