[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 222 (Monday, November 19, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65082-65084]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-5707]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request.

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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, Pub. L. 104-13. 
This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published 
in the

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Federal Register at 72 FR 50410, and no substantial 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. The full submission may be found 
at: http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. 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 Suzanne Plimpton, 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 703-292-7556.

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.
    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: Recurring Study of National Science 
Foundation-sponsored Graduate Education Impacts or Legacy (GEIL). 
(Formerly called the Evaluation of the Initial Impacts of the 
Integrative Graduate Education Research and Traineeship (IGERT) 
Program.)
    OMB Control No.: 3145-0182.

Abstract

    The National Science Foundation (NSF) requests reinstatement of 
this 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 
participate 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 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: 3,345.
    Burden on the Public: 1,552 hours. This estimate covers three 
graduate education programs, their participants,

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and comparison group respondents over a three year period.

    Dated: November 13, 2007.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 07-5707 Filed 11-16-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M