[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 240 (Friday, December 14, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64372-64373]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-27095]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Submission for OMB review; comment request.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted the 
following 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 on September 17, 2018, and no comments were received. NSF is 
forwarding the proposed reinstatement 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: Grantee Reporting Requirements for Science and 
Technology Centers (STC): Integrative Partnerships.
    OMB Number: 3145-0194.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to extend an information 
collection.

Abstract

Proposed Project

    The Science and Technology Centers (STC): Integrative Partnerships 
Program supports innovation in the integrative conduct of research, 
education and knowledge transfer. Science and Technology Centers build 
intellectual and physical infrastructure within and between 
disciplines, weaving together knowledge creation, knowledge 
integration, and knowledge transfer. STCs conduct world-class research 
through partnerships of academic institutions, national laboratories, 
industrial organizations, and/or other public/private entities. New 
knowledge thus created is meaningfully linked to society.
    STCs enable and foster excellent education, integrate research and 
education, and create bonds between learning and inquiry so that 
discovery and creativity more fully support the learning process. STCs 
capitalize on diversity through participation in center activities and 
demonstrate leadership in the involvement of groups underrepresented in 
science and engineering.
    Centers selected will be required to submit annual reports on 
progress and

[[Page 64373]]

plans, which will be used as a basis for performance review and 
determining the level of continued funding. To support this review and 
the management of a Center, STCs will be required to develop a set of 
management and performance indicators for submission annually to NSF 
via an NSF evaluation technical assistance contractor. These indicators 
are both quantitative and descriptive and may include, for example, the 
characteristics of center personnel and students; sources of financial 
support and in-kind support; expenditures by operational component; 
characteristics of industrial and/or other sector participation; 
research activities; education activities; knowledge transfer 
activities; patents, licenses; publications; degrees granted to 
students involved in Center activities; descriptions of significant 
advances and other outcomes of the STC effort. Part of this reporting 
will take the form of a database which will be owned by the institution 
and eventually made available to an evaluation contractor. This 
database will capture specific information to demonstrate progress 
towards achieving the goals of the program. Such reporting requirements 
will be included in the cooperative agreement which is binding between 
the academic institution and the NSF.
    Each Center's annual report will address the following categories 
of activities: (1) Research, (2) education, (3) knowledge transfer, (4) 
partnerships, (5) diversity, (6) management and (7) budget issues.
    For each of the categories the report will describe overall 
objectives for the year, problems the Center has encountered in making 
progress towards goals, anticipated problems in the following year, and 
specific outputs and outcomes.
    Use of the Information: NSF will use the information to continue 
funding of the Centers, and to evaluate the progress of the program.
    Estimate of Burden: 100 hours per center for 12 centers for a total 
of 1,200 hours.
    Respondents: Non-profit institutions; federal government.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One from each of the 
twelve centers.

    Dated: December 10, 2018.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2018-27095 Filed 12-13-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P