[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 25 (Monday, February 8, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6544-6545]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-02365]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Establish an Information 
Collection

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
request clearance of this collection. In accordance with the 
requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (Pub. L. 104-13), we are providing opportunity for public comment 
on this action. After obtaining and considering public comment, NSF 
will prepare the submission requesting that OMB approve clearance of 
this collection for no longer than three years.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by April 8, 
2016 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.

For Additional Information or Comments: Contact 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). You also may obtain a copy of the data collection instrument 
and instructions from Ms. Plimpton.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title of Collection: Awardee Reporting Requirements for the 
Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) 
Research Infrastructure Improvement Programs.
    OMB Number: 3145--NEW.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to establish an 
information collection.

Abstract

Proposed Project

    The mission of the National Science Foundation (NSF) is to promote 
the progress of science; to advance the national health, welfare, and 
prosperity; and to secure the national defense, while avoiding the 
undue concentration of research and education. In 1977, in response to 
congressional concern that NSF funding was overly concentrated 
geographically, a National Science

[[Page 6545]]

Board task force analyzed the geographic distribution of NSF funds, 
which resulted in the creation of an NSF Experimental Program to 
Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). Congress specified two 
objectives for the EPSCoR program in the National Science Foundation 
Authorization Act of 1988: (1) To assist States that historically have 
received relatively little Federal research and development funding; 
and (2) to assist States that have demonstrated a commitment to develop 
their research bases and improve science and engineering research and 
education programs at their universities and colleges.
    The EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Programs advance 
science and engineering capabilities in EPSCoR jurisdictions for 
discovery, innovation and overall knowledge-based prosperity. These 
projects build human, cyber, and physical infrastructure in EPSCoR 
jurisdictions, stimulating sustainable improvements in their Research & 
Development (R&D) capacity and competitiveness.
    EPSCoR projects are unique in their scope and complexity; in their 
integration of individual researchers, institutions, and organizations; 
and in their role in developing the diverse, well-prepared, STEM-
enabled workforce necessary to sustain research competitiveness and 
catalyze economic development. In addition, these projects are 
generally inter- (or multi-)disciplinary and involve effective 
jurisdictional and regional collaborations among academic, government 
and private sector stakeholders that advance scientific research, 
promote innovation and provide multiple societal benefits; and they 
broaden participation in science and engineering by engaging multiple 
institutions and organizations at all levels of research and education, 
and people within and among EPSCoR jurisdictions. These projects 
usually involve between 100 (Track-2) to 300 (Track-1) participants per 
year over the performance period and provide outreach experiences to 
thousands of K-12 students and teachers. America COMPETES 
Reauthorization Act of 2010, Section 517 (H.R. 5116, Section 517) 
requires NSF EPSCoR to submit annual reports to both Congress and OSTP 
that contains data detailing project progress and success (new 
investigators, broadening participation, dissemination of results, new 
workshops, outreach activities, proposals submitted and awarded, 
mentoring activities among faculty members, collaborations, researcher 
participating on the review process, etc.).
    EPSCoR RII Track-1 and Track-2 projects are required to submit 
annual reports on progress and plans, which are used as a basis for 
performance review and determining the level of continued funding. To 
support this review and the management of an EPSCoR RII projects, teams 
are required to develop a set of performance indicators for building 
sustainable infrastructure and capacity in terms of a strategic plan 
for the project; measure performance and revise strategies as 
appropriate; report on the progress relative to the project's goals and 
milestones; and describe changes in strategies, if any, for submission 
annually to NSF. These indicators are both quantitative and descriptive 
and may include, for example, the characteristics of project personnel 
and students; aggregate demographics of participants; sources of 
financial support and in-kind support; expenditures by operational 
component; characteristics of industrial and/or other sector 
participation; research activities; workforce development activities; 
external engagement activities; patents and patent licenses; 
publications; degrees granted to students involved in project 
activities; and descriptions of significant advances and other outcomes 
of the EPSCoR project's efforts. Part of this reporting takes the form 
of several spreadsheets to capture specific information to demonstrate 
progress towards achieving the goals of the program. Such reporting 
requirements are included in the cooperative agreement which is binding 
between the awardee institution and NSF.
    Each project's annual report addresses the following categories of 
activities: (1) Research, (2) education, (3) workforce development, (4) 
partnerships and collaborations, (5) communication and dissemination, 
(6) sustainability, (7) diversity, (8) management, and (9) evaluation 
and assessment.
    For each of the categories the report is required to describe 
overall objectives for the year; specific accomplishments, impacts, 
outputs and outcomes; problems or challenges the project has 
encountered in making progress towards goals; and anticipated problems 
in performance during the following year.
    Use of the Information: NSF will use the information to continue 
funding of the EPSCoR RII projects, and to evaluate the progress of the 
program.
    The current RPPR is designed primarily to support reporting from 
individual investigators and nor for large centers/center-like programs 
involving hundreds of participants. The change would facilitate 
reporting better aligned with program goals and is expected to minimize 
reporting burden on the EPSCoR community and provide data as 
legislatively required for NSF EPSCoR.
    Estimate of Burden: 100 hours per project for twenty-nine projects 
for a total of 2,900 hours.
    Respondents: Non-profit institutions; federal government.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One.
    Comments: Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Agency, including whether the information shall 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of 
the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information on 
respondents, including through the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology; and (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.

    Dated: February 2, 2016.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2016-02365 Filed 2-5-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P