[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 201 (Thursday, October 18, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 59116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-5137]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Establish an 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 three years.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by December 17, 
2007 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.
    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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne Plimpton, Reports Clearance 
Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilso Boulevard, Suite 295, 
Arlingon, 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: Descriptive and Exploratory Study of the 
National Science Foundation's Small Grants for Exploratory Research 
Funding Mechanism.
    OMB Number: 3145-New.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.
    Type of request: New.
    Abstract: The SGER funding mechanism was developed in 1989 by an 
external committee, and authorized by NSF Director Bloch for use 
beginning at the start of Fiscal Year 1990. The committee's charge was 
to recommend whether NSF as a whole should adopt a mechanism similar to 
one that had been piloted by the Engineering Directorate, known as 
Small Grants for Expedited Research. While that title emphasized award 
timeliness, the mechanism's purposes included funding innovative 
research ideas. The current formulation of SGER remains conceptually 
and administratively similar to its original purposes and practices. 
Over time, NSF has broadened award parameters (award ceiling and 
duration) and sharpened definitions of purposes (e.g., inserting the 
term Transformative Research). In at least one case the SGER mechanism 
was modified for a specific program purpose (the Nanoscale Exploratory 
Grants, which were externally reviewed).
    All applicants will be asked about topics relating to the 
application process (how they found out about SGER, why this mechanism 
and not a standard proposal, etc.). Awardees will also be asked about 
activities resulting from their awards, such as follow-on proposals, 
involvement of graduate students, and testing of new instrumentation. 
Declinees will be asked, for example, what action they took concerning 
the declined proposal (wrote standard proposal to NSF or another 
agency, and whether that was awarded). All applicants will be asked 
about the guidelines and funding and mechanism, and how they can be 
improved, e.g., through changes in their 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: Government grant holders--Individuals.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Form: 2500.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 400 hours (800 
respondents at 30 minutes per response).
    Frequency of Response: Once.

    Dated: October 12, 2007.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 07-5137 Filed 10-17-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M