[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 32 (Friday, February 15, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8907-8909]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-2872]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Continue 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 renewal 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 an 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 3 years.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by April 15, 
2008 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: Contact Suzanne H. 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title of Collection: National Science Foundation Science Honorary 
Awards.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0035.
    Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2008.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to continue an information 
collection for three years.
    Abstract: The National Science Foundation (NSF) administers several 
honorary awards, among them the President's National Medal of Science, 
the Alan T. Waterman Award, the NSB Vannevar Bush Award, and the NSB 
Public Service Award.
    In 2003, to comply with E-government requirements, the nomination 
processes were converted to electronic submission through the National 
Science Foundation's (NSF) FastLane system. Individuals can now prepare 
nominations and references through http://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/honawards. First-time users must register on the Fastlane Web site 
using the link found in the upper right-hand corner above the ``Log 
In'' box before accessing any of the honorary award categories.
    Use of the Information: The Foundation has the following honorary 
award programs:
     President's National Medal of Science. Statutory authority 
for the President's National Medal of Science is contained in 42 U.S.C. 
1881 (Pub. L. 86-209), which established the award and stated that

``(t)he President shall * * * award the Medal on the recommendations 
received from the National Academy of Sciences or on the basis of 
such other information and evidence as * * * appropriate.''

    Subsequently, Executive Order 10961 specified procedures for the 
Award by establishing a National Medal of Science Committee which would 
``receive recommendations made by any other nationally representative 
scientific or engineering organization.'' On the basis of these 
recommendations, the Committee was directed to select its candidates 
and to forward its recommendations to the President.
    In 1962, to comply with these directives, the Committee initiated a 
solicitation form letter to invite these nominations. In 1979, the 
Committee initiated a nomination form as an attachment to the 
solicitation letter. A slightly modified version of the nomination form 
was used in 1980.
    The Committee established the following guidelines for selection of 
candidates:

    1. Principal criterion: The total impact of an individual's work 
on the current state of physical, biological, mathematical, 
engineering or social and behavioral sciences.
    2. Achievements of an unusually significant nature in relation 
to the potential effects on the development of scientific thought.
    3. Unusually distinguished service in the general advancement of 
science and engineering, especially when accompanied by substantial 
contributions to the content of science. Recognition by peers within 
the scientific community.
    4. Contributions to innovation and industry.
    5. Influence on education through publications, teaching 
activities, outreach, mentoring, etc.
    6. Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who has applied 
for citizenship.

    In 2003, the Committee changed the active period of eligibility to 
three years, including the year of nomination. After that time, 
candidates must be renominated with a new nomination package for them 
to be considered by the Committee.

[[Page 8908]]

    Narratives are now restricted to two pages of text, as stipulated 
in the guidelines at http://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/honawards/nms.
     Alan T. Waterman Award. Congress established the Alan T. 
Waterman Award in August 1975 (42 U.S.C. 1881a (Pub. L. 94-86) and 
authorized NSF to ``establish the Alan T. Waterman Award for research 
or advanced study in any of the sciences or engineering'' to mark the 
25th anniversary of the National Science Foundation and to honor its 
first Director. The annual award recognizes an outstanding young 
researcher in any field of science or engineering supported by NSF. In 
addition to a medal, the awardee receives a grant of $500,000 over a 
three-year period for scientific research or advanced study in the 
mathematical, physical, medical, biological, engineering, social, or 
other sciences at the institution of the recipient's choice.
    The Alan T. Waterman Award Committee was established by NSF to 
comply with the directive contained in Public Law 94-86. The Committee 
solicits nominations from members of the National Academy of Sciences, 
National Academy of Engineering, scientific and technical 
organizations, and any other source, public or private, as appropriate.
    In 1976, the Committee initiated a form letter to solicit these 
nominations. In 1980, a nomination form was used which standardized the 
nomination procedures, allowed for more effective Committee review, and 
permitted better staff work in a short period of time. On the basis of 
its review, the Committee forwards its recommendation to the Director, 
NSF, and the National Science Board (NSB).
    Candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and must be 
35 years of age or younger or not more than seven years beyond receipt 
of the Ph.D. degree by December 31 of the year in which they are 
nominated. Candidates should have demonstrated exceptional individual 
achievements in scientific or engineering research of sufficient 
quality to place them at the forefront of their peers. Criteria include 
originality, innovation, and significant impact on the field.
     Vannevar Bush Award. The NSB established the Vannevar Bush 
Award in 1980 to honor Dr. Bush's unique contributions to public 
service. The award recognizes an individual who, through public service 
activities in science and technology, has made an outstanding 
``contribution toward the welfare of mankind and the Nation.''
    The NSB ad hoc Vannevar Bush Award Committee annually solicits 
nominations from selected scientific engineering and educational 
societies. Candidates must be a senior stateperson who is an American 
citizen and meets two or more of the following criteria:
    1. Distinguished himself/herself through public service activities 
in science and technology.
    2. Pioneered the exploration, charting, and settlement of new 
frontiers in science, technology, education, and public service.
    3. Demonstrated leadership and creativity that have inspired others 
to distinguished careers in science and technology.
    4. Contributed to the welfare of the Nation and mankind through 
activities in science and technology.
    5. Demonstrated leadership and creativity that have helped mold the 
history of advancements in the Nation's science, technology, and 
education.
    Nominations must include a narrative description about the nominee, 
a curriculum vitae (without publications), and a brief citation 
summarizing the nominee's scientific or technological contributions to 
our national welfare in promotion of the progress of science. 
Nominations must also include two reference letters, submitted separate 
from the nomination through http://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/honawards/ 
Nominations remain active for three years, including the year of 
nomination. After that time, candidates must be renominated with a new 
nomination for them to be considered by the selection committee.
     NSB Public Service Award. The NSB Public Service Award 
Committee was established in November 1996. This annual award 
recognizes people and organizations that have increased the public 
understanding of science or engineering. The award is given to an 
individual and to a group (company, corporation, or organization), but 
not to members of the U.S. Government.
    Eligibility includes any individual or group (company, corporation, 
or organization) that has increased the public understanding of science 
or engineering. Members of the U.S. Government are not eligible for 
consideration.
    Candidates for the individual and group (company, corporation, or 
organization) award must have made contributions to public service in 
areas other than research, and should meet one or more of the following 
criteria:
    1. Increased the public's understanding of the processes of science 
and engineering through scientific discovery, innovation and its 
communication to the public.
    2. Encouraged others to help raise the public understanding of 
science and technology.
    3. Promoted the engagement of scientists and engineers in public 
outreach and scientific literacy.
    4. Contributed to the development of broad science and engineering 
policy and its support.
    5. Influenced and encouraged the next generation of scientists and 
engineers.
    6. Achieved broad recognition outside the nominee's area of 
specialization.
    7. Fostered awareness of science and technology among broad 
segments of the population.
    Nominations must include a summary of the candidate's activities as 
they relate to the selection criteria; the nominator's name, address 
and telephone number; the name, address, and telephone number of the 
nominee; and the candidate's vita, if appropriate (no more than three 
pages).
    The selection committee recommends the most outstanding 
candidate(s) for each category to the NSB, which approves the awardees.
    Nominations remain active for a period of three years, including 
the year of nomination. After that time, candidates must be renominated 
with a new nomination for them to be considered by the selection 
committee.
    Estimate of Burden: These are annual award programs with 
application deadlines varying according to the program. Public burden 
also may vary according to program; however, it is estimated that each 
submission is averaged to be 15 hours per respondent for each program. 
If the nominator is thoroughly familiar with the scientific background 
of the nominee, time spent to complete the nomination may be 
considerably reduced.
    Respondents: Individuals, businesses or other for-profit 
organizations, universities, non-profit institutions, and Federal and 
State governments.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Award: 137 responses, broken down 
as follows: For the President's National Medal of Science, 55; for the 
Alan T. Waterman Award, 50; for the Vannevar Bush Award, 12; for the 
Public Service Award, 20.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 2,580 hours, broken 
down by 1,100 hours for the President's National Medal of Science (20 
hours per 55 respondents); 1,000 hours for the Alan T. Waterman Award 
(20 hours per 50 respondents); 180 hours for the Vannevar Bush Award 
(15 hours per 12 respondents); and 300 hours for the Public Service 
Award (15 hours per 20 respondents).
    Frequency of Responses: Annually.

[[Page 8909]]

    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; 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.

    Dated: February 12, 2008.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. E8-2872 Filed 2-14-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P