[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 28 (Thursday, February 12, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7081-7082]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-2995]


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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 requirements to OMB for review and 
clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. 
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; (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.,

[[Page 7082]]

Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, and to Suzanne H. 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.
    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: Survey of Earned Doctorates.
    OMB Control Number: 3145-0019.
    Summary of Collection: The Survey of Earned Doctorates has been 
conducted continuously since 1958 and is jointly sponsored by six 
Federal agencies in order to avoid duplication. It is an accurate, 
timely source of information on our Nation's most precious resource--
highly educated individuals. Data are obtained via paper questionnaire 
or Web survey from each person earning a research doctorate at the time 
they receive the degree. Graduate Schools help distribute the Survey of 
Earned Doctorates to their graduating doctorate recipients. Data are 
collected on the doctorate recipient's field of specialty, educational 
background, sources of support in graduate school, debt level, 
postgraduation plans for employment, and demographic characteristics.
    The survey will be collected in conformance with the National 
Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended, and the Privacy Act of 
1974. Responses from individuals are voluntary. NSF will ensure that 
all individually identifiable information collected will be kept 
strictly confidential and will be used for research or statistical 
purposes, analyzing data, and preparing scientific reports and 
articles.
    The first Federal Register notice for this survey was 73 FR 74757, 
published December 9, 2008, and one comment was received.
    Comment: On December 9, 2008 we published in the Federal Register 
(73 FR 74757) a 60-day notice of our intent to request reinstatement of 
this information collection authority from OMB. In that notice, we 
solicited public comments for 60 days ending February 9, 2009. One 
comment was received from the public notice. The comment came from B. 
Sachau of Floram Park, NJ, via e-mail on December 9, 2008. Ms. Sachau 
objected to the information collection. Ms. Sachau had no specific 
suggestions for altering the data collection plans other than to 
discontinue them entirely.
    Response: We responded to Ms. Sachau on December 17, 2008 
describing the program, the frequency and the cost issues raised by Ms. 
Sachau. NSF believes that because the comment does not pertain to the 
collection of information on the required forms for which NSF is 
seeking OMB approval, NSF is proceeding with the clearance request.
    Need and Use of the Information: The Federal government, 
universities, researchers, and others use the information extensively. 
The National Science Foundation, as the lead agency, publishes 
statistics from the survey in several reports, but primarily in the 
annual publication series, ``Science and Engineering Doctorates'' and 
the Interagency Report, ``Doctorate Recipients from U.S. Universities: 
Summary Report.'' These reports are available on the Web. NSF uses this 
information to prepare Congressionally mandated reports such as Science 
and Engineering Indicators and Women, Minorities and Persons with 
Disabilities in Science and Engineering.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals.
    Number of Respondents: 49,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 27,738.

    Dated: February 9, 2009.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. E9-2995 Filed 2-11-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P