[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 111 (Thursday, June 11, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27829-27830]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-13712]


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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 establishment 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 August 10, 2009 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 on (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:

Request for Clearance for Program Review of the Science and Technology 
Centers (STC): Integrative Partnership Program

    Title of Collection: Program Review of the National Science 
Foundation's (NSF) Science and Technology Centers: Integrative 
Partnership Program.
    OMB Control No.: 3145-(NEW).
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.

Abstract

    The National Science Foundation (NSF) requests a three-year 
clearance for research, evaluation and data collection (e.g., surveys 
and interviews) from graduate student and postdoctoral participants in 
the Science and Technology Centers: Integrative Partnerships (STC) 
Program. Other STC stakeholders typically are limited to PhD scientists 
and engineers and faculty and administrators from universities and not-
for-profit institutions and industrial/business partners, NSF employees 
and former NSF employees and intergovernmental personnel act (IPA) 
appointees.
    The STC program provides multiyear (up to ten years) support to 
STCs as continuing awards that are among the largest (up to $4 million 
a year) awarded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). This support 
fuels innovation and builds intellectual and physical infrastructure 
within and among disciplines in the integrative conduct of research, 
education, and knowledge transfer. The STC program currently funds a 
total of 17 Centers--five beginning in 2000, six beginning in 2002, two 
beginning in 2005, and four beginning in 2006. STCs conduct world-class 
research through partnerships among academic institutions, national 
laboratories, industrial organizations, and/or other public/private 
entities, and via international collaborations, as appropriate. STCs 
enable and foster excellence in education, the integration of research 
and education, and the creation of bonds between learning and inquiry 
so that discovery and creativity more fully support the learning 
process. In addition, STCs capitalize on diversity through 
participation in Center activities and demonstrate leadership in the 
involvement of groups underrepresented in science and engineering.
    Based on prior evaluations of the program, the National Science 
Board (NSB) approved the continuation of Science and Technology Centers 
through the establishment of new program solicitations and several new 
competitions. As part of the continuation, the NSB required the program 
to conduct a program evaluation of the outcomes and impact of the 
program seven years after the first new cohort of Centers were 
established (Memorandum to Members of the National Science Board, 
February 13, 1997).
    A related data collection effort that consists of general grantee 
reporting is approved for program monitoring under OMB 3145-0194. To 
enable effective oversight of its investment, the NSF requires that 
each currently funded Center submit an annual progress report that 
describes all activities of the Center; each existing Center began 
submitting an annual report at the end of its first year. While a 
database of Centers' characteristics, activities, and outcomes has been 
created using data from these annual reports, supplemental information 
is required to fulfill the evaluative needs of the program.
    NSF has planned a new program review of STC, and has contracted 
with Abt Associates Inc. to provide for analytic and technical support, 
to include data collection and analysis, for an expert peer review of 
the program. To help fulfill the evaluation needs of the program, NSF 
has planned to collect data that is designed to explore the structures 
and processes the STCs and their participating universities have in 
place for developing the human capital of program participants and for 
fostering a variety of career paths. The primary methods of data 
collection will include data gathering from open sources and from 
records at NSF and grantee centers and from surveys of program 
participants. There are a bounded (or limited) number of respondents 
within the general public who will be affected by this research, 
including former graduate student and postdoctoral fellow participants 
of the centers. NSF will use the STC program evaluation

[[Page 27830]]

data and analyses to provide members of an expert peer review panel 
with information about the program's role in the talent development and 
on the career paths taken by students who participated in STCs and were 
involved in particular STC activities.
    Respondents: Individuals or households, Federal Government, and 
not-for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1700.
    Burden on the Public: 850 hours.

    Dated: June 5, 2009.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. E9-13712 Filed 6-10-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P