[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 166 (Monday, August 27, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51749-51750]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-21003]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

August 22, 2012.
    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy 
of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (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 should be addressed to: Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB), [email protected] or fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental 
Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-
7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured 
of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this 
notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling 
(202) 720-8958.
    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.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

    Title: Reporting Requirements for State Plans of Work for 
Agricultural Research and Extension Formula Funds.
    OMB Control Number: 0524-0036.
    Summary of Collection: Section 202 and 225 of the Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (AREERA) requires 
that a plan of work must be submitted by each institution and approved 
by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) before formula 
funds may be provided to the 1862 and 1890 land-grant institutions. The 
plan of work must address critical agricultural issues in the State and 
describe the programs and project targeted to address these issues 
using the NIFA formula funds. The plan of work also must describe the 
institution's multistate activities as well as their integrated 
research and extension activities.
    NIFA is requesting to continue to collect an update to the 5-Year 
Plan of Work which began with the Fiscal Year 2007, and as a result no 
longer needs to collect the initial 5-Year Plan. Also, as required by 
the Food Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (FCEA) (Pub. L. 110-246, 
Sec. 7505), NIFA is working with the university partners in extension 
and research to review and identify measures to streamline the 
submission, reporting under, and implementation of plan of work 
requirements.
    Need and Use of the Information: Institutions are required to 
annually report to NIFA the following: (1) The actions taken to seek 
stakeholder input to encourage their participation; (2) a brief 
statement of the process used by the recipient institution to identify 
individuals or groups who are stakeholders and to collect input from 
them; and (3) a statement of how collected input was considered. NIFA 
uses the information to provide feedback to the institutions on their 
Plans of Work and Annual Reports of Accomplishments and Results in 
order for institutions to improve the conduct and the delivery of their 
programs. Failure to comply with the requirements may result in the 
withholding of a recipient institution's formula funds and 
redistribution of its share of formula funds to other eligible 
institutions.
    Description of Respondents: State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 75.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 48,600.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

    Title: NIFA Grant Application.
    OMB Control Number: 0524-0039.
    Summary of Collection: The United States Department of Agriculture 
(USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) sponsors 
ongoing agricultural research, education, and extension programs under 
which competitive, formula, and special awards of a high-priority 
nature are made These programs are authorized pursuant to the 
authorities contained in the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as amended (7 U.S.C. 3101), the Smith-
Lever Act, and other legislative authorities. Before awards can be 
made, certain information is required from applicants as part of an 
overall application. In addition to a project summary, proposal 
narrative, vitae of key personnel, and other pertinent technical 
aspects of the proposed

[[Page 51750]]

project, supporting documentation of an administrative and budgetary 
nature also must be provided. This information is obtained via 
applications through the use of federal-wide standard grant application 
forms and NIFA specific application forms. Because competitive 
applications are submitted, many of which necessitate review by peer 
panelists, it is particularly important that applicants provide the 
information in a standardized fashion to ensure equitable treatment for 
all.
    Need and Use of the Information: The fundamental purpose of the 
information requested is for USDA proposal evaluation, award, 
management, reporting, and recordkeeping, as part of the overall 
administration of the research, education, and extension programs 
administered by NIFA. In addition to federal-wide standard grant 
application forms, NIFA will use the following program and agency 
specific components as part of its application package: Supplemental 
Information Form; Application Type Form; Application Modification Form; 
Form NIFA-2008, Assurance Statement(s); Form NIFA-2010, Fellowships/
Scholarships Entry/Annual Update/Exit Form.
    Description of Respondents: Not-for-profit institutions; Business 
or other for-profit; Individuals or household; Federal Government; 
State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 6,150.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: On occasion.
    Total Burden Hours: 14,388.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012-21003 Filed 8-24-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-09-P