[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 115 (Monday, June 15, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36239-36240]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-12865]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request: NSF 
INCLUDES National Network Survey

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
establish 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 August 14, 
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: NSF INCLUDES National Network Survey.
    OMB Number: 3145-NEW.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to establish an 
information collection.
    Abstract: In 2016, the National Science Foundation (NSF) unveiled a 
set of ``Big Ideas,'' 10 bold, long-term research and process ideas 
that identify areas for future investment at the frontiers of science 
and engineering (see https://www.nsf.gov/news/special_reports/big_ideas/index.jsp). The Big Ideas represent unique opportunities to 
position our Nation at the cutting edge of global science and 
engineering leadership by bringing together diverse disciplinary 
perspectives to support convergence research.
    The NSF INCLUDES Big Idea is a comprehensive national initiative to 
enhance U.S. leadership in science, technology, engineering, and 
mathematics (STEM) discoveries and innovations focused on NSF's 
commitment to diversity, inclusion, and broadening participation in 
these fields. The vision of NSF INCLUDES is to catalyze the STEM 
enterprise to work collaboratively for inclusive change, resulting in a 
STEM workforce that reflects the population of the Nation.
    More specifically, NSF INCLUDES seeks to improve collaborative 
efforts aimed at enhancing the preparation, increasing the 
participation, and ensuring the contributions of individuals from 
groups that have been historically underrepresented and underserved in 
the STEM enterprise such as African Americans, Alaska Natives, 
Hispanics, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, Native Pacific 
Islanders, persons with disabilities, persons from economically 
disadvantaged backgrounds, and women and girls. Significant advancement 
in the inclusion of underrepresented groups in STEM will result in a 
new generation of STEM talent and leadership to secure our nation's 
future and long-term economic competitiveness.
    The NSF INCLUDES Big Idea aligns with the NSF Strategic Plan, 
directly supporting the strategic objectives to: Advance knowledge 
through investments in ideas, people, and infrastructure (Strategic 
Objective 1.1); support research and promote partnerships to accelerate 
innovation and to provide new capabilities to meet pressing societal 
needs (Strategic Objective 2.1); foster the growth of a more capable 
and diverse research workforce and advance the scientific and 
innovation skills of the Nation (Strategic Objective 2.2) ; and 
attract, retain, and empower a talented and diverse workforce 
(Strategic Objective 3.1). The work of NSF INCLUDES contributes to the 
successful performance of NSF as a Federal agency.
    The NSF INCLUDES initiative is supported by the NSF INCLUDES 
Coordination Hub (www.includesnetwork.org), an NSF-supported project 
that provides a framework for communication and networking, network 
assistance and reinforcement, and visibility and expansion for the NSF 
INCLUDES National Network. The Hub leads and

[[Page 36240]]

supports the National Network, working to (1) facilitate the sharing of 
promising practices and data for broadening participation in STEM, (2) 
contribute to the knowledge base on broadening participation in STEM 
through research, and (3) establish a framework for communications and 
networking among partners, as well as across the National Network. The 
NSF INCLUDES National Network is composed of over 1200 members that 
represent:
     NSF INCLUDES-funded projects,
     Other broadening participation projects and research 
efforts, including projects funded by other NSF programs (e.g., Louis 
Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation, Engineering Research 
Centers, Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate, 
ADVANCE: Organizational Change for Gender Equity in STEM Academic 
Professions, Broadening Participation in Computing, Improving 
Undergraduate STEM Education),
     Federal Coordination in STEM (FC-STEM) agencies, and
     Organizations that support the development of talent from 
all sectors of society to build an inclusive STEM workforce.
    NSF is requesting OMB approval for the NSF INCLUDES Coordination 
Hub to collect information from members of the NSF INCLUDES National 
Network. The NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub seeks to collect data from 
Network members to: (1) Inform Hub activities (e.g., to identify 
support needs in the coming year; to inform shared measures work and 
network support and expansion goals); (2) assess development of the NSF 
INCLUDES National Network; and (3) track progress against the Hub's 
theory of action for building collaborative infrastructure at the 
Network level. This information will be shared with Network members.
    Information collected will include respondents' names, their 
affiliated organizations, email addresses, and home states. This 
personally identifiable information (PII) is collected primarily to 
categorize responses based on respondents' roles in the NSF INCLUDES 
National Network. PII will be accessed only by the Coordination Hub. 
Any public reporting of data will be in aggregate form, and any 
personal identifiers will be removed.
    Use of the Information: The information collected is primarily for 
the use of the NSF INCLUDES Coordination Hub to understand the utility 
of the network in supporting their project success, and for informing 
design decisions the Coordination Hub will make regarding future 
programming and support provided to network members.
    Estimate burden on the public: Estimated at 450 hours, per year, 
for the duration of the Coordination Hub's cooperative agreement with 
NSF. It is beneficial for NSF and the Coordination Hub to have access 
to this information annually in order to track progress toward the NSF 
INCLUDES goals of supporting stakeholders in identifying shared goals 
and objectives and supporting partnerships and networks that help to 
foster the spread and adaptation of proven effective practices.
    Respondents: All members of the NSF INCLUDES National Network will 
be invited to respond to the survey. The NSF INCLUDES National Network 
is comprised of individuals who are interested in or working directly 
to broaden participation in STEM. Some of these individuals are NSF 
INCLUDES grantees; others who have received NSF awards, or pursue 
broadening participation in STEM with support from other sources, 
including grants from federal, state, philanthropic, or business 
entities. Some are themselves representatives of these various types of 
funders or businesses, such as program officers at NSF, other Federal 
agencies, and private foundations.
    Estimated number of respondents: 900 (representing a 75% response 
rate).
    Average Time per Reporting: The online survey is comprised 
primarily of closed-ended questions and is designed to be completed by 
respondents in under 30 minutes.
    Frequency: Once per year for the duration of the Coordination Hub's 
cooperative agreement with NSF
    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 respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology.
    Please submit one copy of your comments by only one method. All 
submissions received must include the agency name and collection name 
identified above for this information collection. Commenters are 
strongly encouraged to transmit their comments electronically via 
email. Comments, including any personal information provided become a 
matter of public record. They will be summarized and/or included in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information 
collection request.

    Dated: June 10, 2020.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2020-12865 Filed 6-12-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P