[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 129 (Thursday, July 6, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38428-38429]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-6008]


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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

[[Page 38429]]

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 Plimpton, Reports Clearance 
Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, 
Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone (703) 292-7556; 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. You may obtain a copy of the data collection instrument and 
instructions from Ms. Plimpton.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title of Collection: Evaluation of the National Science 
Foundation--National Institutes for Health Bioengineering and 
Bioinformatics Summer Institutes (BBSI) Program.
    OMB Number: 3145-0121.
    Expiration Date of Approval: One year.
    Type of Request: Reinstate and modify.
    Abstract: The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National 
Institute of Bioinformatics and Bioengineering (NIBIB), a new component 
of the National Institutes of Health, established a jointly funded 
program run by NSF called the Bioengineering and Bioinformatics Summer 
Institutes (BBSI) Program to begin creating a supply of professionals 
trained in bioengineering and bioinformatics. This workforce initiative 
complements research and education efforts in these fields funded by 
both agencies and constitutes a high profile effort to meet the 
anticipated human resource needs for bioengineering and 
bioinformatices.
    The program is designed to provide students majoring in the 
biological sciences, computer sciences, engineering, mathematics, and 
physical sciences with well planned interdisciplinary experiences in 
bioengineering or bioinformatics research and education, in very active 
`Summer Institutes'; thereby increasing the number of young people 
considering careers in bioengineering and bioinformatics at the 
graduate level and beyond.
    NIBIB and NSF's Division of Engineering Education and Centers (EEC) 
wish to learn whether the BBSI Program as originally conceived is 
achieving its objectives and program-level outcomes, and to collect 
lessons learned for improvement of program design and implementation. 
This short-term evaluation is expected to provide information on what 
educational and career decisions have ben affected by participation in 
a Summer Institute, what elements of the students' BBSI affect student 
outcomes, and how the program can be improved, e.g., through changes in 
specific program-wide design components, expected outcomes, proposal 
review criteria, etc.
    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: 800.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 400 hours (880 
respondents at 30 minutes per response).
    Frequency of Response: Once.
    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 30, 2006.
Catherine J. Hines,
Acting Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 06-6008 Filed 7-5-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M