[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 240 (Monday, December 14, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80823-80824]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-27448]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; 
National Science Foundation Proposal/Award Information--NSF Proposal 
and Award Policies and Procedures Guide

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 February 12, 
2021 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 Proposal/Award Information--NSF Proposal and Award Policies 
and Procedures Guide.''
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0058.
    Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 2023.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to extend with revision an 
information collection for three years. The primary purpose of this 
revision is

[[Page 80824]]

to update the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide 
(PAPPG) to incorporate a number of policy-related changes and 
clarifications of language. The draft NSF PAPPG is now available for 
your review and consideration on the NSF website at http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/. To facilitate review, revised text has been 
highlighted in yellow throughout the document to identify significant 
changes. A brief comment explanation of the change also is provided.
    Proposed Project: The National Science Foundation Act of 1950 
(Public Law 81-507) sets forth NSF's mission and purpose:
    ``To promote the progress of science; to advance the national 
health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense. . . 
.''
    The Act authorized and directed NSF to initiate and support:
     Basic scientific research and research fundamental to the 
engineering process;
     Programs to strengthen scientific and engineering research 
potential;
     Science and engineering education programs at all levels 
and in all the various fields of science and engineering;
     Programs that provide a source of information for policy 
formulation; and
     Other activities to promote these ends.
    NSF's core purpose resonates clearly in everything it does: 
promoting achievement and progress in science and engineering and 
enhancing the potential for research and education to contribute to the 
Nation. While NSF's vision of the future and the mechanisms it uses to 
carry out its charges have evolved significantly over the last six 
decades, its ultimate mission remains the same.
    Use of the Information: The regular submission of proposals to the 
Foundation is part of the collection of information and is used to help 
NSF fulfill this responsibility by initiating and supporting merit-
selected research and education projects in all the scientific and 
engineering disciplines. NSF receives more than 50,000 proposals 
annually for new projects, and makes approximately 11,000 new awards.
    Support is made primarily through grants, contracts, and other 
agreements awarded to approximately 2,000 colleges, universities, 
academic consortia, nonprofit institutions, and small businesses. The 
awards are based mainly on merit evaluations of proposals submitted to 
the Foundation.
    The Foundation has a continuing commitment to monitor the 
operations of its information collection to identify and address 
excessive reporting burdens as well as to identify any real or apparent 
inequities based on gender, race, ethnicity, or disability of the 
proposed principal investigator(s)/project director(s) or the co-
principal investigator(s)/co-project director(s).
    Burden on the Public: The Foundation estimates that an average of 
120 hours is expended for each proposal submitted. An estimated 50,000 
proposals are expected during the course of one year for a total of 
6,000,000 public burden hours 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; 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.

    Dated: December 9, 2020.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2020-27448 Filed 12-11-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P