[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 113 (Tuesday, June 12, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27354-27355]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-12622]


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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 requirements of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 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.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by August 13, 
2018 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Ms. Suzanne H. Plimpton, 
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower 
Ave., Suite W18253, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    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.
    Title of Collection: 2019 National Survey of College Graduates.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0141.
    Expiration Date of Approval: February 29, 2020
    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 2019 NSCG sample will be 
selected from the 2017 American Community Survey (ACS) and the 2017 
NSCG. By selecting sample from these two sources, the 2019 NSCG will 
provide coverage of the college graduate population residing in the 
United States. The purpose of the NSCG, a 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 the agency responsible for the ACS, will 
serve as the NSCG data collection contractor for NSF. The survey data 
collection will begin in February 2019 using web and mail 
questionnaires.

[[Page 27355]]

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 statutes.
    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 130,000 
individuals will be contacted in 2019. 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 52,000 hours (=130,000 individuals x 80% response x 30 minutes) 
during the 2019 survey cycle.

    Dated: June 7, 2018.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2018-12622 Filed 6-11-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P