[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 129 (Thursday, July 6, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 38428]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-6007]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Reinstate With Changes an 
Expired 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 1 year.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by September 7, 
2006 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 sent 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 may obtain a copy of the data collection instrument and 
instructions from Ms. Plimpton.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title of Collection: Evaluation of the Research Experiences for 
Undergraduates (REU) Program in the NSF Division of Engineering 
Education and Centers (EEC).
    OMB Number: 3145-0121.
    Expiration Date of Approval: One Year.
    Type of request: Reinstate with changes.
    Abstract: NSF has supported the REU Program since 1987. The Program 
was evaluated after three and five years, but not since then. The 
proposed project will enable NSF's Division of Engineering Education 
and Centers (EEC) to learn about the activities, outcomes, and impacts 
of the REU awards made by that Division, as well as lessons learned to 
improve the results of future REU awards. Two types of REU awards will 
be studied, REU sites and REU supplements. REU Sites awards fund groups 
of undergraduates to work with faculty members and graduate students at 
an institution. Half of the undergraduates in an REU site must come 
from other institutions. EEC also makes REU Supplement awards to NSF-
funded Engineering Research Centers for comparable similar for 
undergraduates.
    The proposed study will be very similar to the two previous 
evaluations. It will focus on undergraduate REU participants and the 
faculty members who are responsible for the REU awards during 2003-06, 
and will examine in detail for the first time the activities, outcomes, 
and impacts of REU awards made in a single NSF division (EEC). The REU 
program officers in EEC want to learn in depth about the REU Site and 
ERC REU Supplements awards from former REU students and awardees, any 
differences between the Sites and ERC Supplements, and lessons learned 
for subsequent proposal review and advising prospective PIs. 
Information will also be used for EEC Program reporting requirements. 
The study will examine (1) the role of the REU program in aiding 
participating undergraduates in a decision to pursue graduate education 
or careers in engineering; and (2) the relationship between how REU 
activities are structured and managed and participants' subsequent 
education and career decisions and actions.
    The survey data collection will be done on the World Wide Web.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 30 minutes per response.
    Respondents: Individuals.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Form: 4,525.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,262.5 hours (4,525 
respondents at 30 minutes per response).
    Frequency of Response: One time.
    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; (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 28, 2006.
Catherine J. Hines,
Acting Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 06-6007 Filed 7-5-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M