[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