[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 42 (Monday, March 4, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7405-7406]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-03750]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; 
Grantee Reporting Requirements for Materials Research Science and 
Engineering Centers (MRSECs)

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
renew this collection. 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 Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) clearance of this collection for no longer 
than 3 years.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by May 3, 2019 
to be assured consideration. Comments received after that date will be 
considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to address below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance 
Officer, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite 
W18200, 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, which is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 
days a week, 365 days a year (including Federal holidays).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting Requirements for Materials 
Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSECs).
    OMB Number: 3145-0230.
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 2019.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to renew an information 
collection.

Overview of This Information Collection

    The Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSECs) 
Program supports innovation in interdisciplinary research, education, 
and knowledge transfer. MRSECs build intellectual and physical 
infrastructure within and between disciplines, weaving together 
knowledge creation, knowledge integration, and knowledge transfer. 
MRSECs 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.
    MRSECs 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. 
MRSECs capitalize on diversity through participation in center 
activities and demonstrate leadership in the involvement of groups 
underrepresented in science and engineering.
    MRSECs are required to submit annual reports on progress and plans, 
which are used as a basis for performance review and determining the 
level of continued funding. To support this review and the management 
of a Center, MRSECs will be required to develop a set of

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management and performance indicators for submission annually to NSF 
via the Research Performance Project Reporting module in Research.gov 
and an external technical assistance contractor that collects 
programmatic data electronically. 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 MRSEC effort. Such reporting 
requirements are included in the cooperative agreement that is binding 
between the academic institution and NSF.
    Each Center's annual report will address the following categories 
of activities: (1) Research, (2) education, (3) knowledge transfer, (4) 
partnerships, (5) shared experimental facilities, (6) diversity, (7) 
management, and (8) 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.
    MRSECs are required to file a final report through the RPPR and 
external technical assistance contractor. Final reports contain similar 
information and metrics as annual reports, effectively they constitute 
the last annual report; the Program Officer maintains a cumulative 
database with all relevant achievements and metrics.
    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: 80 hours per center for 20 centers for a total 
of 1,600 hours.
    Respondents: Non-profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One from each of the 20 
MRSECs.
    Comments: Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the Agency, including whether the information shall 
have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of 
the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information on 
respondents, 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, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology.

    Dated: February 26, 2019.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2019-03750 Filed 3-1-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P