[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 249 (Tuesday, December 29, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 81375-81376]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-32722]


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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 64024, and one comment was 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 
these information collections 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: Comment: On October 23, 2015, we published 
in the Federal Register (80 FR 64024) a 60-day notice of our intent to 
request renewal of this information collection authority from OMB. In 
that notice, we solicited public comments for 60 days ending December 
21, 2015. One comment was received from the public notice from the 
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB). In 
their comment, FASEB provided support for the Biological Sciences 
Proposal Classification Forms, noting that they provide ``additional 
means for maintaining a stringent merit review process and data-driven 
oversight of NSF's research portfolio.''
    Response: NSF thanks FASEB for its support of the Biological 
Classification forms and is proceeding with the clearance request.
    Title of Collection: ``Biological Sciences Proposal Classification 
Form''
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0203.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to renew an information 
collection for three years.
    Proposed Project: Five organizational units within the Directorate 
of Biological Sciences of the National Science Foundation will use the 
Biological Sciences Proposal Classification Form. They are the Division 
of Biological Infrastructure (DBI), the Division of Environmental 
Biology (DEB), the Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences 
(MCB), the Division of Integrative Organismal Systems IOS) and Emerging 
Frontiers (EF). All scientists submitting proposals to these units will 
be asked to complete an electronic version of the Proposal 
Classification Form. The form consists of brief questions about the 
substance of the research and the investigator's previous federal 
support. Each division will have a slightly different version of the 
form. In this way, submitters will only confront response choices that 
are relevant to their discipline.
    Use of the Information: The information gathered with the 
Biological Sciences Proposal Classification Form serves two main 
purposes. The first is facilitation of the proposal review process. 
Since peer review is a key component of NSF's grant-making process, it 
is imperative that proposals are reviewed by scientists with 
appropriate expertise. The information collected with the Proposal 
Classification Form helps ensure that the proposals are evaluated by 
specialists who are well versed in appropriate subject matter. This 
helps maintain a fair and equitable review process.
    The second use of the information is program evaluation. The 
Directorate is committed to investing in a range of substantive areas. 
With data from this collection, the Directorate can calculate 
submission rates and funding rates in specific areas of research. 
Similarly, the information can be used to identify emerging areas of 
research, evaluate changing infrastructure needs in the research 
community, and track the amount of international research. As the 
National Science Foundation is

[[Page 81376]]

committed to funding cutting-edge science, these factors all have 
implications for program management.
    The Directorate of Biological Sciences has a continuing commitment 
to monitor its information collection in order to preserve its 
applicability and necessity. Through periodic updates and revisions, 
the Directorate ensures that only useful, non-redundant information is 
collected. These efforts will reduce excessive reporting burdens
    Burden on the Public: The Directorate estimates that an average of 
five minutes is expended for each proposal submitted. An estimated 
6,500 responses are expected during the course of one year for a total 
of 542 public burden hours annually.
    Expected Respondents: Individuals.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 6,800.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,800.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 567 hours.
    Frequency of Responses: On occasion.

    Dated: December 23, 2015.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2015-32722 Filed 12-28-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P