[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 199 (Friday, October 15, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63517-63518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-26020]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 
(44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), and as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, the National Science Foundation 
invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this 
opportunity to comment on this information collection.
    Comments: 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 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. Comments submitted in response 
to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for 
OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a 
matter of public record.

DATES: Written comments should be received by December 14, 2010 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 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS:  Contact Suzanne Plimpton, the 
NSF Reports Clearance Officer, phone (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, which is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 
days a year (including Federal holidays).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program. Outcomes 
Survey.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-NEW.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.

Abstract

    The Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI) catalyzes new 
knowledge and discoveries by providing the Nation's scientists and 
engineers with state-of-the-art research instrumentation. The MRI 
Program enables research-intensive learning environments that promote 
the development of a diverse workforce and next generation 
instrumentation, as well as facilitates academic/private sector 
partnerships. Among the goals of the MRI Program are:
     Supporting the acquisition of major state-of-the-art 
instrumentation, thereby improving access to, and increased use of, 
modern research and research training instrumentation by a diverse 
workforce of scientists, engineers, and graduate and undergraduate 
students;
     Fostering the development of the next generation of 
instrumentation, resulting in new instruments that are more widely 
used, and/or open up new areas of research and research training;
     Enabling academic departments, disciplinary and cross-
disciplinary units organizations and multi-organization collaborations 
to create well-equipped research environments that integrate research 
with education;
     Supporting the acquisition and development of 
instrumentation that contributes to, or takes advantage of, existing 
investments in cyberinfrastructure, while avoiding duplication of 
services already provisioned by NSF investments; and
     Promoting substantive and meaningful partnerships for 
instrument development between the academic and private sectors. Such 
partnerships have

[[Page 63518]]

the potential to build capacity for instrument development in academic 
settings and to create new products with wide scientific and commercial 
impact.
    The MRI program is seeking OMB approval to administer a 
comprehensive survey of all MRI awardees to better understand outcomes 
from the program.

Expected Respondents

    The respondents will be current and former MRI awardees all based 
at academic and non-profit organizations. Quantitative procedures will 
be fielded using Web-based modes. Up to 3,600 MRI awardees 
(respondents) will be contacted to request their participation in the 
survey. As needed, each MRI awardee will be contacted with reminders to 
complete the survey no more than twice during the survey's duration 
under this generic clearance. Technology will be heavily utilized to 
limit the burden on respondents.

Use of the Information

    The purpose of this survey of MRI awardees is to better understand 
outcomes of NSF MRI-related investments. The data will be used 
internally to inform NSF as it considers future improvements to the MRI 
program, and to gain a better understanding regarding the program's 
impact on associated research and education activities. Findings may be 
presented externally in technical papers at conferences, published in 
the proceedings of conferences, or in journals.

Burden on the Public

    Number of Respondents: 3600.
    Number of Minutes per Response: 30.
    Overall Burden Request (in hours): 1800.

    Dated: October 12, 2010.
Suzanne Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2010-26020 Filed 10-14-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P