[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 15, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13835-13836]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05760]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice; 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 30738, and no comments were received. 
NSF is

[[Page 13836]]

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; (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 Plimpton, 
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson 
Boulevard, Room 1265, Arlington, VA 22230, or by 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.
    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.
    Under OMB regulations, the agency may continue to conduct or 
sponsor the collection of information while this submission is pending 
at OMB.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments to Suzanne Plimpton, Reports 
Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, 
Room 1265, Arlington, VA 22230, or by email to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Call or write, Suzanne Plimpton, 
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson 
Boulevard, Room 1265, Arlington, VA 22230, or by 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).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
Title of Collection: Survey of Grantees of Science, Engineering and 
Research for Sustainability (SEES) Portfolio of Programs

OMB Approval Number: 3145-NEW7555-01-P

National Science Foundation Agency Information Collection Activities; 
Comment Request; NSF's Science, Engineering, and Education for 
Sustainability (SEES) Portfolio of Programs Survey; Proposed 
Information Collection Request.

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans 
to request establishment and 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.
    A copy of the proposed information collection request (ICR) can 
be obtained by contacting the office listed below in the ADDRESSES 
section of this notice.

DATES: Submit comments before May 16, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National 
Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1265, Arlington, 
Virginia 22230 or send email to [email protected]. Copies of the 
submission may be obtained by calling (703) 292-7556.

Instructions: Please submit one copy of your comments by only one 
method. All submissions received must include the agency name and 
collection name identified above for this information collection. 
Commenters are strongly encouraged to transmit their comments 
electronically via email. Comments, including any personal 
information provided become a matter of public record. They will be 
summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management 
and Budget approval of the information collection request.
For Further Information Contact: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports 
Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson 
Boulevard, Suite 1265, Arlington, Virginia 22230 or send email to 
[email protected]. Copies of the submission may be obtained by 
calling (703) 292-7556. Individuals who use a telecommunications 
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay 
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern 
time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title of Collection: Survey of Grantees of SEES and Comparable 
Non-SEES Programs
    OMB Number: 3145-NEW
    Type of request: Intent to seek approval for ICR

Abstract

    In 2010, NSF established the SEES Portfolio as a multi-year 
effort to coordinate Agency research and education activities 
related to the environment, energy and sustainability. The 
overarching goals of the SEES portfolio are to 1) support 
interdisciplinary research and education that can facilitate the 
move towards global sustainability; 2) build linkages among existing 
projects and partners and add new participants in the sustainability 
research enterprise; and 3) develop a workforce trained in the 
interdisciplinary scholarship needed to understand and address the 
complex issues of sustainability.
    NSF is supporting an evaluation of the SEES portfolio to 
determine the extent to which it has achieved its program- and 
portfolio-level goals. Specifically, the evaluation seeks to measure 
the output and outcomes of SEES in terms of the development of new 
knowledge and concepts that advance the overarching goal of a 
sustainable human future, new and productive connections made 
between researchers in a range of disciplines, and the development 
of a workforce capable of meeting sustainability challenges.
    This comment request relates to a proposed survey of NSF grant 
recipients. The survey respondents are principal investigators (PIs) 
in NSF-funded SEES and comparable non-SEES projects. The survey will 
collect information on respondents' career pathways, NSF grant 
activities, and the development of interdisciplinary networks of 
scholars among researchers.

I. Review Focus

    NSF is interested in comments on the practical utility of the 
survey in view of the project goals and the study approach, the 
burden on respondents and potential ways to minimize it.
    Comments submitted in response to this Notice will be summarized 
and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the ICR; they will also become a matter of public 
record.

II. Current Actions

Affected Public: Grant recipients of NSF SEES and comparable non-
SEES Programs

    Total Respondents: 950
    Frequency: One-time collection
    Total responses: 760
    Average Time per response: 45 minutes
    Estimated Total Burden Hours: 576.3 hours

    Dated: March 9, 2016.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2016-05760 Filed 3-14-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P