[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 141 (Thursday, July 23, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43802-43803]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-18007]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Request for Public Comment on an Updated Standardized Research 
Performance Progress Report Format to be Used for Both Interim and 
Final Performance Progress Reporting

AGENCY: National Science Foundation (NSF).

ACTION: Request for public comment on an updated standardized Research 
Performance Progress Report (RPPR) format to be used for both interim 
and final performance progress reporting.

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SUMMARY: The RPPR that was originally developed for use in preparation 
and submission of annual and other interim performance progress reports 
resulted from an initiative of Research Business Models (RBM), an 
Interagency Working Group of the Social, Behavioral & Economic Research 
Subcommittee of the Committee on Science (CoS), a committee of the 
National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). The original version of 
the RPPR format was approved for implementation in the Federal Register 
(FR) [Volume 75, pages 1816-1819, January 13, 2010]. As part of this FR 
notice, it was stated that the development of a final RPPR format would 
take place upon completion of the interim RPPR exercise.
    A revised draft of the format has been developed to incorporate 
lessons learned by agencies during the initial implementation of the 
RPPR. The approach also has been changed from using the format for 
interim performance progress reports only to using the format for both 
interim and final performance progress reports.
    On behalf of the RBM, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has 
agreed to continue to serve as the sponsor of the updated version of 
this Federal-wide performance progress reporting format. The general 
public and Federal agencies are invited to comment on the proposed 
revised format during the 60-day public comment period. A ``For 
Comment'' version of the draft format for use in submission of interim 
and final Research Performance Progress Reports,

[[Page 43803]]

along with a summary of significant changes, are posted on the NSF Web 
site at: http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/rppr/index.jsp.
    After obtaining and considering public comment, the RBM will 
prepare the format for final clearance. Each agency that uses the RPPR 
will need to seek OMB approval of this collection via the Paperwork 
Reduction Act for a period of no longer than three years.
    Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
agencies funding research and research-related activities, including 
whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected 
from respondents, including through the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology; and (c) 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: Comments must be received by September 21, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports 
Clearance Officer, Office of the General Counsel, National Science 
Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA, 22230, email: 
[email protected]; telephone: (703) 292-7556; FAX (703) 292-9242. We 
encourage respondents to submit comments electronically to ensure 
timely receipt. We cannot guarantee that comments mailed will be 
received before the comment closing date. Please include ``Research 
Performance Progress Reporting'' in the subject line of the email 
message; please also include the full body of your comments in the text 
of the message and as an attachment. Include your name, title, 
organization, postal address, telephone number, and email address in 
your message.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To view the proposed RPPR format, see: 
http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/rppr/index.jsp. For information on 
the RPPR, contact Jean Feldman, Head, Policy Office, Division of 
Institution & Award Support, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson 
Blvd., Arlington, VA, 22230, email: [email protected]; telephone (703) 
292-8243; FAX: (703) 292-9171. For further information on the NSTC RBM 
Interagency Working Group, contact Kei Koizumi, at the Office of 
Science and Technology Policy, 1650 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20504; email: [email protected]; telephone 202-456-
6133; FAX 202-456-6021. See also the RBM Web site located at: http://rbm.nih.gov.

    Dated: July 17, 2015.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2015-18007 Filed 7-22-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P