[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 174 (Tuesday, September 8, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55499-55502]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-19689]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; 
National Science Foundation-Managed Honor Awards

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.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by November 9, 
2020 to be assured consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to the 
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: National Science Foundation-Managed Honor 
Awards.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0035.
    Expiration Date of Approval: December 30, 2020.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to renew an information 
collection for three years.
    Abstract: The National Science Foundation (NSF) administers several 
external awards, among them the President's National Medal of Science, 
the Alan T. Waterman Award, the National Science Board (NSB) Vannevar 
Bush Award, the NSB Public Service Award, the Presidential Awards for 
Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) 
program, and the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and 
Science Teaching (PAEMST) program.
    In 2003, to comply with E-government requirements, the nomination 
processes were converted to electronic submission through NSF's 
FastLane system or via other electronic systems as described in the 
individual nomination process. Individuals can now prepare nominations 
and references through www.fastlane.nsf.gov/honawards/ for all but the 
PAESMEM and PAEMST awards. First-time users must register on the 
Fastlane website using the link found in the upper right-hand corner 
above the ``Log In'' box before accessing all but the PAESMEM and 
PAEMST honorary award categories. For PAEMST nominations and 
applications are submitted on the PAEMST portal at www.paemst.org. For 
PAESMEM, nominations and applications are submitted on the PAESMEM 
portal at www.paesmem.net.
    Use of the Information: The Foundation has the following honorary 
award programs:

President's National Medal of Science

    Statutory authority for the President's National Medal of Science 
is contained in 42 U.S.C. 1881 (Pub. L. 86-209), which established the 
award and stated that ``(t)he President shall . . . award the Medal on 
the recommendations received from the National Academy of Sciences or 
on the basis of such other information and evidence as . . . 
appropriate.''

[[Page 55500]]

    Subsequently, Executive Order 10961 specified procedures for the 
Award by establishing a National Medal of Science Committee which would 
``receive recommendations made by any other nationally representative 
scientific or engineering organization.'' On the basis of these 
recommendations, the Committee was directed to select its candidates 
and to forward its recommendations to the President.
    In 1962, to comply with these directives, the Committee initiated a 
solicitation form letter to invite these nominations. In 1979, the 
Committee initiated a nomination form as an attachment to the 
solicitation letter. A slightly modified version of the nomination form 
was used in 1980.
    The Committee has established the following considerations for 
selection of candidates:
    a. The impact of an individual's body of work on the current state 
of his or her field of science or engineering;
    b. Whether the individual's achievements are of an unusually 
significant nature in relation to the potential effects on the 
development of thought in his or her field of science or engineering;
    c. Whether the nominee has demonstrated unusually distinguished 
service in the general advancement of science and/or engineering for 
the Nation, especially when accompanied by substantial contributions to 
the content of science;
    d. The recognition of the nominee by peers within his or her 
community, and whether s/he is recognized for substantial impact in 
fields in addition to his/her discipline;
    e. If the nominee has made contributions to innovation and 
industry;
    f. Whether the nominee has demonstrated sustained influence on 
education through publications, teaching activities, outreach, 
mentoring, etc., and;
    g. Whether the nominee's contributions have created significant 
positive impact for the Nation.
    In 2003, the Committee changed the active period of eligibility to 
three years, including the year of nomination. After that time, 
candidates must be renominated with a new nomination package for them 
to be considered by the Committee.
    Narratives are now restricted to three pages of text, as stipulated 
in the guidelines at: https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/honawards/medalHome.do.

Alan T. Waterman Award

    Congress established the Alan T. Waterman Award in August 1975 (42 
U.S.C. 1881a (Pub. L. 94-86) and authorized NSF to ``establish the Alan 
T. Waterman Award for research or advanced study in any of the sciences 
or engineering'' to mark the 25th anniversary of the National Science 
Foundation and to honor its first Director. The annual award recognizes 
an outstanding young researcher in any field of science or engineering 
supported by NSF. In addition to a medal, the awardee receives a grant 
of $1,000,000 over a five-year period for scientific research or 
advanced study in the mathematical, physical, medical, biological, 
engineering, social, or other sciences at the institution of the 
recipient's choice.
    The Alan T. Waterman Award Committee was established by NSF to 
comply with the directive contained in Pub. L. 94-86. The Committee 
solicits nominations from members of the National Academy of Sciences, 
National Academy of Engineering, scientific and technical 
organizations, and any other source, public or private, as appropriate.
    In 1976, the Committee initiated a form letter to solicit these 
nominations. In 1980, a nomination form was used which standardized the 
nomination procedures, allowed for more effective Committee review, and 
permitted better staff work in a short period of time. On the basis of 
its review, the Committee forwards its recommendation to the Director, 
NSF, and the National Science Board (NSB).
    Candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and must be 
40 years of age or younger or not more than ten years beyond receipt of 
the Ph.D. degree by December 31 of the year in which they are 
nominated. Candidates should have demonstrated exceptional individual 
achievements in scientific or engineering research of sufficient 
quality to place them at the forefront of their peers. Criteria include 
originality, innovation, and significant impact on the field.

Vannevar Bush Award

    The Vannevar Bush Award honors truly exceptional lifelong leaders 
in science and technology who have made substantial contributions to 
the welfare of the Nation through public service activities in science, 
technology, and public policy. The National Science Board established 
this award in 1980 in the memory of Vannevar Bush, who served as a 
science advisor to President Franklin Roosevelt during World War II, 
helped to establish Federal funding for science and engineering as a 
national priority during peacetime, and was behind the creation of the 
National Science Foundation.
    The Vannevar Bush Award recipient is selected annually by the 
National Science Board's Subcommittee on Honorary Awards (AWD), which 
is established to solicit nominations from scientific, engineering, and 
educational societies and institutions, in both the public and private 
sectors.
    Candidates for the Vannevar Bush Award should have demonstrated 
outstanding leadership and accomplishment in meeting at least two of 
the following selection criteria:
    1. Candidates must be U.S. citizens.
    2. Distinguished himself/herself through public service activities 
in science and technology.
    3. Pioneered the exploration, charting, and settlement of new 
frontiers in science, technology, education, and public service.
    4. Demonstrated leadership and creativity that have inspired others 
to distinguished careers in science and technology.
    5. Contributed to the welfare of the Nation and humankind through 
activities in science and technology.
    6. Demonstrated leadership and creativity that has helped mold the 
history of advancements in the Nation's science, technology, and 
education.
    Nomination Submissions must include:
    1. A current curriculum vita without publications (no more than 5 
pages).
    2. A narrative statement (no more than 8 pages) addressing the 
candidate's activities and contributions related to the selection 
criteria.
    3. A proposed award citation addressing the candidate's activities 
in and contributions to national public service activities in science, 
technology, and public policy.
    4. Contact information for award candidate and nominator (mailing 
address, email address, and phone number).
    5. Two reference letters (no more than 2 pages each) from 
individuals familiar with the candidate's accomplishments, and not 
affiliated with the candidate's home institution. Letters should be 
submitted by email to [email protected] on letterhead as a PDF file.
    Nominations remain active for three years, including the year of 
nomination. After that time, candidates must be renominated with a new 
nomination for them to be considered by the selection committee.

NSB Public Service Award

    The National Science Board established the Public Service Award in

[[Page 55501]]

November 1996 to honor individuals and groups that have made 
substantial contributions to increasing public understanding of science 
and engineering in the United States. These contributions may be in a 
wide variety of areas that have the potential of contributing to public 
understanding of and appreciation for science and engineering--
including mass media, education and/or training programs, and 
entertainment.
    Eligibility includes any individual or group (company, corporation 
or organization) that has increased the public understanding of science 
or engineering.
    Candidates for the NSB Public Service Award should have 
demonstrated outstanding leadership and accomplishment in meeting the 
following selection criteria:
    1. Increased the public's understanding of the processes of science 
and engineering through scientific discovery, innovation, and its 
communication to the public.
    2. Encouraged others to help raise the public understanding of 
science and technology.
    3. Promoted the engagement of scientists and engineers in public 
outreach and scientific literacy.
    4. Contributed to the development of broad science and engineering 
policy and its support.
    5. Influenced and encouraged the next generation of scientists and 
engineers.
    6. Achieved broad recognition outside of the candidate's area of 
specialization.
    7. Fostered awareness of science and technology among broad 
segments of the population.
    Note: Members of the U.S. Government are not eligible for this 
award.

Nomination Procedures

    Nominations for an individual must include:
    1. A current curriculum vita without publications (no more than 3 
pages).
    2. A narrative statement (no more than 5 pages) addressing the 
following:
    a. The candidate's public service activities in science and 
engineering, and
    b. the candidate's contributions to public understanding of science 
and engineering, as they relate to the selection criteria.
    3. Contact information of candidate and nominator (mailing address, 
email address, phone number).
    Nominations must be submitted by email to: [email protected].
    Nominations for a group must include:
    1. A narrative statement (no more than 5 pages) addressing the 
following:
    a. The group's activities, and how it accomplishes the selection 
criteria for the award,
    b. length of years of the program,
    c. number and type of individuals served by the group's activities; 
and
    d. data on the success of the program (if available).
    2. Contact information of candidate and nominator (mailing address, 
email address, phone number).
    3. Reference letters are optional, and up to 3 letters (no more 
than to 2 pages each) may be submitted on letterhead as a PDF file.
    Nominations must be submitted by email to: [email protected].
    Nominations remain active for three years, including the year of 
nomination. After that time, candidates must be re-nominated with a new 
nomination for them to be considered by the selection committee.

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and 
Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) Program

    In 1996, the White House, through the National Science and 
Technology Council (NSTC) and the Office of Science and Technology 
Policy (OSTP), established the Presidential Awards for Excellence in 
Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) program. The 
program, administered on behalf of the White House by the National 
Science Foundation, seeks to identify outstanding mentoring efforts or 
programs designed to enhance the participation of groups (women, 
minorities and persons with disabilities as well as groups from low 
socioeconomic regions) underrepresented in science, mathematics and 
engineering. The awardees will serve as exemplars to their colleagues 
and will be leaders in the national effort to more fully develop the 
Nation's human resources in science, mathematics and engineering. This 
award is managed at NSF by the Directorate for Education and Human 
Resources (EHR).
    The award will be made to U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents 
based on the following: (1) An individual who has demonstrated 
outstanding and sustained mentoring and effective guidance to a 
significant number of early career STEM professionals, students at the 
K-12, undergraduate, or graduate education level or (2) to an 
organization that, through its programming, has enabled a substantial 
number of students underrepresented in science, mathematics and 
engineering to successfully pursue and complete the relevant degree 
programs as well as mentoring of early career STEM professionals. 
Nominees must have served in a mentoring role for at least five years. 
Nominations are reviewed for impact, significance of the mentoring 
throrganizational awards must demonstrate rigorous evaluation and/or 
assessment during the five-year period of the mentoring activity.

Award Ceremony

    The awardees are hosted for two days in Washington, DC, for 
celebratory activities. Recipients of the PAESMEM award receive a 
monetary award in the amount of $10,000 from NSF and a commemorative 
Presidential certificate. If scheduling permits, the President meets 
with the mentors for a photo opportunity at the White House. The 
Director of OSTP and the Director of NSF present the awards to the 
mentors at an awards ceremony.

Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

    The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science 
Teaching (PAEMST) is the highest recognition that a kindergarten 
through 12th-grade mathematics or science teacher may receive for 
outstanding teaching in the United States. Enacted by Congress in 1983, 
this program authorizes the President to bestow 108 awards with two per 
state or jurisdiction, assuming there are qualified applicants. Awards 
are given in the science category, which includes science and 
engineering, and the mathematics category, which includes mathematics, 
technology and computer science. In even-numbered y]ears, nominations 
are accepted for elementary teachers (grades K-6); in odd-numbered 
years, secondary teachers (grades 7-12) are nominated. This award is 
managed at NSF by the Directorate for Education and Human Resources 
(EHR).

Nomination Criteria

    A teacher may be nominated by a principal, another teacher, 
students, members of the community, or the general public. Self-
nominations are allowed. Awardees must be either U.S. Citizens or U.S. 
Permanent Residents. A Nominee must meet the following criteria to 
apply:
     Teach science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/
or computer science as part of his or her contracted teaching 
responsibilities at the K-6 grade level in a public (including charter) 
or private school;
     hold at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited 
institution;

[[Page 55502]]

     be a full-time employee of his or her school or school 
district as determined by state and district policies, with 
responsibilities for teaching students no less than 50% of the school's 
allotted instructional time;
     have at least five years of full-time employment as a K-12 
teacher prior to the academic school year in which they apply, with 
science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science 
teaching duties each of the past five years;
     teach in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, 
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Department of Defense Education 
Activity schools, or the U.S. Territories as a group (American Samoa, 
Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and U.S. Virgin 
Islands);
     be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; and
     not have received the PAEMST award at the national level 
in any prior competition or category.

Application Process

     Applicants complete a narrative on five dimensions of 
outstanding teaching (content knowledge, pedagogy, assessment, 
leadership and professional development), submit a video of one class, 
supplemental materials, and references cited. Three letters of 
reference including one from a school official are required, along with 
a resume or biographical sketch.
     The applicant completes an application and submits for 
state review during the academic year. The nomination period runs 
through the application cycle up to one month before the application 
deadline.

Review of Nominations

     State coordinators convene state selection committees of 
prominent mathematicians, scientists, mathematics and science 
educators, and past awardees to select up to three mathematics category 
and three science category finalists for recognition at the state level 
and for submission to NSF. To ensure consistency, state selection 
committees review their applications using the same criteria and 
scoring information that was approved by OSTP. Following the state 
review applicants are given two weeks to complete an addendum to the 
state application that addresses state reviewer comments.
     NSF (EHR) convenes a National Selection Committee of 
prominent mathematicians, scientists, mathematics and science 
educators, and past awardees that review the application packets of the 
state finalists including the addendum and make recommendations to NSF. 
NSF reviews the state selection committee recommendations and 
recommends to OSTP, when possible, one awardee in the mathematics 
category and one in the science category for all eligible states/
jurisdictions. Alternatively, NSF may recommend two awardees from a 
discipline in a jurisdiction, when warranted.

Award Ceremony

    The awardees are hosted for 3-4 days in Washington, DC, for a 
variety of professional development sessions and celebratory 
activities. Each awardee receives a citation signed by the President 
and $10,000 from NSF. If scheduling permits, the President meets the 
teachers for a photo opportunity at the White House. The Director of 
OSTP and the Director of NSF present the citations to the teachers at 
an awards ceremony. Awardees also have the opportunity to meet their 
congressional representatives and education representatives from other 
federal agencies.
    Estimate of Burden: These are annual award programs with 
application deadlines varying according to the program. Public burden 
also may vary according to program; however, across all the programs, 
it is estimated that each submission will average 19 hours per 
respondent. If the nominator is thoroughly familiar with the 
disciplinary background of the nominee, time spent to complete the 
nomination may be considerably reduced.
    Respondents: Individuals, businesses or other for-profit 
organizations, universities, non-profit institutions, and Federal and 
State governments.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Award: 1800 responses, broken 
down as follows: For the President's National Medal of Science, 80; for 
the Alan T. Waterman Award, 70; for the Vannevar Bush Award, 20; for 
the Public Service Award, 30; for the PAESMEM, 200; and 1400 for the 
PAEMST.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 41,350 hours, broken 
down by 1,600 hours for the President's National Medal of Science (20 
hours per 80 respondents); 1,400 hours for the Alan T. Waterman Award 
(20 hours per 70 respondents); 300 hours for the Vannevar Bush Award 
(15 hours per 20 respondents); 450 hours for the Public Service Award 
(15 hours per 30 respondents); 4,000 hours for the PAESMEM (20 hours 
per 200 respondents); and 33,600 hours for the PAEMST (24 hours per 
1400 respondents).
    Frequency of Responses: Annually.
    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; (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.

    Dated: September 1, 2020.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2020-19689 Filed 9-4-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P