[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 23 (Friday, February 3, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5580-5581]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-2402]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Extend 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 April 3, 
2012 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time, Monday 
through Friday. You also may obtain a copy of the data collection 
instrument and instructions from Ms. Plimpton.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting Requirements for Science and 
Technology Centers (STC): Integrative Partnerships.
    OMB Number: 3145-0194.
    Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, 2012.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to extend an information 
collection.

Abstract

    Proposed Project:
    The Science and Technology Centers (STC): Integrative Partnerships 
Program supports innovation in the integrative conduct of research, 
education and knowledge transfer. Science and Technology Centers build 
intellectual and physical infrastructure within and between 
disciplines, weaving together knowledge creation, knowledge 
integration, and knowledge transfer. STCs 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.
    STCs enable and foster excellent education, integrate research and 
education, and create bonds between learning and inquiry so that 
discovery and creativity more fully support the learning process. STCs 
capitalize on diversity through participation in center activities and 
demonstrate leadership in the involvement of groups underrepresented in 
science and engineering.
    Centers selected 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, STCs will be required to develop 
a set of management and performance indicators for submission annually 
to NSF via an NSF evaluation technical assistance contractor. These 
indicators are both quantitative and descriptive and may include, for 
example, the characteristics of center personnel and students; sources 
of financial support 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 STC effort. Part of this reporting 
will take the form of a database which will be owned by the institution 
and eventually made available to an evaluation contractor. This 
database will capture specific information to demonstrate progress 
toward achieving the goals of the program. 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) Research, (2) education, (3) knowledge transfer, (4) 
partnerships, (5) diversity, (6) management and (7) budget issues.
    For each of the categories the report will describe overall 
objectives for the year, problems the Center has encountered in making 
progress toward goals, anticipated problems in the following year, and 
specific outputs and outcomes.
    Use of the Information: NSF will use the information to continue 
funding of the Centers, and to evaluate the progress of the program.
    Estimate of Burden: 100 hours per center for seventeen centers for 
a total of 1700 hours.
    Respondents: Non-profit institutions; Federal Government.

[[Page 5581]]

    Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One from each of the 
seventeen centers.
    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.

    Dated: January 31, 2012.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2012-2402 Filed 2-2-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P