[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 2, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 11739]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-04402]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; 
Grantee Reporting Requirements for Partnership for Research and 
Education in Materials (PREM)

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
renew 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 2, 2022 
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 
W18200, 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:
    Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting Requirements for 
Partnerships for Research and Education in Materials (PREM).
    OMB Number: 3145-0232.
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 2022.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to renew an information 
collection.
    Overview of this Information Collection: The Partnerships for 
Research and Education in Materials (PREM) aims to enhance diversity in 
materials research and education by stimulating the development of 
formal, long-term, collaborative research and education relationships 
between minority-serving colleges and universities and centers, 
institutes and facilities supported by the NSF Division of Materials 
Research (DMR). With this collaborative model PREMs build intellectual 
and physical infrastructure within and between disciplines, weaving 
together knowledge creation, knowledge integration, and knowledge 
transfer. PREMs conduct world-class research through partnerships of 
academic institutions, national laboratories, industrial organizations, 
and/or other public/private entities. New knowledge thus created is 
meaningfully linked to society, with an emphasis on enhancing 
diversity.
    PREMs enable and foster excellent education, integrate research and 
education, and create bonds between learning and inquiry so that 
discovery and creativity more fully support the learning process. PREMs 
capitalize on diversity through participation and collaboration in 
center activities and demonstrate leadership in the involvement of 
groups underrepresented in science and engineering.
    PREMs will be required to submit annual reports on progress and 
plans, which will be used as a basis for performance review and 
determining the level of continued funding. To support this review and 
the management of the award PREMs will be required to develop a set of 
management and performance indicators for submission annually to NSF 
via the Research Performance Project Reporting module in Research.gov. 
These indicators are both quantitative and descriptive and may include, 
for example, the characteristics of personnel and students; sources of 
financial support and in-kind support; expenditures by operational 
component; research activities; education activities; patents, 
licenses; publications; degrees granted to students involved in PREM 
activities; descriptions of significant advances and other outcomes of 
the PREM effort.
    Each PREM's annual report will include the following categories of 
activities: (1) Research, (2) education (3) outreach, (4) partnerships, 
(5) diversity, (6) management, and (7) budget issues.
    For each of the categories the report will describe overall 
objectives for the year, problems the PREM has encountered in making 
progress towards goals, anticipated problems in the following year, and 
specific outputs and outcomes.
    PREMs are required to file a final report through the RPPR and 
external technical assistance contractor. Final reports contain similar 
information and metrics as annual reports but are retrospective.
    Use of the Information: NSF will use the information to continue 
funding of PREMs, and to evaluate the progress of the program.
    Estimate of Burden: 50 hours per PREM for 32 PREMs for a total of 
1,600 hours.
    Respondents: Non-profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One from each of the 
fifteen PREMs.
    Comments: 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; 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.

    Dated: February 25, 2022.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer,National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2022-04402 Filed 3-1-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P