[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 20 (Monday, January 31, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 4957]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-01863]


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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 OMB's approval to renew this collection. In accordance with the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are providing 
an opportunity for public comment on this action. After obtaining and 
considering public comment, NSF will prepare a submission requesting 
OMB clearance for this collection for no longer than three years.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the 
burden or any other aspect of this collection of information by April 
1, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance 
Officer, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Ave., Rm. W 
18253, Alexandria, VA 22314; telephone: (703) 292-7556; email: 
[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: Written 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; or (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: Grantee Reporting Requirements for the 
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0224.
    Expiration Date: July 31, 2022.
    Overview of information collection:
    NSF's Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program funds 
REU Site grants and REU Supplements to organizations to provide 
authentic research experiences and related training for postsecondary 
students in STEM fields.
    All NSF Principal Investigators in all programs are required to 
submit annual and final project reports through the NSF Project Reports 
System in Research.gov. The REU Program Module is a component of the 
NSF Project Reports System that is designed to gather basic information 
about the pool of student applicants and participants in REU Site and 
REU Supplement projects. The information allows NSF to assess the 
demand and allocate resources for REU student positions within each 
discipline, to analyze the types of academic institutions and the 
educational levels represented by the participants, and to identify the 
participants for inclusion in periodic program evaluations.
    NSF is committed to providing stakeholders with information 
regarding the expenditure of taxpayer funds on its investments in human 
capital, including activities such as REU Sites and REU Supplements. If 
NSF could not collect information about the students who participate in 
undergraduate research experiences, NSF would have no other means to 
consistently document the number and diversity of the participants or 
to identify the participants for inclusion in efforts that gauge the 
quality of programmatic activities and the long-term effects of the 
activities on the students. Without the REU Program Module, NSF also 
would not have information about the competitiveness of the REU 
opportunities, which informs the management of the program's budget.

Consultation With Other Agencies and the Public

    This information collection is specific to a subset of NSF 
grantees. NSF has not consulted with other agencies but has gathered 
information from its grantee community through attendance at PI 
conferences. A request for public comments will be solicited through 
announcement of data collection in the Federal Register.

Background

    All NSF Principal Investigators are required to use the project 
reporting functionality in Research.gov to report on progress, 
accomplishments, participants, and activities annually and at the 
conclusion of their project. Information from annual and final reports 
provides yearly updates on project inputs, activities, and outcomes for 
use by NSF program officers in monitoring projects and for agency 
reporting purposes.
    If project participants include undergraduate students supported by 
a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Sites grant or by an 
REU Supplement, then the Principal Investigator is required to complete 
the REU Program Module in addition to the questions in NSF's standard 
report template.
    Respondents: Individuals (Principal Investigators).
    Number of Principal Investigator Respondents: 3,900 annually.
    Burden on the Public: 650 total hours.

    Dated: January 25, 2022.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2022-01863 Filed 1-28-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P