[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 1 (Monday, January 3, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68-69]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-28389]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement


Notice of Request for Approval of an Information Collection

AGENCY: USDA--Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the Office of Partnerships and Public 
Engagement intention to request an extension with change for a 
currently approved information collection for the United States 
Department of Agriculture (USDA)/1890 National Scholars Program.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by January 24, 2022, to 
be assured of consideration.

ADDRESSES: The Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement invites 
interested persons to submit comments on this notice. Comments may be 
submitted by one of the following methods:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: This website provides the ability to 
type short comments directly into the comment field on this web page or 
attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the on-line instructions at that site for submitting comments.
    Mail, including CD-ROMs, etc.: Send to: Kenya Nicholas, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Office of Partnerships and Public 
Engagement, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 524-A, Whitten Building, 
Washington, DC 20250-3700.
    Hand- or courier-delivered submittals: Deliver to 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW, Room 524-A, Whitten Building, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
    Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must 
include the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement. Comments 
received in response to this docket will be made available for public 
inspection and posted without change, including any personal 
information, to http://www.regulations.gov.
    For access to background documents or comments received, go to the 
Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, 1400 Independence Avenue 
SW, Room 524-A, Whitten Building, Washington, DC 20250-3700. Office of 
Partnerships and Public Engagement, Docket Room at 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW, Room 524-A, Whitten Building, Washington, DC 20250 between 
8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenya Nicholas, Office of Partnerships 
and Public Engagement, USDA/1890 National Scholars Program, 1400 
Independence Avenue, Washington, DC 20250-3700; or call (202) 720-6350 
or send a fax to: (202) 720-7704. You may also send an email to: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. chapter 35), this notice announces the intention 
of the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement to request an 
extension for a currently approved information collection for the USDA/
1890 National Scholars Program.
    Title: USDA/1890 National Scholars Program.
    OMB Number: 0503-0015.
    Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2022.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is a joint human 
capital initiative between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 
and the 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities. Through the 
1890 National Scholars Program, USDA offers scholarships to high school 
and college students who are seeking a bachelor's degree in the fields 
of agriculture, food, science, or natural resource sciences and related 
disciplines at one of the established 1890 Land-Grant Universities. A 
completed application is required for graduating high school students, 
and college freshman and sophomores to be considered for the 
scholarship. The first section of the high school application requests 
the applicant to include biographical information (i.e., name, address, 
age, etc.); educational background information (i.e., grade point 
average, test scores, name of university(ies) interested in attending, 
and desired major); and extracurricular activities. The second 
sectionof the application is completed by the student's guidance 
counselor and requests information pertaining to the student's academic 
status, grade point average, and test scores. The last section of the 
application, which is to be completed by a teacher, provides 
information assessing the applicant's interests,

[[Page 69]]

habits, and potential. The first section of the college application 
requests the applicant to include biographical information (i.e., name, 
address, age, etc.); educational background information) i.e., grade 
point average, name of university currently attending and declared 
major); activities. The second section of the application requires the 
submission of a transcript; essay containing 500-800 words; two letters 
of recommendation submitted on behalf of the applicant.
    There are no sections included in the application that the letter 
writing officials will need to complete.
    Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of 
information is estimated to average 2 hours per response.
    Respondents: High School Students, College Freshman and Sophomore 
Students, High School Teachers and Guidance Counselors, College 
Department Head, Dean of a College, University Vice Presidents, or a 
College Professor.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,420 (1,140 applications).
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 6,840 hours.
    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who 
are to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, 
mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms 
of information technology.
    Comments may be sent to Kenya Nicholas, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Room 524-A, Whitten Building, Washington, DC 
20250-3700. All comments received will be available for public 
inspection during regular business hours at the same address.
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval. All comments will become a matter of public 
record.

Lisa R. Ramirez,
Director, Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement.
[FR Doc. 2021-28389 Filed 12-30-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3412-88-P