[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 182 (Wednesday, September 19, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47371-47372]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-20300]
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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 a new, one time data collection. The primary purpose of this
data collection is to provide critical evidence for the Evaluation of
the Centers for Chemical Innovation (CCI) Program. The National Science
Foundation (NSF) has submitted this information collection requirement
to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995. This is the second notice for public comment; the first was
published in the Federal Register at 83 FR 23301, and no comments were
received. NSF is forwarding the proposed new information collection
submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance
simultaneously with the publication of this second notice. The full
submission may be found at: http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
DATES: Comments regarding these information collections are best
assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this
notification.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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
Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science
Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314, 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).
Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling 703-292-
7556.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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.
Comments regarding (a) whether the collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 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 the points
of contact in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
Title of Collection: Evaluation of the Centers for Chemical
Innovation (CCI) Program Surveys and Interviews.
OMB Number: 3145-NEW.
Type of Request: Intent to seek approval for a new information
collection.
Proposed Project: The National Science Foundation established the
Centers for Chemical Innovation (CCI) Program (formerly known as
Chemical Bonding Centers) in 2004 to support research centers focused
on major, long-term fundamental chemical research challenges. The goals
that NSF set forth for the CCI Program include that Centers will (a)
produce transformative research, leading to innovation, and attract
broad scientific and public interest; (b) be agile structures that can
respond rapidly to emerging opportunities through enhanced
collaborations; and (c) integrate research, innovation, education,
broaden participation, and informal science communication.
The NSF Division of Chemistry has undertaken a comprehensive
assessment of the Centers for Chemical Innovation
[[Page 47372]]
(CCI) program--with specific focus on its investment in Phase II
Centers--toward achieving its stated goals. As this is the first
assessment of the CCI program, new data collection is necessary to
provide critical evidence for this assessment.
The new data collection consists of the following four new data
collection activities:
1. CCI Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-Investigator (Co-I)
Survey. Administration of a survey to CCI Phase I and Phase II PIs and
Co-Investigators is necessary to understand the role of the Center in
research, collaboration, and broader impacts; to assess grantee
satisfaction with the center structure, management, and a two-phase
funding model; to document outcomes; and to describe the challenges
encountered.
2. CCI Phase II Principal Investigator (PI) and Co-Investigator
(Co-I) Interview. Interviews with CCI Phase II PIs and a sample of
Phase II Co-Investigators are necessary to further explore the data
that emerge from the survey of CCI Phase II Center PIs and Co-
Investigators.
3. CCI Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Researcher Survey.
Administration of a survey to CCI Phase I and Phase II graduate
students and postdoctoral researchers are needed to understand the role
of CCI in education, training, and career development.
4. CCI Center Industry Partners Interview. Interviews with CCI
Center industry partners are necessary to explore innovation-related
knowledge exchange with Centers, perspectives on CCI contributions to
industry and other benefits and challenges of partnership.
Use of the Information: The NSF Division of Chemistry will use the
collection of information to assess the CCI Program's progress in
achieving its goals, to communicate the outcomes of the program, and to
inform improvements in CCI Program and Center-level design and
operation. Across the NSF, the evaluation will also inform planning
decisions about the center concept and funding mechanisms.
Additionally, the evaluation findings will be used to communicate the
outcomes of the CCI program to the wider chemistry community.
Burden on the Public: It has been estimated that respondents will
expend an average of 20 minutes to complete the CCI Principal
Investigators (PI) and Co-Investigator (Co-I) Survey; 60 minutes on
average to complete the CCI Phase II Center PIs and Co-Investigators
Interview; 15 minutes on average to complete the CCI Graduate Student
and Postdoctoral Researcher Survey; and 20 minutes to complete the CCI
Center Industry Partners Interview. The Foundation has based its
reporting burden on the review of actual times required for each
information collection during pilot tests under Fast Track Clearance
3145-0215.
The total burden for new data collection for this ICR should not
exceed 317 hours. A sample of 211 individuals will complete the 20-
minute CCI Principal Investigators (PI) and Co-Investigator (Co-I)
Survey (70 hours). A sample of 27 individuals will complete the 60-
minute CCI Phase II Center PIs and Co-Investigators Interview (27
hours). A sample of 859 individuals will complete the 15-minute CCI
Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Researcher Survey (215 hours). A
sample of 15 individuals will complete the 20-minute CCI Center
Industry Partners Interview (5 hours). Only 27 CCI Phase II Center PIs
and Co-Investigators will receive requests to complete both a survey
and an interview.
Dated: September 13, 2018.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2018-20300 Filed 9-18-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P