[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 117 (Monday, June 19, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35313-35314]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-5524]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted the 
following information collection requirement to OMB for review and 
clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. 
This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published 
in the Federal Register at 71 FR 4382, and no comments were received. 
NSF is forwarding the proposed renewal submission to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with the 
publication of this second notice. 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; 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 Catherine Hines, Acting 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 703-292-4414.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Catherine Hines at (703) 292-4414 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.
    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 of Collection: ``Biological Sciences Proposal Classification 
Form.''
    OBM Approval Number: 3145-NEW.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to establish an 
information collection for three years.
    Proposed Project: Three divisions within the Directorate of 
Biological Sciences of the National Science Foundation will use the 
Biological Sciences Proposal Classification Form. they are the Division 
of Biological Infrastructure, the Division of Evolutionary Biology, and 
the Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences. All scientists 
submitting proposals to these divisions will be asked to complete an 
electronic version of the Proposal Classification Form. The form 
consists of brief questions about the substance of the research and the 
investigator's previous federal support. Each division will have a 
slightly different version of the form. In this way, submitters will 
only confront response choices that are relevant to their discipline.
    Use of the Information: The information gathered with the 
Biological Sciences Proposal Classification Form serves two main 
purposes. The first is facilitation of the proposal review process. 
Since peer review is a key component of NSF's grant-making process, it 
is imperative that proposals are reviewed by scientists with 
appropriate expertise. The information collected with the Proposal 
Classification Form helps ensure that the proposals are evaluated by 
specialists who are well versed in appropriate subject matter. This 
helps maintain a fair and equitable review process.
    The second use of the information is program evaluation. The 
Directorate is committed to investing in a range of substantive areas. 
With data from this collection, the Directorate can calculate 
submission rates and funding rates in specific areas of research. 
Similarly, the information can be used to identify emerging areas of 
research, evaluate changing infrastructure needs in the research 
community, and track the amount of international research. As the 
National Science Foundation is committed to funding cutting-edge 
science, these factors all have implications for program management.
    The Directorate of Biological Sciences has a continuing commitment 
to monitor its information collection in order to preserve its 
applicability and necessity. Through periodic updates

[[Page 35314]]

and revisions, the Directorate ensures that only useful, non-redundant 
information is collected. These efforts will reduce excessive reporting 
burdens.
    Burden on the Public: The Directorate estimates that an average of 
five minutes is expended for each proposal submitted. An estimated 
6,000 responses are expected during the course of one year for a total 
of 500 public burden hours annually.
    Expected Respondents: Individuals.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 6,000.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 500 hours.
    Frequency of Responses: On occasion.

    Dated: June 14, 2006.
Catherine J. Hines,
Acting Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 06-5524 Filed 6-16-06; 8:45am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M