[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 237 (Thursday, December 10, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76713-76714]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31150]


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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, Public Law 104-13. 
This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published 
in the Federal Register at 80 FR 50328, and no comments were received. 
NSF is forwarding the proposed renewal submission to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with the 
publication of this second notice. The full submission may be found at: 
http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. 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; or (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: Office of Information 
and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for National 
Science Foundation, 725 17th Street NW., Room 10235, Washington, DC 
20503, and to Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National 
Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1265, Arlington, 
Virginia 22230 or send email to [email protected]. Comments regarding 
this information collection 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 703-292-7556.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. 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).
    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:
    Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting Requirements for the 
Graduate Research Fellowship Program.
    OMB Control No.: 3145-0223.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to renew an information 
collection.
    Abstract:
    Proposed Project: The purpose of the NSF Graduate Research 
Fellowship Program is to help ensure the vitality and diversity of the 
scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. The program 
recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing 
research-based master's and doctoral degrees in science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and in STEM education. The GRFP 
provides three years of support, to be used during a five-year 
fellowship period, for the graduate education of individuals who have 
demonstrated their potential for

[[Page 76714]]

significant research achievements in STEM and STEM education.
    The Graduate Research Fellowship Program uses several sources of 
information in assessing and documenting program performance and 
impact. These sources include reports from program evaluation, the GRFP 
Committee of Visitors, and data compiled from the applications. In 
addition, GRFP Fellows submit annual activity reports to NSF.
    The GRFP Completion report is proposed as a continuing component of 
the annual reporting requirement for the program. This report, 
submitted by the GRFP Institution, certifies the completion status of 
Fellows at the institution (e.g., in progress, completed, graduated, 
transferred, or withdrawn). The existing Completion Report, Grants 
Roster Report, and the Program Expense Report comprise the GRFP Annual 
Reporting requirements from the Grantee GRFP institution. Through 
submission of the Completion Report to NSF GRFP institutions certify 
the current status of all GRFP Fellows at the institution as either: In 
Progress, Graduated, Transferred, or Withdrawn. For Graduate Fellows 
with Graduated status, the graduation date is a required reporting 
element. Collection of this information allows the program to obtain 
information on the current status of Fellows, the number and/or 
percentage of Graduate Fellowship recipients who complete a science or 
engineering graduate degree, and an estimate of time to degree 
completion. The report must be certified and submitted by the 
institution's designated Coordinating Official (CO) annually.
    Use of the Information: The completion report data provides NSF 
with accurate Fellow information regarding completion of the Fellows' 
graduate programs. The data is used by NSF in its assessment of the 
impact of its investments in the GRFP, and informs its program 
management.
    Estimate of Burden: Overall average time will be 15 minutes per 
Fellow (8,500 Fellows) for a total of 2,215 hours for all institutions 
with Fellows. An estimate for institutions with 12 or fewer Fellows 
will be 1 hour, institutions with 12-48 fellows will be 4 hours, and 
institutions over 48 Fellows will be 10 hours.
    Respondents: Academic institutions with NSF Graduate Fellows (GRFP 
Institutions).
    Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One from each of the 271 
current GRFP institutions.

    Dated: December 7, 2015.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2015-31150 Filed 12-9-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P