[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 169 (Friday, August 31, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50410-50411]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-4287]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
request reinstatement and clearance of this collection. In accordance 
with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, we are providing opportunity for public comment 
on this action. After obtaining and considering public comment, NSF 
will prepare the submission requesting OMB clearance of this collection 
for no longer than 3 years.
    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 respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.

DATES: Written comments should be received by October 1, 2007 to be 
assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be 
considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Written comments regarding the information collection and 
requests for copies of the proposed information collection request 
should be addressed to Suzanne Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, 
National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Rm. 295, Arlington, VA 
22230, or by e-mail to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne Plimpton at (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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title of Collection: Recurring Study of National Science 
Foundation-sponsored Graduate Education Impacts or Legacy (GEIL). 
(Formerly called the Evaluation of the Initial Impacts of the 
Integrative

[[Page 50411]]

Graduate Education Research and Traineeship (IGERT) Program.)
    OMB Control No.: 3145-0182.
    Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2005.

Abstract

    The National Science Foundation (NSF) requests extension of data 
collection (e.g., interviews, surveys, focus groups, site visits) 
measuring NSF's contribution to the Nation's graduate education 
enterprise and overall science and engineering workforce. This 
continuation expands the data collection formerly called ``The 
Evaluation of the Initial Impacts of the IGERT Program'' most recently 
approved through July 2005 (OMB 3145-0182).
    IGERT began data collection in the late 1990s for use in program 
research, management and evaluation. Data collection was concurrent 
with NSF-funding in order to document IGERT's initial impact within 
individual departments or institutions (often called projects), and on 
student, faculty and other participants as compared to the educational 
and training experiences of individuals who were external to IGERT. 
This request expands data collection to the portfolio of NSF-funded 
graduate education programs and projects, typically on a program-by-
program sub-study basis in order to address long-term impact.
    For over fifty years NSF has funded directly and indirectly (e.g. 
via institutions), tens of thousands of individuals who pursue post-
undergraduate education or research training. NSF's graduate education 
portfolio includes:
     The Integrative Graduate Education Research and 
Traineeship (IGERT) program. IGERT provides grants to institutions to 
recruit and support doctoral students in interdisciplinary Science, 
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics programs (STEM).
     The graduate Teaching Fellows in K-12 Education (GK-12) 
program. GK-12 provides grants to institutions to support STEM graduate 
students' acquisition of skills that will prepare them for careers in 
the 21st century.
     The Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF) program. GRF 
provides three years of funding to eligible individuals for graduate 
study leading to research-based masters or doctoral degrees at an IHE 
of their choice.
    A longer list of NSF's graduate education opportunities and 
eligibility information is on the NSF Web site under the link: 
``Specialized information for Graduate Students'' at: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/education/jsp?org=NSF@fund_type-2.
    Through longitudinal study NSF aims to learn about the long-term 
impact or legacy of its program strategies in graduate education. A 
primary goal is to identify and follow-up with individuals who 
participated in NSF-funded programs or projects, especially students 
who graduated with masters or doctoral degrees. The primary means of 
data collection will be surveys. Site visits, focus groups and 
interviews are used to improve survey instruments, clarify responses or 
address questions of institutional impact. Typical respondents are 
former NSF-funded fellows, trainees or to her participants in NSF-
funded projects or are professional scientists, engineers, IHE faculty, 
K-graduate educators, education administrators and K-IHE policymakers. 
NSF uses the analysis of responses to prepare and publish reports and 
to respond to requests from Committees of Visitors, Congress and the 
Office of Management and Budget, particularly as related to the 
Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) and the Program 
Assessment Rating Tool (PART).
    The study's broad questions include but are not limited to: What do 
individuals following post-participation in IGERT or other NSF-funded 
graduate education opportunities do? Do IGERT or other NSF-funded 
opportunities provide graduates with the professional and/or research 
skills needed to work in science and engineering? Are IGERT or other 
NSF-sponsored graduates satisfied that their NSF-funded graduate 
education advanced their careers in science or engineering? To what 
extent do IGERT or other former-NSF-sponsored graduates engage in the 
science and engineering workforce conduct inter- or multi-disciplinary 
science? Is there evidence of a legacy from NSF-funding that changed a 
degree-granting department beyond number of students supported and 
degrees awarded? To what extent have projects achieved or contributed 
to individual project goals or the NSF program goals? To what extent 
have NSF-funded projects or programs broadened participation by diverse 
individuals, particularly individuals traditionally underemployed in 
science or engineering, including but not limited to women, minorities, 
and persons-with-disabilities?
    Respondents: Individuals or households, not-for-profit 
institutions, business or other for profit, and Federal, State, Local 
or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 30,000.
    Burden on the Public: 15,000 hours. This estimate covers three 
graduate education programs, their participants, and comparison group 
respondents over a three year period.

    Dated: August 27, 2007.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 07-4287 Filed 8-30-07; 8:45 am]
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