[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 24, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8409-8410]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-3593]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 
(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), and as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, the National Science Foundation 
(NSF) is inviting the general public or other Federal agencies to 
comment on this proposed continuing information collection. The NSF 
will publish periodic summaries of the proposed projects.
    Comments: Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Foundation, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Foundation's estimate 
of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by April 26, 
2010, to be assured consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to address 
below.

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 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact Suzanne Plimpton, the 
NSF Reports Clearance Officer, phone (703) 292-7556, or send e-mail to

[[Page 8410]]

[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, which is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 
days a year (including federal holidays).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title of Collection: 2010 National Survey of Recent College 
Graduates.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0077.
    Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2011.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to renew an information 
collection for three years.

1. Abstract

    The National Survey of Recent College Graduates (NSRCG) has been 
conducted biennially since 1974. The 2010 NSRCG will consist of a 
sample of individuals who have completed bachelor's and master's 
degrees in science, engineering and health from U.S. institutions 
during the academic years 2008 and 2009. The purpose of the NSRCG is to 
provide national estimates on the new entrants into the science and 
engineering workforce and to provide estimates on the characteristics 
of recent bachelor's and master's graduates with science, engineering 
and health degrees. The NSRCG is one of three component surveys of the 
Scientists and Engineers Statistical Data System (SESTAT), which 
produces national estimates of the size and characteristics of the 
nation's science and engineering population. The 2010 NSRCG will 
provide necessary input into the SESTAT.
    The National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as subsequently 
amended, includes a statutory charge to ``* * * provide a central 
clearinghouse for the collection, interpretation, and analysis of data 
on scientific and engineering resources, and to provide a source of 
information for policy formulation by other agencies of the Federal 
Government.'' The NSRCG is designed to comply with these mandates by 
providing information on the supply and utilization of the nation's 
recent bachelor's and master's level scientists and engineers.
    The NSF uses the information from the NSRCG to prepare 
congressionally-mandated reports such as Women, Minorities and Persons 
with Disabilities in Science and Engineering and Science and 
Engineering Indicators. NSF publishes statistics from the survey in 
many reports, but primarily in the biennial series, Characteristics of 
Recent Science and Engineering Graduates in the United States. A public 
release file of collected data, designed to protect respondent 
confidentiality, will be made available to researchers on CD-ROM and on 
the Internet.
    A nationally recognized survey firm will conduct the 2010 NSRCG 
under contract for NSF. Data will be obtained by mail questionnaire, 
computer-assisted telephone interviews and Web survey beginning in 
October 2010. The survey will be collected in conformance with the 
Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 
2002, and the individual's response to the survey is voluntary. NSF 
will ensure that all information collected will be kept strictly 
confidential and will be used only for statistical purposes.

2. Expected Respondents

    A statistical sample of approximately 18,000 bachelor's and 
master's degree recipients in science, engineering, and health will be 
contacted in 2010. NSF expects the response rate to be 70 percent.

3. Estimate of Burden

    The amount of time to complete the questionnaire may vary depending 
on an individual's circumstances; however, on average it will take 
approximately 25 minutes to complete the survey. NSF estimates that the 
total annual burden will be 5,250 hours during the 2010 survey cycle.

    Dated: February 18, 2010.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2010-3593 Filed 2-23-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P