[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 243 (Monday, December 19, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 91959]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-30434]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Intent to Seek Approval to Establish 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. 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 February 17, 
2017 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.
    FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR COMMENTS: Contact 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 between 8 a.m. and 8 
p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday. You also may obtain a copy 
of the data collection instrument and instructions from Ms. Plimpton.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Comments: 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. 
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.
    Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting Requirements for National 
User Facilities managed by the NSF Division of Materials Research.
    OMB Number: 3145-0234.
    Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2017.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to renew an information 
collection.
    Overview of this Information Collection: The NSF Division of 
Materials Research (DMR) supports a number of National User Facilities 
that provide specialized capabilities and instrumentation to the 
scientific community on a competitive proposal basis. In addition to 
the user program, these facilities support in-house research, 
development of new instrumentation or techniques, education, and 
knowledge transfer.
    The facilities integrate research and education for students and 
post-docs involved in experiments, and support extensive K-12 outreach 
to foster an interest in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics 
(STEM) and STEM careers. Facilities capitalize on diversity through 
participation in center activities and demonstrate leadership in the 
involvement of groups underrepresented in science and engineering.
    National User Facilities 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. User facilities 
will be required to develop a set of management and performance 
indicators for submission annually to NSF via the Research Performance 
Project Reporting (RPPR) module in Research.gov. These indicators are 
both quantitative and descriptive and may include, for example, lists 
of successful proposal and users, the characteristics of facility 
personnel and students; sources of financial support and in-kind 
support; expenditures by operational component; research activities; 
education activities; knowledge transfer activities; patents, licenses; 
publications; degrees granted to students supported through the 
facility or users of the facility; descriptions of significant advances 
and other outcomes of this investment. Such reporting requirements are 
included in the cooperative agreement which is binding between the 
academic institution and the NSF.
    Each facility's annual report will address the following categories 
of activities: (1) Research, (2) education and training, (3) knowledge 
transfer, (4) partnerships, (5) diversity, (6) management, and (7) 
budget issues.
    For each of the categories the report will describe overall 
objectives and metrics for the reporting period, challenges or problems 
the facility has encountered in making progress towards goals, 
anticipated problems in the following year, and specific outputs and 
outcomes.
    Facilities are required to file a final report through the RPPR. 
Final reports contain similar information and metrics as annual 
reports, but are retrospective and focus on the period that was not 
addressed in previous annual reports.
    Use of the Information: NSF will use the information to continue 
funding of the DMR National User Facilities, and to evaluate the 
progress of the program.
    Estimate of Burden: 200 hours per facility for three National User 
Facilities for a total of 600 hours.
    Respondents: Non-profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One from each of the DMR 
user facilities.

    Dated: December 14, 2016.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2016-30434 Filed 12-16-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P