[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 209 (Monday, October 29, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 54311]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-23552]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

October 24, 2018.

    The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following 
information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments 
are requested regarding (1) 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; (2) the 
accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) 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.
    Comments regarding this information collection received by November 
28, 2018 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to: 
Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New Executive Office 
Building, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20502. Commenters are 
encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: 
[email protected] or fax (202) 395-5806 and to Departmental 
Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-
7602. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720-
8958.
    An agency 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.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

    Title: NIFA Grant Application.
    OMB Control Number: 0524-0039.
    Summary of Collection: The United States Department of Agriculture 
(USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) sponsors 
ongoing agricultural research, education, and extension programs under 
which competitive, formula, and special awards of a high-priority 
nature are made. These programs are authorized pursuant to the 
authorities contained in the National Agricultural Research, Extension, 
and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as amended (7 U.S.C. 3101), the Smith-
Lever Act, and other legislative authorities. Before awards can be 
issued, certain information is required from applicants as part of an 
overall application. In addition to a project summary, proposal 
narrative, vitae of key personnel, and other pertinent technical 
aspects of the proposed project, supporting documentation of an 
administrative and budgetary nature also must be provided. This 
information is obtained via applications through the use of federal-
wide standard grant application forms and NIFA specific application 
forms. Because competitive applications are submitted, many of which 
necessitate review by peer panelists, it is particularly important that 
applicants provide the information in a standardized fashion to ensure 
equitable treatment for all.
    Need and Use of the Information: The fundamental purpose of the 
information requested is to provide information that is not obtained in 
the federal-wide application forms but is necessary for the NIFA 
proposal and award process. In addition to federal-wide standard grant 
application forms, NIFA will use the following program and agency 
specific components as part of its application package: Letter of 
Intent Form, Supplemental Information Form; Application Type Form; Form 
NIFA-2008, Assurance Statement(s); and Form NIFA-2010, Fellowships/
Scholarships Entry/Annual Update/Exit Form.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or household; Federal 
Government; State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 15,153.
    Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Weekly; Monthly; 
Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 18,354.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

    Title: NIFA Proposal Review Process.
    OMB Control Number: 0524-0041.
    Summary of Collection: The United States Department of Agriculture 
(USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), administers 
competitive, peer-reviewed research, education and extension programs. 
The reviews are undertaken to ensure that projects supported by NIFA 
are of a high-quality and are consistent with the goals and 
requirements of the funding program. These programs are authorized 
pursuant to the authorities contained in the National Agricultural 
Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as amended (7 
U.S.C. 3101), the Smith-Lever Act, and other legislative authorities.
    Need and Use of the Information: The collected information from the 
evaluations is used to support NIFA grant programs. NIFA uses the 
results of each proposal to determine whether a proposal should be 
declined or recommended for award. In order to obtain this information, 
an electronic questionnaire is used to collect information about 
potential panel and ad-hoc reviewers. If this information is not 
collected, it would be difficult for a review panel and NIFA staff to 
determine which projects warrant funding, or identify appropriate 
qualified reviewers. In addition, Federal grants staff and auditors 
could not assess the quality or integrity of the review, and the writer 
of the application would not benefit from any feedback on why the 
application was funded or not.
    Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Federal 
Government; State, Local or Tribal Government.
    Number of Respondents: 50,000.
    Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Weekly; Annually.
    Total Burden Hours: 102,400.

Ruth Brown,
Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018-23552 Filed 10-26-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-09-P