[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 123 (Monday, June 28, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36697-36698]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-15569]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Establish 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 clearance 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 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 three years.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by August 27, 
2010 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne 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. You may obtain a copy of the data collection instruments and 
instructions from Ms. Anderson.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title of Collection: Graduate Research Fellowship Program Follow-up 
Survey.
    OMB Number: 3145-NEW.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not Applicable.
    Type of request: New.
    Abstract: The purpose of this study is to provide evidence on the 
impact of the GRPF on individuals' educational decision, career 
preparations, aspirations and progress, as well as professional 
productivity. This includes the study design and data collection as 
well as subsequent analysis and report writing. As part of NSF's 
commitment to graduate student education in the U.S., the GRFP seeks to 
promote and maintain advanced training in science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field by annually awarding roughly 
1,000 fellowships to graduate student in research-based programs. As 
the first program evaluation since 2002, the GRFP evaluation comes on 
the heels of increased funding by NSF to supporting additional 
fellowship awards.
    NSF contracts with the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at 
the University of Chicago to design, implement, and assess a study that 
will address relevant procedures and components of the GRFP in regards 
to the application and award process and support for Fellows and 
sponsoring institutions with an aim towards measuring and increasing 
the program's effectiveness.
    There are four goals of the GRFP evaluation. The first goal is to 
maintain a high quality evaluation through consultation with an 
advisory group of

[[Page 36698]]

national experts. The second goal is to assess impacts of the GRFP on 
graduate school experiences through a follow-up study of GRFP award 
recipients and other applicants. The third goal is to assess impacts of 
the GRFP on career and professional outcomes through analysis of GRFP 
participants and comparable national populations. The fourth goal is to 
assess the benefits of the GRFP on institutions that enroll GRFP 
Fellows. The evaluation is designed to address research questions that 
explore the influences of the GRFP on the following broad sets of 
variables:
     Educational decisions, experiences, and graduate degree 
attainment of STEM graduate students.
     Career preparation and aspirations.
     Career activities, progress, and job characteristics 
following graduate school.
     Professional productivity.
     Workforce participation and career outcomes.
     Graduate school institutions and student recruitment at 
GRFP-sponsoring institutions.
     Faculty attitudes at GRFP-sponsoring institutions.
     Diversity of students participating in STEM fields at 
GRFP-sponsoring institutions.
    This survey would address two separate components of the planned 
GRPF evaluation. First, this component will assess the influence of 
GRFP awards on recipients' graduate school experience and outcomes, 
which includes program of study and institution attended, professional 
productivity (e.g., publishes papers, conference presentations, etc.) 
during graduate schools and career aspirations. Second, the survey will 
evaluate the impact of participation in the in the GRPF on subsequent 
career options, progress and contributions to respondents' professional 
fields. This will be conducted as a web-based survey.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 30 minutes for current graduate 
students and 40 minutes per graduates.
    Respondents: Individuals.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Form: 2,826 graduate students; 
6,429 graduates.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 5,699 hours (2,826 
graduate student respondents at 30 minutes per response = 1,413 hours + 
6,429 graduate respondents at 40 minutes per response = 4,286 hours).
    Frequency of Response: One time.
    Comments: Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the NSF, including whether the information shall have 
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the NSF'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; (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: June 22, 2010.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2010-15569 Filed 6-25-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P