[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 154 (Thursday, August 9, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47676-47677]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-19531]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Comment Request: Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive 
Research Jurisdictional Survey

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. This is the 
second notice for public comment; the first was published in the 
Federal Register at 75 FR 66167 and no comments were received. NSF is 
forwarding the proposed 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.

DATES: Comments regarding these information collections are best 
assured of having their full effect if received by OMB within 30 days 
of publication in the Federal Register.

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 email to [email protected]. Copies of the submission may be 
obtained by calling (703) 292-7556.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne Plimpton, the NSF Reports 
Clearance Officer, phone (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).
    An agency 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title of Collection: Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive 
Research Jurisdictional Survey Evaluation for the National Science 
Foundation.
    OMB Number: 3145-NEW.
    Type of Request: Initial Clearance.

Abstract

    The National Science Foundation (NSF) Act of 1950 (Pub. L. 507-81st 
Congress, as amended) stated that ``* * * it shall be an objective of 
the Foundation to strengthen science and engineering research potential 
and education at all levels throughout the United States; and avoid 
undue concentration of such research and education, respectively.'' 
This Congressional directive recognized the inherent value of a truly 
national scientific and engineering (S&E) research enterprise. Over 
time, however, the nation's S&E efforts became concentrated 
geographically, focusing primarily on a limited number of major 
research universities. The NSF's resources became concentrated to the 
point where in 1977, in response to congressional concerns; the 
National Science Board established a task force to examine the 
geographical distribution of NSF awards. The issue was discussed at the 
195th meeting of the NSB. Approval was requested for initiation of a 
program designed to ``stimulate competitive research in regions of the 
country that were less able to compete successfully for research 
funds.'' In 1978 the NSB approved a resolution (NSB-78-12) establishing 
the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) and 
the general guidelines for its management.
    The mission of EPSCoR is to assist the National Science Foundation 
in its statutory function ``to strengthen research and education in 
science and engineering throughout the United States and to avoid undue 
concentration of such research and education.''
    The EPSCoR goals are to: (1) Provide strategic programs and 
opportunities for EPSCoR participants that stimulate sustainable 
improvements in their R&D capacity and competitiveness; and (2) advance 
science and engineering capabilities in EPSCoR jurisdictions for 
discovery, innovation, and overall knowledge-based prosperity.
    The EPSCoR objectives are to: (1) Catalyze key research themes and 
related activities within and among EPSCoR jurisdictions that empower 
knowledge generation, dissemination and application; (2) activate 
effective jurisdictional and regional collaborations among academic, 
government and private sector stakeholders that advance scientific 
research, promote innovation and provide multiple societal benefits; 
(3) broaden participation in science and engineering by institutions, 
organizations and people within and among EPSCoR jurisdictions; and (4) 
use EPSCoR for development, implementation and evaluation of future 
programmatic experiments that motivate positive change and progression.

Expected Respondents

    The respondents will be current and former EPSCoR awardees based at 
academic; state and local governments; and non-profit organizations. 
Quantitative procedures will be fielded using Web-based modes. Up to 
200 EPSCoR awardees will be contacted to request their participation in 
the survey. As needed, each EPSCoR 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 EPSCoR awardees is to better 
understand outcomes of NSF EPSCoR-related investments. The data will be 
used internally to inform NSF as it considers future improvements to 
the EPSCoR program, and to gain a better understanding regarding the 
program's impact on associated research and education activities. 
Findings may be presented externally to Congress, the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB), in technical papers at conferences, 
published in the proceedings of conferences, or in journals.

Burden on the Public

    Number of Respondents: 87.
    Average Number of Hour per Response: 30.
    Overall Burden Request (in hours): 2639.
    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

[[Page 47677]]

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.

    Dated: August 6, 2012.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2012-19531 Filed 8-8-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P