[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 215 (Monday, November 7, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78209-78210]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-26826]


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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, Public Law 104-13. 
This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published 
in the Federal Register at 81 FR 6544, 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 
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

[[Page 78210]]

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: Awardee Reporting Requirements for the 
Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) 
Research Infrastructure Improvement Programs
    OMB Number: 3145--NEW
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to establish an 
information collection.
    Abstract:
    Proposed Project:
    The mission of the National Science Foundation (NSF) is to promote 
the progress of science; to advance the national health, welfare, and 
prosperity; and to secure the national defense, while avoiding the 
undue concentration of research and education. In 1977, in response to 
congressional concern that NSF funding was overly concentrated 
geographically, a National Science Board task force analyzed the 
geographic distribution of NSF funds, which resulted in the creation of 
an NSF Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). 
Congress specified two objectives for the EPSCoR program in the 
National Science Foundation Authorization Act of 1988: (1) To assist 
States that historically have received relatively little Federal 
research and development funding; and (2) to assist States that have 
demonstrated a commitment to develop their research bases and improve 
science and engineering research and education programs at their 
universities and colleges
    The EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Programs advance 
science and engineering capabilities in EPSCoR jurisdictions for 
discovery, innovation and overall knowledge-based prosperity. These 
projects build human, cyber, and physical infrastructure in EPSCoR 
jurisdictions, stimulating sustainable improvements in their Research & 
Development (R&D) capacity and competitiveness.
    EPSCoR projects are unique in their scope and complexity; in their 
integration of individual researchers, institutions, and organizations; 
and in their role in developing the diverse, well-prepared, STEM-
enabled workforce necessary to sustain research competitiveness and 
catalyze economic development. In addition, these projects are 
generally inter- (or multi-)disciplinary and involve effective 
jurisdictional and regional collaborations among academic, government 
and private sector stakeholders that advance scientific research, 
promote innovation and provide multiple societal benefits; and they 
broaden participation in science and engineering by engaging multiple 
institutions and organizations at all levels of research and education, 
and people within and among (EPSCoR jurisdictions. These projects 
usually involve between 100 (Track-2) to 300 (Track-1) participants per 
year over the performance period and provide outreach experiences to 
thousands of K-12 students and teachers. America COMPETES 
Reauthorization Act of 2010, Section 517 (H.R. 5116, Section 517) 
requires NSF EPSCoR to submit annual reports to both Congress and OSTP 
that contains data detailing project progress and success (new 
investigators, broadening participation, dissemination of results, new 
workshops, outreach activities, proposals submitted and awarded, 
mentoring activities among faculty members, collaborations, researcher 
participating on the review process, etc.).
    EPSCoR RII Track-1 and Track-2 projects 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 an EPSCoR RII projects, teams 
are required to develop a set of performance indicators for building 
sustainable infrastructure and capacity in terms of a strategic plan 
for the project; measure performance and revise strategies as 
appropriate; report on the progress relative to the project's goals and 
milestones; and describe changes in strategies, if any, for submission 
annually to NSF. These indicators are both quantitative and descriptive 
and may include, for example, the characteristics of project personnel 
and students; aggregate demographics of participants; sources of 
financial support and in-kind support; expenditures by operational 
component; characteristics of industrial and/or other sector 
participation; research activities; workforce development activities; 
external engagement activities; patents and patent licenses; 
publications; degrees granted to students involved in project 
activities; and descriptions of significant advances and other outcomes 
of the EPSCoR project's efforts. Part of this reporting takes the form 
of several spreadsheets to capture specific information to demonstrate 
progress towards achieving the goals of the program. Such reporting 
requirements are included in the cooperative agreement which is binding 
between the awardee institution and NSF.
    Each project's annual report addresses the following categories of 
activities: (1) Research, (2) education, (3) workforce development, (4) 
partnerships and collaborations, (5) communication and dissemination, 
(6) sustainability, (7) diversity, (8) management, and (9) evaluation 
and assessment.
    For each of the categories the report is required to describe 
overall objectives for the year; specific accomplishments, impacts, 
outputs and outcomes; problems or challenges the project has 
encountered in making progress towards goals; and anticipated problems 
in performance during the following year.
    Use of the Information: NSF will use the information to continue 
funding of the EPSCoR RII projects, and to evaluate the progress of the 
program.
    The current RPPR is designed primarily to support reporting from 
individual investigators and nor for large centers/center-like programs 
involving hundreds of participants. The change would facilitate 
reporting better aligned with program goals and is expected to minimize 
reporting burden on the EPSCoR community and provide data as 
legislatively required for NSF EPSCoR.
    Estimate of Burden: 100 hours per project for 65 projects for a 
total of 6,500 hours.
    Respondents: Non-profit institutions; federal government.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One.

    Dated: November 2, 2016.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2016-26826 Filed 11-4-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P