[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