[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 119 (Tuesday, June 21, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40353-40354]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-14613]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Extend 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 August 22, 
2016 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports 
Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, 
Suite 1265, 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).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting Requirements for 
Partnerships for Research and Education in Materials (PREM).
    OMB Number: 3145-0232.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 2016.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to extend an information 
collection.
    Overview of This Information Collection: The Partnerships for 
Research and Education in Materials (PREM) aims to enhance diversity in 
materials research and education by stimulating the development of 
formal, long-term, collaborative research and education relationships 
between minority-serving colleges and universities and centers, 
institutes and facilities supported by the NSF Division

[[Page 40354]]

of Materials Research (DMR). With this collaborative model PREMs build 
intellectual and physical infrastructure within and between 
disciplines, weaving together knowledge creation, knowledge 
integration, and knowledge transfer. PREMs conduct world-class research 
through partnerships of academic institutions, national laboratories, 
industrial organizations, and/or other public/private entities. New 
knowledge thus created is meaningfully linked to society, with an 
emphasis on enhancing diversity.
    PREMs enable and foster excellent education, integrate research and 
education, and create bonds between learning and inquiry so that 
discovery and creativity more fully support the learning process. PREMs 
capitalize on diversity through participation and collaboration in 
center activities and demonstrate leadership in the involvement of 
groups underrepresented in science and engineering.
    PREMs will be required to submit annual reports on progress and 
plans, which will be used as a basis for performance review and 
determining the level of continued funding. To support this review and 
the management of the award PREMs will be required to develop a set of 
management and performance indicators for submission annually to NSF 
via the Research Performance Project Reporting module in Research.gov 
and an external technical assistance contractor that collects 
programmatic data electronically. These indicators are both 
quantitative and descriptive and may include, for example, the 
characteristics of personnel and students; sources of financial support 
and in-kind support; expenditures by operational component; research 
activities; education activities; patents, licenses; publications; 
degrees granted to students involved in PREM activities; descriptions 
of significant advances and other outcomes of the PREM effort.
    Each PREM's annual report will address the following categories of 
activities: (1) Research, (2) education, (3) knowledge transfer, (4) 
partnerships, (5) diversity, (6) management, and (7) budget issues.
    For each of the categories the report will describe overall 
objectives for the year, problems the PREM has encountered in making 
progress towards goals, anticipated problems in the following year, and 
specific outputs and outcomes.
    PREMs are required to file a final report through the RPPR and 
external technical assistance contractor. Final reports contain similar 
information and metrics as annual reports, but are retrospective.
    Use of the Information: NSF will use the information to continue 
funding of PREMs, and to evaluate the progress of the program.
    Estimate of Burden: 25 hours per PREM for 12 PREMs for a total of 
300 hours.
    Respondents: Non-profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One from each of the 
twelve PREMs.
    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: June 16, 2016.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2016-14613 Filed 6-20-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P