[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 165 (Thursday, August 25, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58539-58540]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20367]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: 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, Pub. L. 104-13. 
This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published 
in the Federal Register at 81 FR 40353, 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 f the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including

[[Page 58540]]

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 
Partnerships for Research and Education in Materials (PREM).
    OMB Number: 3145-0232.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to renew an information 
collection.
    Overview of This Information Collection: NSF has standing authority 
to support activities to improve the participation of women and 
minorities in science and engineering under the Science and Engineering 
Equal Opportunities Act (Public Law 96-516), and authority to collect 
data on those issues.
    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 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: 34 hours per PREM for 12 PREMs for a total of 
408 hours.
    Respondents: Non-profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One from each of the 
twelve PREMs.

    Dated: August 22, 2016.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2016-20367 Filed 8-24-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P