[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 231 (Monday, December 2, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72119-72120]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-28738]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Submission for OMB review; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted the 
following information collection requirement to OMB for review and 
clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13. 
This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published 
in the Federal Register at 78 FR 3453, and one comment was 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 (including comments) may be 
found at: http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
    Comments: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Foundation, including whether the information will 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Foundation's estimate 
of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by January 2, 
2014, to be assured consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to address 
below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. 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, which is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 
days a week, 365 days a year (including federal holidays).
    NSF 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:
    Comments: As required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), comments on the 
information collection activities as part of this study were solicited 
through publication of a 60-Day Notice in the Federal Register on 
January 17, 2013, at 78 FR 3453. We received one comment, to which we 
here respond.
    Comment and Response: The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR). 
The concerns raised by COGR were addressed by the Engineering 
Directorate at the National Science Board Task Force on Administrative 
Burdens meeting held on April 22, 2013. The Engineering Directorate 
acknowledged that, given the current guidelines, the original Federal 
Register notice for this EFRI project contained an error in using the 
word ``required'' and that it has since changed the request to the 
respondents from required to voluntary. In addition, the data 
collection requested here for the purpose of the pilot aims to 
undertake testing of the EFRI questionnaire by an objective, 
independent, third party to ensure that the questions asked have a 
format and scope that minimizes the burden on the respondents.
    After consideration of this comment and action taken to mitigate 
the concerns raised, we are moving forward with our submission to OMB.
    Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting Requirements for the 
Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation program.
    OMB Number: 3145-NEW.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to establish an 
information collection system.

Abstract

    Proposed Project: The Office of Emerging Frontiers in Research and 
Innovation (EFRI) has been established as a result of strategic 
planning and reorganization of NSF Engineering Directorate (ENG). 
Motivated by the vision of the Directorate for Engineering to be the 
global leader in advancing the frontiers of fundamental engineering 
research, Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation (EFRI) EFRI 
serves a critical role in focusing research

[[Page 72120]]

on important emerging areas in a timely manner. EFRI awards receive 
support of up to a total of $2,000,000 spread over four years. The EFRI 
program has awarded 215 research proposals since 2007.
    The EFRI program is a relatively new and substantial funding 
initiative. Therefore, it is of great value to determine the 
effectiveness and outcomes of the program. This request for OMB 
approval is in reference to a pilot project to test the design and 
implementation of a questionnaire developed by the EFRI/ENG and OAD/ENG 
team. The EFRI/ENG team is seeking the assistance of an objective, 
independent, third party to evaluate that the questionnaire has a 
format and scope that minimizes the burden on the respondents. The 
questionnaire shall be evaluated for its effectiveness in capturing the 
data detailed in the EFRI logic model while streamlining the collection 
process and minimizing the burden to the PI, including eliminating any 
redundancies and overlap with indicators already collected in the NSF's 
standard reporting mechanism, the Research Performance Progress Report 
(RPPR). The purpose of the questionnaire being tested is to obtain, on 
a voluntary basis, the best data available on the outcomes of the 
funded research. Because of the very unique and innovative nature of 
the EFRI grants, we are seeking to collect additional longitudinal 
information from the grantees about their research that allows us to 
capture the unique goals and purpose of the program. This is very 
important to enable appropriate and accurate evaluation of the program 
and to determine whether or not the specific goals of the program are 
being met.
    The questionnaire, built to reflect upon the EFRI logic model, 
address the following categories of activities: (1) Knowledge transfer 
across disciplines, (2) innovation of ideas in areas of greater 
opportunity, (3) potential for translational research, (4) project 
results advance the frontier/creation of new fields of study, (5) 
innovative research methods or discoveries are introduced to the 
classroom, and (6) fostering participation of underrepresented groups 
in science. For each of the categories the questionnaire collects 
information from the grantees on specific project outputs and outcomes.
    Grantees will be asked to provide responses to the questions asked 
in the questionnaire on their progress, on a voluntary basis. To track 
the activity of EFRI grants, the questionnaire collects information on 
impact indicators. These indicators are both quantitative and 
descriptive and may include, for example, the achievements of EFRI 
investigators and students; characteristics of industrial and/or other 
sector participation; research, educational, and knowledge transfer 
impacts; patents, licenses; publications; new methods, significant 
advances, achievements and other outcomes of the EFRI effort.
    Use of the Information: The data collected will be used for NSF 
internal reports, historical data, program level studies and 
evaluations, and for securing future funding for continued EFRI program 
maintenance and growth.
    Estimate of Burden: No more than 8.5 hours per grant for no greater 
than 20 grants (including the time to collect the data and 
information).
    Respondents: Principle Investigators that lead the EFRI grants, 
students and post-docs.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Report: There are 14 questions in 
the questionnaire and an additional 7 questions in a student 
satisfaction survey.

    Dated: November 26, 2013.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2013-28738 Filed 11-29-13; 8:45 am]
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