[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