[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 179 (Friday, September 14, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56876-56877]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-22686]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request: Office 
of Inspector General Review of Awardee Implementation of NSF's 
Requirement for a Responsible Conduct of Research Program

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Inspector 
General (OIG) is announcing plans to establish this collection. In 
accordance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are providing opportunity for 
public comment on this action. After obtaining and considering public 
comment, NSF will prepare the submission requesting Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) clearance of this collection for no longer 
than 3 years. 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 respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology.

DATES: Written comments should be received by November 13, 2012 to be 
assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be 
considered to the extent practicable.

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 
22030, or by email to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne Plimpton at (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: Office of Inspector General Review of Awardee 
Implementation of NSF's Requirement for a Responsible Conduct of 
Research Program.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-NEW.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to establish an 
information collection.
    Abstract: The National Science Foundation Office of Inspector 
General (NSF OIG) requests establishment of data collection to assess 
awardee institutions' plans to provide adequate

[[Page 56877]]

training in the responsible conduct of research to undergraduate 
students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers who are 
supported by NSF.
    Section 7009 of the America COMPETES Act (codified at 42 U.S.C. 
1862o-1) requires NSF to ensure that ``each institution that applies 
for financial assistance from the Foundation for science and 
engineering research or education describe in its grant proposal a plan 
to provide appropriate training and oversight in the responsible and 
ethical conduct of research * * *.'' NSF's implementation of this 
requirement is described in the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and 
Procedures Guide, Part II--Award and Administration Guide, Chapter IV, 
Part B and is available at nsf.gov/pubs/policydocs/pappguide/nsf11001/aag_4.jsp#IVB.
    The Office of Inspector General provides independent oversight of 
NSF's programs and operations. NSF OIG is responsible for promoting 
efficiency and effectiveness in agency programs and for preventing and 
detecting fraud, waste, and abuse. NSF OIG supports NSF in its mission 
by safeguarding the integrity of NSF programs and operations through 
audits, investigations, and other reviews.
    This information collection is necessary for review of 
institutional compliance with the responsible conduct of research 
requirements. NSF OIG will primarily use the data collected to inform 
the Foundation and Congress whether current responsible conduct of 
research programs comply with NSF's requirement and to make 
recommendations to strengthen these programs if necessary. The results 
of the information collection also will assist NSF OIG in developing a 
responsible conduct of research oversight plan.
    The scope of this information request will primarily address how 
awardees have implemented NSF's requirement by interviewing three 
groups of people: (1) Upper-level administrators (e.g., Vice Presidents 
or Vice Provosts), program administrators (e.g., Research Integrity 
Officers or Compliance Officers), and trainees who have participated in 
the program (undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral 
researchers). From the upper-level administrators, we will request 
information that will allow us to assess the institution's commitment 
to the program, including resources (both financial and staff), and how 
the expectations for the program are communicated to faculty and 
students. We will request from the program administrators specific 
information such as course structure and content, participation 
requirements and options, compliance tracking, faculty participation, 
resource allocation, and oversight. From the course participants, we 
will request information about their experiences in the courses with 
regard to format, duration, content, and the benefits and drawbacks of 
taking an RCR course. The information collection will be conducted 
through video-conferencing between NSF OIG and the institutions' 
participants.
    Use of the Information: This information is required for NSF OIG's 
effective oversight of NSF programs and operations by reviewing 
institutions' compliance with the responsible conduct of research 
requirements of the America COMPETES Act and NSF's Proposal and Award 
Policies and Procedures Guide.
    This collection primarily will be used for accountability and 
evaluation purposes, and to inform Congress and NSF on the outcome of 
the information collection.
    Respondents: Institutions that receive funding from NSF and are 
required to provide adequate training on the responsible conduct of 
research.
    Number of Respondents: NSF OIG anticipates collecting information 
from a minimum of 20 institutions per year and a maximum of 100 
institutions. Participants at each institution will include at least 
one senior level administrator, one representative from the responsible 
conduct of research program, and a group of students with at least one 
undergraduate student, one graduate student, and one postdoctoral 
researcher. The information collection will involve between 100 and 500 
respondents per year.
    Burden on the Public: NSF OIG estimates that the time required for 
information collection from each senior level administrator will be 
approximately 30 minutes, from each representative from the responsible 
conduct of research program approximately 1.5 hours, and from students 
and postdocs approximately 1 hour each.
    At a minimum, each institution will require 4 hours to complete the 
information collection. The minimum total time burden for 20 
institutions per year is 80 hours and 400 hours per year for 100 
universities.

    Dated: September 11, 2012.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2012-22686 Filed 9-13-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P