[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 249 (Thursday, December 29, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77193-77194]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-24593]


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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: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted the 
following information collection requirements to OMB for review and 
clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. 
Comments regarding (a) whether the collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the 
accuracy of the agency'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; (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]. Comments 
regarding these information collections are best assured of having 
their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. 
Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling 703-292-7556.
    NSF 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: Survey of Doctorate Recipients.
    OMB Control Number: 2145-0020.
    Summary of Collection: The National Opinion Research Center (NORC) 
will conduct this study for NSF in 2006. The National Research Council 
(NRC) conducted the survey from 1973 through 1995, the National Opinion 
Research Center (NORC) conducted the 1997 and 2003 surveys, and the 
Bureau of the Census conducted the 1999 and 2001 surveys. Data 
collection will begin in April 2006 using a mail questionnaire, 
computer assisted telephone interviewing and web survey. The survey 
will be collected in conformance with the Privacy Act of 1974 and the 
individual's response to the survey is voluntary. The first Federal 
Register notice for this survey was 70 FR 49320, published August 23, 
2005, and one comment was received.
    Comment: On August 23, 2005, NSF published in the Federal Register 
(70 FR 49320) a 60-day notice of its intent to request reinstatement of 
this information collection authority from OMB. In that notice, NSF 
solicited public comments for 60 days ending October 24, 2005. One 
comment was received from the public notice. The comment came from B. 
Sachau of Floram Park, NJ, via e-mail on August 23, 2005. Ms. Sachau 
objected to the information collection. Ms. Sachau had no specific 
suggestions for altering the data collection plans other than to 
discontinue them entirely.
    Response: NSF responded to Ms. Sachau on November 22, 2005, 
describing the program, and addressing the frequency and the cost 
issues raised by Ms. Sachau. NSF believes that because the comment does 
not pertain to the collection of information on the required forms for 
which NSF is seeking OMB approval, NSF is proceeding with the clearance 
request.
    Need and Use of the Information: The purpose of this longitudinal 
study is to provide national estimates of the doctorate level science 
and engineering workforce and changes in employment, education and 
demographic characteristics. The study is one of the three components 
of the Scientists and Engineers Statistical Data System (SESTAT). NSF 
uses this information to prepare Congressionally mandated reports such 
as Science and Engineering Indicators and Women, Minorities and Persons 
with Disabilities in Science and Engineering. A public release file of 
collected data, edited to protect respondent confidentiality, will be 
made available to researchers on CD-ROM and on the World Wide Web.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals.
    Number of Respondents: 34,400.
    Frequency of Responses: Biennial reporting.
    Total Burden Hours: 15,229.
    Title: National Survey of Recent College Graduates.
    OMB Control Number: 3145-0077.
    Summary of Collection: The Bureau of the Census will conduct the 
study for NSF in the 2006 survey cycle. Mathematics Policy Research 
conducted the 2003 Survey and Westat Inc. conducted the surveys in 
1995, 1997, 1999 and 2001. Data collection will begin in April 2006 
using mail questionnaire, computer assisted telephone interviewing and 
web survey. The survey will be collected in conformance with the 
Privacy Act of 1974 and the individual responses to the survey are 
voluntary. The first Federal Register notice for this survey was 70 FR 
49321, published August 23, 2005, and one comment was received.
    Comment: On August 23, 2005, NSF published in the Federal Register 
(70 FR 49321) a 60-day notice of its intent to request reinstatement of 
this information collection authority from OMB. In that notice, NSF 
solicited public comments for 60 days ending October 24, 2005. One 
comment was received from the public notice. The comment came from B. 
Sachau of Floram Park, NJ, via e-mail on August 23, 2005. Ms. Sachau 
objected to the information collection. Ms. Sachau had no specific 
suggestions for altering the data collection plans other than to 
discontinue them entirely.
    Response: NSF responded to Ms. Sachau on November 22, 2005, 
describing the program, and addressing the frequency and the cost 
issues raised by Ms. Sachau. NSF believes that because the comment does 
not pertain to the collection of information on the required forms for 
which NSF is seeking OMB approval, NSF is proceeding with the clearance 
request.
    Need and Use of the Information: The purpose of this study is to 
provide cross sectional and longitudinal estimates of recent science 
and engineering graduates to use in preparing national estimates of the 
Nation's science and

[[Page 77194]]

engineering workforce. The study is one of three components Scientists 
and Engineers Statistical Data System (SESTAT). NSF uses this 
information to prepare Congressionally mandated reports such as Science 
and Engineering Indicators and Women, Minorities and Persons with 
Disabilities in Science and Engineering.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals.
    Number of Respondents: 21,600.
    Frequency of Responses: Biennial reporting.
    Total Burden Hours: 9,000.
    Title: National Survey of College Graduates.
    OMB Control Number: 3145-0141.
    Summary of Collection: The Bureau of the Census, as in the past, 
will conduct this study for NSF. Questionnaires will be mailed in April 
2006 and nonrespondents to the mail questionnaire will receive computer 
assisted telephone interviewing. The survey will be collected in 
conformance with the Privacy Act of 1974 and the individual's response 
to the survey is voluntary. The first federal register notice for this 
survey was 70 FR 49321, published August 23, 2005, and one comment was 
received.
    Comment: On August 23, 2005, NSF published in the Federal Register 
(70 FR 49321) a 60-day notice of its intent to request renewal of this 
information collection authority from OMB. In that notice, NSF 
solicited public comments for 60 days ending October 24, 2005. One 
comment was received from the public notice. The comment came from B. 
Sachau of Floram Park, NJ, via e-mail on August 23, 2005. Ms. Sachau 
objected to the information collection. Ms. Sachau had no specific 
suggestions for altering the data collection plans other than to 
discontinue them entirely.
    Response: NSF responded to Ms. Sachau on November 22, 2005, 
describing the program, and addressing the frequency and the cost 
issues raised by Ms. Sachau. NSF believes that because the comment does 
not pertain to the collection of information on the required forms for 
which NSF is seeking OMB approval, NSF is proceeding with the clearance 
request.
    Need and Use of the Information: The purpose of this longitudinal 
study is to provide national estimates on the experienced science and 
engineering workforce and changes in employment, education and 
demographic characteristics over time. The study is the third component 
of the Scientists and Engineers Statistical Data System (SESTAT). NSF 
uses this information to prepare Congressionally mandated reports such 
as Science and Engineering Indicators and Women, Minorities and Persons 
with Disabilities in Science and Engineering. A public release file of 
collected data, edited to protect respondent confidentiality, will be 
made available to researchers on CD-ROM and on the World Wide Web.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals.
    Number of Respondents: 61,200.
    Frequency of Responses: Biennial reporting.
    Total Burden Hours: 25,500.

    Dated: December 23, 2005.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 05-24593 Filed 12-28-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M