[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 20, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55174-55175]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-18680]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Extend an Information 
Collection

AGENCY: National Science Foundation (NSF).

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 November 21, 
2005 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 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

[[Page 55175]]

[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:
    Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting Requirements for Science and 
Technology Centers (STC): Integrative Partnerships.
    OMB Number: 3145-0194.
    Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 2006.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to extend an information 
collection.
    Abstract: The National Science Foundation (NSF) requests extension 
of data collection (annual reports) called ``Grantee Reporting 
Requirements for Science and Technology Centers (STC): Integrative 
Partnerships''. The current data collection, designed to measure the 
Science and Technology Centers' progress and plans, had been approved 
for use through January 2006. The annual reports have proven an 
effective means for efficiently gathering data from Centers. The data 
gathered through the annual reports under the current OMB approval has 
been used in making decisions about continued funding of individual 
Centers. In addition, a database of Centers' characteristics, 
activities, and outcomes has been created using data from these annual 
reports.
    The Science and Technology Centers (STC): Integrative Partnerships 
Program supports innovation in the integrative conduct of research, 
education and knowledge transfer. Science and Technology Centers build 
intellectual and physical infrastructure within and between 
disciplines, weaving together knowledge creation, knowledge 
integration, and knowledge transfer. STCs conduct world-class research 
through partnerships of academic institutions, national laboratories, 
industrial organizations, and/or other public/private entities. Thus, 
new knowledge created is meaningfully linked to society.
    In addition, STCs enable and foster excellence in education, the 
integration of research and education, and the creation of bonds 
between learning and inquiry so that discovery and creativity more 
fully support the learning process. STCs capitalize on diversity 
through participation in Center activities and demonstrate leadership 
in the involvement of groups underrepresented in science and 
engineering.
    All Centers will be required to submit annual reports on progress 
and plans that are used as a basis for performance review and 
determining the level of continued funding. This continues the practice 
established under the previously approved data collection. To support 
this review and the management of a Center, new STCs are required to 
develop a set of management and performance indicators (continuing 
Centers have already developed these indicators). These indicators are 
submitted annually to NSF via FastLane. These indicators are both 
quantitative and descriptive and include, for example, the 
characteristics of Center personnel and students; sources of financial 
support and in-kind support; expenditures by operational component; 
characteristics of industrial and/or other sector participation; 
research activities; education activities; knowledge transfer 
activities; patents and licenses; publications; degrees granted to 
students involved in Center activities; descriptions of significant 
advances and other outcomes of the STCs' efforts. The reporting will be 
added to the STC program database that has been compiled by an NSF 
evaluation technical assistance contractor to support decisions for 
continued funding of the Centers and will be made available for the 
2007 program evaluation. This database captures specific information 
that demonstrates progress towards achieving the goals of the 
individual Centers and the goals of the program. Such reporting 
requirements are included in the cooperative agreement that is binding 
between the academic institution and the NSF.
    Each Center's annual report provides information about the 
following categories of activities: (1) Research, (2) education, (3) 
knowledge transfer, (4) partnerships, (5) diversity, (6) management, 
and (7) budget issues.
    For each of the categories the report describes overall objectives 
for the year, problems the Center has encountered in making progress 
towards goals for the year, specific outputs and outcomes for the year, 
and expected accomplishments and anticipated problems in the coming 
year.
    Use of the Information: NSF will use the information to make 
decisions on continued funding for the Centers, to evaluate the yearly 
progress of the program and to inform the upcoming 2007 Program 
Evaluation. The data will be analyzed to evaluate progress towards 
specific goals of the STC program.
    Estimate of Burden: For the first year of this data collection, the 
time estimate for the 11 continuing Centers is a total of 550 hours. 
The time estimate for the 2 newly funded Centers and the anticipated 4 
additional Centers is a total of 600 hours. In subsequent years of the 
data collection, the time estimate is a total of 850 hours for the 17 
Centers (the 11 established Centers, the 2 newly funded Centers, and 
the anticipated 4 additional Centers).
    Respondents: Non-profit institutions; Federal Government.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One from each of the 13 
funded Centers and 4 anticipated Centers.
    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: September 15, 2005.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 05-18680 Filed 9-19-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M