[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 6, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17859-17860]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-07087]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval to Renew an Information 
Collection

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
request approval to renew the Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) 
Certification Form. 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 that OMB approve 
clearance of this collection for no longer than 3 years.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by June 7, 2021 
to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will 
be considered to the extent practicable.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance 
Officer, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Room W 
18000, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; 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 are invited on (a) whether the 
proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of the NSF, including whether the 
information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the NSF'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.
    Title of Collection: Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) 
Certification Form.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0247.
    Expiration Date of Current Approval: July 31, 2021.
    Type of Request: Intent to renew an information collection.
    Abstract: To enhance the quality of undergraduate STEM education at 
Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs), the National Science Foundation 
(NSF) established the Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Hispanic-
Serving Institutions (HSI Program), in response to the Consolidated 
Appropriations Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-31) and the American 
Innovation and Competitiveness Act (Public Law 114-329). The lead 
institution submitting a proposal to the HSI Program must be an HSI as 
defined by law in section 502 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 1101a) (http://legcounsel.house.gov/Comps/HEA65_CMD.pdf). Hence 
there is a need for institutions to self-certify via an HSI 
Certification Form.
    The HSI Program includes a specific track that provides a funding 
opportunity for institutions that are new to NSF[5] or are Primarily 
Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs [6]), including community colleges. 
PUIs are ``accredited colleges and universities (including two-year 
community colleges) that award Associates degrees, Bachelor's degrees, 
and/or Master's degrees in NSF-supported fields, but have awarded 20 or 
fewer Ph.D./D.Sci. degrees in all NSF-supported fields during the 
combined previous two academic years.'' PUI definition obtained from 
https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5518. Hence there is a 
need for institutions to provide a self-certification of PUI 
eligibility for this track. The following language is used:
    Certification of PUI Eligibility. A Certification of PUI 
Eligibility, following the format below and executed by an Authorized 
Organizational Representative, must be included in PUI requests 
(Planning or Pilot Projects (PPP) only). A current, signed 
Certification, included on institutional letterhead, should be scanned 
and included as a PDF file.

[[Page 17860]]

Certification of PUI Eligibility

    By submission of this proposal, the institution hereby certifies 
that the originating and managing institution is an accredited college 
or university that awards Associates degrees, Bachelor's degrees, and/
or Master's degrees in NSF-supported fields, but has awarded 20 or 
fewer Ph.D./D.Sci. degrees in all NSF-supported fields during the 
combined previous two academic years.

Authorized Organizational Representative
Typed Name and Title
Signature
Date

    Expected Respondents: Hispanic-Serving Institutions.
    Estimate of Burden: We anticipate 175 proposals for 2 minutes which 
is approximately 6 hours.

    Dated: March 26, 2021.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2021-07087 Filed 4-5-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P