[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 41 (Thursday, March 4, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12714-12715]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-04460]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; 
Grantee Reporting Requirements for the Graduate Research Fellowship 
Program

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
reinstate 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 May 3, 2021 
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 
W18253, 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:
    Comments: Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the NCSES, including whether the information will have 
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the NCSES's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, 
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 collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology.
    Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting Requirements for the 
Graduate Research Fellowship Program.
    OMB Number: 3145-0223.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to reinstate an 
information collection.

Abstract

    Proposed Project: The purpose of the NSF Graduate Research 
Fellowship Program is to help ensure the vitality and diversity of the 
scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. The program 
recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing 
research-based master's and doctoral degrees in science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and in STEM education. The GRFP 
provides three years of support, to be used during a five-year 
fellowship period, for the graduate education of individuals who have 
demonstrated their potential for significant research achievements in 
STEM and STEM education.
    The Graduate Research Fellowship Program uses several sources of 
information in assessing and documenting program performance and 
impact. These sources include reports from program evaluation, the GRFP 
Committee of Visitors, and data compiled from the applications. In 
addition, GRFP Fellows submit annual activity reports to NSF.
    The GRFP Completion report is proposed as a continuing component of 
the annual reporting requirement for the program. This report, 
submitted by the GRFP Institution, certifies the completion status of 
Fellows at the institution (e.g., in progress, completed, graduated, 
transferred, or withdrawn). The existing Completion Report, Grants 
Roster Report, and the Program Expense Report comprise the GRFP Annual 
Reporting requirements from the Grantee GRFP institution. Through 
submission of the Completion Report to NSF GRFP institutions certify 
the current status of all GRFP Fellows at the institution as either: In 
Progress, Graduated, Transferred, or Withdrawn. For Graduate Fellows 
with Graduated status, the graduation date is a required reporting 
element. Collection of this information allows the program to obtain 
information on the current status of Fellows, the number and/or 
percentage of Graduate Fellowship recipients who complete a science or 
engineering graduate degree, and an estimate of time to degree 
completion. The report must be certified and submitted by the 
institution's designated Coordinating Official (CO) annually.
    Use of the Information: The completion report data provides NSF 
with accurate Fellow information regarding completion of the Fellows'

[[Page 12715]]

graduate programs. The data is used by NSF in its assessment of the 
impact of its investments in the GRFP, and informs its program 
management.
    Estimate of Burden: Overall average time will be 15 minutes per 
Fellow (8,250 Fellows) for a total of 2,063 hours for all institutions 
with Fellows. An estimate for institutions with 12 or fewer Fellows 
will be 1 hour, institutions with 12-48 fellows will be 4 hours, and 
institutions over 48 Fellows will be 10 hours.
    Respondents: Academic institutions with NSF Graduate Fellows (GRFP 
Institutions).
    Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One from each of the 271 
current GRFP institutions.

    Dated: March 1, 2021.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2021-04460 Filed 3-3-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P