[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 122 (Tuesday, June 25, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29883-29884]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-13423]
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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request.
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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, and no comments were received. NSF is forwarding the proposed
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 this information collection are best assured
of having their full effect if received by July 25, 2019.
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 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: Biological Sciences Proposal Classification
Forms.
OMB Number: 3145-0203.
Overview of this Information Collection: Five organizational units
within the Directorate of Biological Sciences of the National Science
Foundation will use the Biological Sciences Proposal Classification
Form. They are the Division of Biological Infrastructure (DBI), the
Division of Environmental Biology (DEB), the Division of Molecular and
Cellular Biosciences (MCB), the Division of Integrative Organismal
Systems IOS) and Emerging Frontiers (EF). All scientists submitting
proposals to these units will be asked to complete an electronic
version of the Proposal Classification Form. The form consists of brief
questions about the substance of the research and the investigator's
previous federal support. Each division will have a slightly different
version of the form. In this way, submitters will only confront
response choices that are relevant to their discipline.
Use of the Information: The information gathered with the
Biological Sciences Proposal Classification Form serves two main
purposes. The first is facilitation of the proposal review process.
Since peer review is a key component of NSF's grant-making process, it
is imperative that proposals are reviewed by scientists with
appropriate expertise. The information collected with the Proposal
Classification Form helps ensure that the proposals are evaluated by
specialists who are well versed in appropriate subject matter. This
helps maintain a fair and equitable review process.
The second use of the information is program evaluation. The
Directorate is committed to investing in a range of substantive areas.
With data from this
[[Page 29884]]
collection, the Directorate can calculate submission rates and funding
rates in specific areas of research. Similarly, the information can be
used to identify emerging areas of research, evaluate changing
infrastructure needs in the research community, and track the amount of
international research. As the National Science Foundation is committed
to funding cutting-edge science, these factors all have implications
for program management.
The Directorate of Biological Sciences has a continuing commitment
to monitor its information collection in order to preserve its
applicability and necessity. Through periodic updates and revisions,
the Directorate ensures that only useful, non-redundant information is
collected. These efforts will reduce excessive reporting burdens.
Burden on the Public: The Directorate estimates that an average of
five minutes is expended for each proposal submitted. An estimated
6,500 responses are expected during the course of one year for a total
of 542 public burden hours annually.
Expected Respondents: Individuals.
Estimated Number of Responses: 6,500.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,500.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 542 hours.
Frequency of Responses: On occasion.
Dated: June 20, 2019.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2019-13423 Filed 6-24-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P