[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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