[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 179 (Thursday, September 16, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56596-56597]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-23170]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice; Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted the 
following information collection requirement to OMB for review and 
clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. 
This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published 
in the Federal Register at 75 FR 36697, and no substantial comments 
were received. NSF is forwarding the proposed renewal submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with 
the publication of this second notice. The full submission may be found 
at: http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. 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. Room 10235, Washington, DC 
20503, and to Suzanne Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National 
Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Room 295, Arlington, VA 
22230, or by 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.

[[Page 56597]]

    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.
    Under OMB regulations, the agency may continue to conduct or 
sponsor the collection of information while this submission is pending 
at OMB.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to Suzanne Plimpton, Reports 
Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, 
Room 295, Arlington, VA 22230, or by e-mail to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Call or write, Suzanne Plimpton, 
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson 
Boulevard, Room 295, Arlington, VA 22230, or by 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: Graduate Research Fellowship Program 
Evaluation.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-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 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 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: September 13, 2010.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2010-23170 Filed 9-15-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P