[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 122 (Tuesday, June 29, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34281-34282]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-13799]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Emergency Request for Approval of an Information Collection for 
Office of Polar Programs (OPP) United States Antarctic Program (USAP) 
Sexual Assault and Harassment Prevention and Response (SAHPR) Data 
Collection Plan

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the 
National Science Foundation (NSF) is providing notice that it will 
submit an information collection request (ICR) to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for emergency approval of a proposed 
information collection. NSF requests that OMB authorize the collection 
of information on or before 09 July 2021, for 180 days after the date 
of approval by OMB. Upon receiving the requested six-month emergency 
approval by OMB, NSF will follow the normal PRA procedures to obtain 
extended approval for this proposed information collection. The purpose 
of this collection is to gather data to support the SAHPR Needs 
Assessment, Implementation Plan and Training Material for the USAP. NSF 
is requesting emergency approval for this collection to maintain the 
SAHPR Program Implementation timeline, begin to implement 
recommendations before the 2021/2022 austral summer, and

[[Page 34282]]

honor our commitment to the research and support community to provide a 
safe and equitable workplace.

DATES: Comments should be submitted as soon as possible upon 
publication of this notice in the Federal Register.

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: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. chapter 35; as amended) and 5 CFR part 1320 require each Federal 
agency to obtain OMB approval to initiate an information collection 
activity. NSF is seeking OMB approval for the following information 
collection:
    OMB Control Number: 3145-NEW.
    Title: Office of Polar Programs (OPP) United States Antarctic 
Program (USAP) Sexual Assault and Harassment Prevention and Response 
(SAHPR) Data Collection Plan.
    Type of Review: Emergency approval of information collection.
    Expected Number of Respondents: 1,000 Survey Respondents; 150 Focus 
Group Participants; 30 Stakeholder Interviewees.
    Frequency: Annual survey. Initial interview and focus groups, with 
follow on scheduled as needed.
    Estimated Average Burden per Response: 10-15 minutes/survey; 120 
minutes/focus group; 60 minutes/interview.
    Survey. The survey will collect information about organizational 
and community culture on the ice, perceptions of the issues of sexual 
assault and harassment, perceptions of leadership support, and the 
formal and informal interactions between USAP participants on the ice. 
The surveys will enable the data analysis effort to explore the 
differences in experience and perceptions based on demographic 
analysis. The survey will be conducted via an online portal and will 
not collect any personally identifiable information. The questions will 
be developed by professionals and will be representative best practices 
for similar efforts. The target audience will be USAP participants who 
have deployed to Antarctica within the previous three years.
    Focus Groups. The purpose of conducting focus groups is to 
ascertain an understanding of organizational and community culture on 
the ice, perceptions of the issues of sexual assault and harassment, 
perceptions of leadership support, unique needs, and the formal and 
informal interactions between USAP participants on the ice. The focus 
groups will be facilitated by our SAHPR contractor and will follow a 
prescribed script. The groups will be comprised of USAP participants 
selected for specific groups based on organization, deployment type, 
work schedule, et cetera.
    Stakeholder Interviews. The purpose of the stakeholder interviews 
is to gain a deeper understanding of current conditions, organizational 
capacity, and organizational needs that will inform and impact the 
creation of a realistic and effective USAP SAHPR implementation plan. 
Interviews will be conducted by our SAHPR contractor with vetted 
personnel representing various organizations comprising the USAP and 
will follow scripted questions.

    Dated: June 21, 2021.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2021-13799 Filed 6-28-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P