[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 141 (Friday, July 22, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47838-47839]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-17369]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 81 FR 31668, and no comments were received. 
NSF is forwarding the proposed submission to the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with the publication of 
this second notice. The full submission (including comments) may be 
found at: http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
    Comments: 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 H. 
Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 
Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1265, Arlington, Virginia 22230 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).

DATES: 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting Requirements for Materials 
Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSECs).
    OMB Number: 3145-0230.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to renew an information 
collection.
    Overview of This Information Collection: The Materials Research 
Science and Engineering Centers (MRSECs) Program supports innovation in 
interdisciplinary research, education, and knowledge transfer. MRSECs 
build intellectual and physical infrastructure within and between 
disciplines, weaving together knowledge creation, knowledge 
integration, and knowledge transfer. MRSECs 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.
    MRSECs 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. 
MRSECs capitalize on diversity through participation in center 
activities and demonstrate leadership in the involvement of groups 
underrepresented in science and engineering.
    MRSECs 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 a Center, MRSECs are 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 center personnel 
and students; sources of financial support and in-kind support; 
expenditures by operational component; characteristics of industrial 
and/or other sector participation; research activities; education 
activities; knowledge transfer activities; patents, licenses; 
publications; degrees granted to students involved in Center 
activities; descriptions of significant advances and other outcomes of 
the MRSEC effort. Such reporting requirements are included in the 
cooperative agreement that is binding between the academic institution 
and the NSF.
    Each Center's annual report will address the following categories 
of activities: (1) Research, (2) education, (3) knowledge transfer, (4) 
partnerships, (5) shared experimental facilities, (6) diversity, (7) 
management, and (8) budget issues.
    For each of the categories the report will describe overall 
objectives for the year, problems the Center has encountered in making 
progress towards goals, anticipated problems in the following year, and 
specific outputs and outcomes.
    MRSECs 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 the Centers, and to evaluate the progress of the program.
    Estimate of Burden: 185 hours per center for 21 centers for a total 
of 3,885 hours.
    Respondents: Non-profit institutions.

[[Page 47839]]

    Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One from each of the 21 
MRSECs.

    Dated: July 19, 2016.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2016-17369 Filed 7-21-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P