[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 14, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 77854]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32035]


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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: 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 February 13, 
2012, to be assured consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to address 
below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports 
Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, 
Suite 295, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone (703) 292-7556; or send 
email 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 of Collection: Grantee Reporting Requirements for the 
Engineering Research Centers (ERCs).
    OMB Number: 3145-NEW.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to establish an 
information collection.

Abstract

Proposed Project

    The Engineering Research Centers (ERC) program supports an 
integrated, interdisciplinary research environment to advance 
fundamental engineering knowledge and engineered systems; educate a 
globally competitive and diverse engineering workforce from K-12 on; 
and join academe and industry in partnership to achieve these goals. 
ERCs conduct world-class research through partnerships of academic 
institutions, national laboratories, industrial organizations, and/or 
other public/private entities. New knowledge thus created is 
meaningfully linked to society.
    ERCs conduct world-class research with an engineered systems 
perspective that integrates materials, devices, processes, components, 
control algorithms and/or other enabling elements to perform a well-
defined function. These systems provide a unique academic research and 
education experience that involves integrative complexity and 
technological realization. The complexity of the systems perspective 
includes the factors associated with its use in industry, society/
environment, or the human body.
    ERCs enable and foster excellent education, integrate research and 
education, speed knowledge/technology transfer through partnerships 
between academe and industry, and prepare a more competitive future 
workforce. ERCs capitalize on diversity through participation in center 
activities and demonstrate leadership in the involvement of groups 
underrepresented in science and engineering.
    Centers will be required to submit annual reports on progress and 
plans, which will be used as a basis for performance review and 
determining the level of continued funding. To support this review and 
the management of a Center, ERCs will also be required to submit 
management and performance indicators annually to NSF via a data 
collection Web site that is managed by a technical assistance 
contractor. These indicators are both quantitative and descriptive and 
may include, for example, the characteristics of center personnel and 
students; sources of cash and in-kind support; expenditures by 
operational component; characteristics of industrial and/or other 
sector participation; research activities; education activities; 
knowledge transfer activities; patents, licenses; publications; degrees 
granted to students involved in Center activities; descriptions of 
significant advances and other outcomes of the ERC effort. Such 
reporting requirements will be included in the cooperative agreement 
which is binding between the academic institution and the NSF.
    Each Center's annual report will address the following categories 
of activities: (1) Vision and impact, (2) strategic plan, (3) research 
program, (4) innovation ecosystem and industrial collaboration, (5) 
education, (6) infrastructure (leadership, management, facilities, 
diversity) and (7) budget issues.
    For each of the categories the report will describe overall 
objectives for the year, progress toward center goals, problems the 
Center has encountered in making progress towards goals and how they 
were overcome, plans for the future and anticipated research and other 
barriers to overcome in the following year, and specific outputs and 
outcomes.
    Use of the Information: The data collected will be used for NSF 
internal reports, historical data, performance review by peer site 
visit teams, program level studies and evaluations, and for securing 
future funding for continued ERC program maintenance and growth.
    Estimate of Burden: 150 hours per center for 17 centers for a total 
of 2550 hours plus .
    Respondents: Academic institutions.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One from each of the 17 
ERCs.

    Dated: December 9, 2011.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2011-32035 Filed 12-13-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P