[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 236 (Monday, December 9, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67297-67298]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-26443]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; 
Awardee Reporting Requirements for the Established Program To Stimulate 
Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Research Infrastructure Improvement 
Programs

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.
    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.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by February 7, 
2020 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: Awardee Reporting Requirements for the 
Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Research 
Infrastructure Improvement Programs.
    OMB Number: 3145-0243.
    Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 2020.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to renew an information 
collection.
    Proposed Project: The mission of the National Science Foundation 
(NSF) is to promote the progress of science; to advance the national 
health, welfare, and prosperity; and to secure the national defense, 
while avoiding the undue concentration of research and education. In 
1977, in response to congressional concern that NSF funding was overly 
concentrated geographically, a National Science Board task force 
analyzed the geographic distribution of NSF funds, which resulted in 
the creation of an NSF Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive 
Research (EPSCoR). The American Innovation and Competitiveness Act 
(Pub. L. 114-329, Sec 103 D) effectively changed the program's name 
from ``Experimental'' to ``Established'' in FY 2016. Congress specified 
two objectives for the EPSCoR program in the National Science 
Foundation Authorization Act of 1988: (1) To assist States that 
historically have received relatively little Federal research and 
development funding; and (2) to assist States that have demonstrated a 
commitment to develop their research bases and improve science and 
engineering

[[Page 67298]]

research and education programs at their universities and colleges.
    The EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) Investment 
Strategies advance science and engineering capabilities in EPSCoR 
jurisdictions for discovery, innovation and overall knowledge-based 
prosperity. These projects build human, cyber, and physical 
infrastructure in EPSCoR jurisdictions, stimulating sustainable 
improvements in their Research & Development (R&D) capacity and 
competitiveness.
    EPSCoR projects are unique in their scope and complexity; in their 
integration of individual researchers, institutions, and organizations; 
and in their role in developing the diverse, well-prepared, STEM-
enabled workforce necessary to sustain research competitiveness and 
catalyze economic development. In addition, these projects are 
generally inter- or multi-disciplinary and involve effective 
jurisdictional and regional collaborations among academic, government, 
and private sector stakeholders that advance scientific research, 
promote innovation, and provide multiple societal benefits. They also 
broaden participation in science and engineering by engaging multiple 
institutions and organizations at all levels of research and education, 
and people within and among EPSCoR jurisdictions. These projects 
usually involve between 100 to 300 participants per year over the 
performance period, and the projects reach thousands more through their 
extensive STEM outreach activities. The American Innovation and 
Competitiveness Act of 2016, Section 103 (Pub. L. 114-329) requires NSF 
EPSCoR to submit annual reports to both Congress and OSTP that contain 
data detailing project progress and success (new investigators, 
broadening participation, dissemination of results, new workshops, 
outreach activities, proposals submitted and awarded, mentoring 
activities among faculty members, collaborations, researcher 
participating on the review process, etc.).
    EPSCoR RII Track-1 and Track-2 projects 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 EPSCoR RII projects, teams 
are required to develop a set of performance indicators for building 
sustainable infrastructure and capacity in terms of a strategic plan 
for the project; measure performance and revise strategies as 
appropriate; report on the progress relative to the project's goals and 
milestones; and describe changes in strategies, if any, for submission 
annually to NSF. These indicators are both quantitative and descriptive 
and may include, for example, the characteristics of project personnel 
and students; aggregate demographics of participants; sources of 
financial support and in-kind support; expenditures by operational 
component; characteristics of industrial and/or other sector 
participation; research activities; workforce development activities; 
external engagement activities; patents and patent licenses; 
publications; degrees granted to students involved in project 
activities; and descriptions of significant advances and other outcomes 
of the EPSCoR project's efforts. Part of this reporting takes the form 
of several spreadsheets to capture specific information to demonstrate 
progress towards achieving the goals of the program. Such reporting 
requirements are included in the cooperative agreement which is binding 
between the awardee institution and NSF.
    Each project's annual report addresses the following categories of 
activities: (1) Research, (2) education, (3) workforce development, (4) 
partnerships and collaborations, (5) communication and dissemination, 
(6) sustainability, (7) diversity, (8) management, and (9) evaluation 
and assessment.
    For each of the categories the report is required to describe 
overall objectives for the year; specific accomplishments, impacts, 
outputs and outcomes; problems or challenges the project has 
encountered in making progress towards goals; and anticipated problems 
in performance during the following year.
    Use of the Information: NSF will use the information to continue 
its oversight of funded EPSCoR RII projects, and to evaluate the 
progress of the program.
    The change would facilitate reporting better aligned with program 
goals and provides data as legislatively required for NSF EPSCoR.
    Estimate of Burden: 100 hours per project for twenty-eight projects 
for a total of 2,800 hours.
    Respondents: Non-profit institutions; federal government.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One.

    Dated: December 4, 2019.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2019-26443 Filed 12-6-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P