[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 145 (Thursday, July 28, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49689-49690]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-17874]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Extend a Current 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 renewal of the National Survey of College Graduates (OMB 
Control Number 3145-0141). In accordance with the requirement of 
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 
three years.
    Comments: Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the NSF, including whether the information will have 
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the NSF's estimate of the burden 
of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, 
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 collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by September 
26, 2016, to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that 
date will be considered to the extent practicable.
    For Additional Information or Comments: 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-

[[Page 49690]]

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: 2017 National Survey of College Graduates.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0141.
    Expiration Date of Approval: May 31, 2018.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to renew an information 
collection for three years.
    Abstract: The National Survey of College Graduates (NSCG) has been 
conducted biennially since the 1970s. The 2017 NSCG sample will be 
selected from the 2015 American Community Survey (ACS) and the 2015 
NSCG. By selecting sample from these two sources, the 2017 NSCG will 
provide coverage of the college graduate population residing in the 
United States. The purpose of this longitudinal survey is to collect 
data that will be used to provide national estimates on the science and 
engineering workforce and changes in their employment, education, and 
demographic characteristics.
    The National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as subsequently 
amended, includes a statutory charge to ``. . . provide a central 
clearinghouse for the collection, interpretation, and analysis of data 
on scientific and engineering resources, and to provide a source of 
information for policy formulation by other agencies of the Federal 
Government.'' The NSCG is designed to comply with these mandates by 
providing information on the supply and utilization of the nation's 
scientists and engineers.
    The U.S. Census Bureau, as in the past, will conduct the NSCG for 
NSF. The survey data collection will begin in February 2017 using web 
and mail questionnaires. Nonrespondents to the web or mail 
questionnaire will be followed up by computer-assisted telephone 
interviewing. The individual's response to the survey is voluntary. The 
survey will be conducted in conformance with Census Bureau statistical 
quality standards and, as such, the NSCG data will be afforded 
protection under the applicable Census Bureau confidentiality statues.
    Use of the Information: The NSF uses the information from the NSCG 
to prepare congressionally mandated reports such as Women, Minorities 
and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering and Science 
and Engineering Indicators. A public release file of collected data, 
designed to protect respondent confidentiality, will be made available 
to researchers on the Internet.
    Expected Respondents: A statistical sample of approximately 118,000 
individuals will be contacted in 2017. NSF expects the response rate to 
be 70 to 80 percent.
    Estimate of Burden: The amount of time to complete the 
questionnaire may vary depending on an individual's circumstances; 
however, on average it will take approximately 30 minutes to complete 
the survey. NSF estimates that the total annual burden will be no more 
than 47,200 hours (= 118,000 respondents x 80% response x 30 minutes) 
during the 2017 survey cycle.

    Dated: July 25, 2016.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2016-17874 Filed 7-27-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P