[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 99 (Tuesday, May 22, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30330-30331]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-12283]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Establish an Information 
Collection for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program

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 plan for information collection.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by July 23, 
2012 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.
    For Additional Information or Comments: 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

[[Page 30331]]

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). 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 the 
Graduate Research Fellowship Program.
    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 purpose of the NSF Graduate Research 
Fellowship Program is to help ensure the vitality and diversity of the 
scientific and engineering workforce in the United States. The program 
recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing 
research-based master`s and doctoral degrees in fields within NSF's 
mission. The GRFP provides three years of support, to be used during a 
five-year fellowship period, for the graduate education of individuals 
who have demonstrated their potential for significant achievements in 
science and engineering research.
    The Graduate Research Fellowship Program uses several sources of 
information in assessing and documenting program performance and 
impact. These sources include reports from program evaluation, the GRFP 
Committee of Visitors, and data compiled from the applications. In 
addition, GRFP Fellows submit annual activity reports to NSF.
    The GRFP Completion report is proposed as a new component of the 
annual reporting submitted by each GRFP institution to NSF. The 
Completion Report and the existing Program Expense Report will comprise 
the GRFP Annual Report. GRFP institutions will certify the current 
status of all GRFP Fellows at the institution. The current status will 
be reported as either In Progress, Graduated, Transferred, or 
Withdrawn. For Graduate Fellows with Graduated status, the graduation 
date is a required reporting element. Collection of this information 
will allow the program to obtain information on the current status of 
Fellows, the number and/or percentage of Graduate Fellowship recipients 
who complete a science or engineering graduate degree, and an estimate 
of time to degree completion. The report must be certified and 
submitted by the institution's designated Financial Official (FO) 
annually.
    Use of the Information: The completion report data will provide the 
GRFP with accurate Fellow information regarding their completion of 
their graduate programs. The data will be used by NSF in its assessment 
of the impact of its investments in the GRFP, and will inform its 
program management.
    Estimate of Burden: Overall average time will be 15 minutes per 
Fellow (6886 Fellows) for a total of 1722 hours for all institutions 
with Fellows. An estimate for institutions with 12 or fewer Fellows 
will be 1 hour, institutions with 12-48 fellows will be 4 hours, and 
institutions over 48 Fellows will be 10 hours.
    Respondents: Academic institutions with GRFP Fellows.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One from each of the 228 
current GRFP institutions.
    Comments: Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance and 
function of the National Science Foundation, including whether the 
information shall be useful; (b) the accuracy of NSF's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance 
the 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 and (e) the 
usefulness of the data to institutions.

    Dated: May 16, 2012.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2012-12283 Filed 5-21-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P