[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 79 (Monday, April 25, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24052-24053]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-09562]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 79 / Monday, April 25, 2016 / 
Notices  

[[Page 24052]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of Advocacy and Outreach


1994 Tribal Scholars Program; Notice of Request for Reinstatement 
of a Previously Approved Collection

AGENCY: Office of Advocacy and Outreach, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. Chapter 35), this notice announces the Office of Advocacy and 
Outreach's (OAO) intention to request approval from the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for the reinstatement of a previously 
approved data collection for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 
1994 Tribal Scholars Program.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 24, 2016 to be 
assured of consideration.
    Additional Information or Comments:
    Contact: Lawrence Shorty, Program Director, USDA 1994 Program, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Mailstop: 0601, Washington, DC 20250.
    Phone: (202) 720-7265.
    Fax: (202) 720-7704.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program.
    OMB Number: 0503-0016.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from approval date.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement of a previously approved information 
collection.
    Abstract: The purpose of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 
1994 Tribal Scholars Program is to strengthen the long-term partnership 
between USDA and the 1994 Land-Grant Institutions to increase the 
number of students studying and graduating in food, agriculture, 
natural resources, and other related fields of study, and to develop 
the pool of scientists and professionals to annually fill 50,000 jobs 
in the food, agricultural, and natural resources system.
    The USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program, within the Office of the 
Assistant Secretary for Administration, Office of Advocacy and 
Outreach, is an annual, joint human capital initiative between USDA and 
the Nation's 1994 Land-Grant Institutions, also known as 1994 Tribal 
Colleges and Universities (1994 TCUs). This program offers a 
combination of paid work experience with a USDA sponsoring agency 
through an appointment under the Fellowship Experience Program (FEP). 
FEP will permit the recruitment and selection of exceptional students 
majoring in agriculture related fields of study at USDA partner 
colleges and universities. Under the FEP, students will fill Excepted 
Service positions, receive mentoring, and be provided developmental 
assignments. These temporary appointments will be made using the 
Schedule A in 5 CFR 213.3102(r) and may not exceed 4 years based on 
defined criteria.
    When students graduate, they will be eligible to compete for job 
opportunities at USDA. Additionally, the experience the students gain 
via classroom instruction in their respective degree paths, along with 
their USDA work experience, will make them strong candidates for 
opportunities in agriculture and agri-business related fields. The USDA 
1994 Tribal Scholars Program is designed to integrate classroom study 
into a degreed college or university program such as agriculture and 
natural resources, which prepares the student for competing for 
positions in the sponsoring agency's future workforce and with paid 
tuition, fees, books, use of a laptop computer, and leadership 
training. The program is conducted in accordance with a planned 
schedule and a working agreement between USDA agencies and the student.
    The USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program will offer scholarships and 
internships to U.S. citizens for a period of up to 4 years. The 
eligibility standards are:
    1. Must be at least 16 years old.
    2. Must be able to complete required occupation-related work 
experience (640 hours) prior to or concurrently with the completion of 
course requirements for the degree.
    3. Must be a United States citizen or national (resident of 
American Samoa or Swains Island). If you are not a citizen, you may 
participate if you are legally admitted to the United States as a 
permanent resident, and are able to meet United States citizenship 
requirements prior to completion of your degree.
    4. Must be in good academic standing. Cannot be on academic 
probation. Must furnish course registration information at the start of 
each school term; must provide verification of academic status at the 
end of each academic term (grade report or transcript); must meet 
academic standards as set forth by the school they are attending; 
maintain satisfactory progress in completing academic requirements; and 
demonstrate satisfactory performance and conduct.
    5. If selected, students must sign USDA Fellowship agreements.
    6. Must be enrolled in, accepted, or plan to seek a Bachelor's or 
Associate's degree in an accredited 1994 Tribal Land-Grant College or 
University as demonstrated by a declaration of a major course of study.
    7. Carry at a minimum, a half-time course load as defined by the 
institution.
    8. Be enrolled in an academic major related to the occupation being 
considered.
    Summary of Collection: Each applicant will be required to submit an 
application for the USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program; proof of 
acceptance or enrollment in school via transcript (mandatory for 
current students and recent graduates); and a letter of acceptance (or 
proof of registration, or letter from school official) on official 
letterhead; if applicable.
    If selected, each student must furnish course registration at the 
start of each school term, provide verification of academic status at 
the end of each academic term (grade report or transcript), meet 
academic standards as set forth by the school they are attending, 
maintain satisfactory progress in completing academic requirements, and 
demonstrate satisfactory performance and conduct.
    Need and Use of the Information: The information is needed for 
identifying and tracking applicants that match the human capital needs 
of USDA agencies from 1994 Land-Grant Institutions

[[Page 24053]]

through an internship and an award of an annually reviewed and renewed 
scholarship with the objective of preparing the student to compete for 
placement into USDA's workforce.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 1.2 hours per response.
    Respondents: Individuals attending or interested in attending 1994 
Land Grant Institutions, teachers, principals, and guidance counselors, 
and USDA Agency supervisors.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 480.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 1440.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 3.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 4320 hours.
    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, 
including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or 
other technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology. Comments may be sent to Lawrence Shorty, Program Director, 
USDA 1994 Program, Office of Advocacy and Outreach, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW., Mail Stop 0601, Washington, DC 20250.
    All comments received will be available for public inspection 
during regular business hours at the same address.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public 
record.

Carolyn C. Parker,
Office of Advocacy and Outreach, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 2016-09562 Filed 4-22-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE P