[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 168 (Wednesday, August 31, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53505-53507]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-18746]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Request for Comment 
Regarding Common Disclosure Forms for the Biographical Sketch and 
Current and Pending (Other) Support

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act (PRA) of 1995, the National Science Foundation (NSF), on behalf of 
the National Science and Technology Council's (NSTC) Research Security 
Subcommittee, is soliciting public comment on common disclosure forms 
for the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support 
sections of a research application. An excel spreadsheet that 
summarizes all of the data elements that will be collected in both the 
Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) Support, as well as 
their associated attributes, also is included for public comment. The 
National Science Foundation has agreed to serve as steward for 
collection and resolution of public comments, as well

[[Page 53506]]

as for posting and maintaining the latest versions of the above-
mentioned documents of the common forms and other associated documents. 
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. NSF will be submitting 
this information collection request as Common Forms to permit Federal 
research funding agencies beyond NSF to streamline the information 
collection process in coordination with OMB.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by October 31, 
2022 to be assured consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Please address comments to Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports 
Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, 
Suite E7400, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone (703) 292-7556; or 
send an 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).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information on the proposed Common 
Disclosure Forms, contact Jean Feldman, Head, Policy Office, Division 
of Institution & Support, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower 
Avenue, Alexandria, VA, 22314, email: [email protected]; telephone (703) 
292-8243; FAX: (703) 292-9171.
    For further information on the NSTC Research Security Subcommittee, 
contact Christina Ciocca Eller, Assistant Director for Evidence and 
Policy, Executive Office of the President, Office of Science and 
Technology Policy, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20503; email: 
[email protected], telephone 202-456-6059; FAX 202-456-
6027.
    Comments: Comments are requested 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.
    We encourage respondents to submit comments electronically to 
ensure timely receipt. We cannot guarantee that comments mailed will be 
received before the comment closing date. Please include ``Common 
Disclosure Forms for the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending 
(Other) Support'' in the subject line of the email message; please also 
include the full body of your comments in the text of the message and 
as an attachment. Include your name, title, organization, postal 
address, telephone number, and email address in your message.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title of Collection: Request for Comment regarding Common 
Disclosure Forms for the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending 
(Other) Support.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-NEW.
    Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to establish a common 
disclosure forms information collection for three years.

I. Background

    Section 4(b) of NSPM-33 directs that ``research funding agencies 
shall require the disclosure of information related to potential 
conflicts of interest and commitment from participants in the Federally 
funded R&D enterprise . . . The appropriate disclosure requirement 
varies depending on the individual's role in the United States R&D 
enterprise.'' Section 4(b)(vi) directs that ``agencies should 
standardize forms for initial disclosures as well as annual updates, . 
. . and should provide clear instructions to accompany these forms and 
to minimize any associated administrative burden.''
    Over the past several months, the NSTC Research Security 
Subcommittee has worked to develop consistent disclosure requirements 
from senior personnel, as well as to develop proposed common disclosure 
forms for the Biographical Sketch and Current and Pending (Other) 
Support sections of an application for Federal research and development 
(R&D) grants or cooperative agreements. The purpose of the Biographical 
Sketch is to assess how well qualified the individual, team, or 
organization is to conduct the proposed activities. The purpose of 
Current and Pending (Other) Support is to assess the capacity of the 
individual to carry out the research as proposed and to help identify 
any potential scientific and budgetary overlap/duplication, as well as 
overcommitment with the project being proposed.
    These common forms are intended to clarify what is expected of 
senior personnel applying for R&D funding from Federal research funding 
agencies. Variations among research agencies will be limited to cases: 
(a) where required by statute or regulation; (b) where more stringent 
protections are necessary for protection of R&D that is classified, 
export-controlled, or otherwise legally protected; or (c) for other 
compelling reasons consistent with individual agency authorities and as 
coordinated through the NSTC.
    As stated in the NSPM-33 Implementation Guidance, ``the goal of 
these common forms and accompanying instructions is to ensure that 
applying for awards from any Federal research funding agency will 
require disclosing the same information in the same manner, to increase 
clarity and reduce administrative burden on the research community. In 
some cases, research agencies may adapt the forms and instructions, 
where required by their legal authorities. Such common forms also will 
allow the research community to identify and point out where greater 
clarity may be needed.''
    Agencies may develop agency- or program-specific data elements and 
instructions, if necessary, to meet programmatic requirements, although 
agencies will be instructed to minimize the degree to which they 
supplement the common forms. Modification and/or supplementation of 
these common forms will require clearance by OMB/OIRA under the PRA 
process.
    These common forms are intended to replace forms/formats currently 
used by agencies for these sections of applications, thereby increasing 
the consistency of disclosure forms and reducing administrative burden.

II. Invitation to Comment

    The following documents are available for review and comment on the 
NSF website (see https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/nstc_disclosure.jsp):
    a. A common Biographical Sketch form, including data elements and 
associated instructions;
    b. A common Current and Pending (Other) Support form, including 
data elements and associated instructions; and
    c. An excel spreadsheet that summarizes all the data elements, as 
well as their data attributes.
    The National Science Foundation has agreed to serve as steward for 
collection and resolution of public comments, as

[[Page 53507]]

well as for posting and maintaining the latest versions of the above- 
mentioned documents of the common forms and other associated documents.
    Input is welcome on any aspect of the proposed common disclosure 
forms, including the accompanying instructions, and excel spreadsheet.

                                              Burden on the Public
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                                                     Number of       Number of
                    Form name                        proposals      respondents     Burden time        Total
                                                    (estimated)     (estimated)       (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Biographical Sketch.............................          47,900               4               1         191,600
Current and Pending (Other) Support.............          47,900               4               1         191,600
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total burden hours..........................  ..............  ..............  ..............         383,200
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    Dated: August 25, 2022.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2022-18746 Filed 8-30-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P