[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 131 (Tuesday, July 11, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44158-44159]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-14654]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Survey of Science and 
Engineering Research Facilities

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Submission for OMB review; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics 
(NCSES) within the National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted the 
following information collection requirements to OMB for review and 
clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This is the second 
notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal 
Register, and no comments were received. NSF is forwarding the proposed 
submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance 
simultaneously with the publication of this second notice.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAmain. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance 
Officer, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite 
E7400, 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).
    Comments: Comments regarding (a) whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the NSF, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the NSF's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
use, and clarity of the information on respondents; 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 should be addressed to the points 
of contact in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
    Copies of the submission may be obtained by calling 703-292-7556. 
NCSES may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the 
collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control 
number, and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to 
the collection of information that such persons are not required to 
respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently 
valid OMB control number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title of Collection: Survey of Science and Engineering Research 
Facilities.
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0101.
    Summary of Collection: The National Science Foundation Survey of 
Science and Engineering Research Facilities is a Congressionally 
mandated (Pub. L. 99-159; NSF Act of 1950, as amended; America COMPETES 
Reauthorization Act of 2010), biennial survey that has been conducted 
since 1986. As required by law, the survey collects data on the amount, 
condition, and costs of the physical facilities used to conduct science 
and engineering research. Congress expected this survey to provide the 
data necessary to describe the status and needs of science and 
engineering research facilities.
    Use of the Information: Analysis of the Facilities Survey data will 
provide updated information on the status of scientific and engineering 
research facilities and capabilities. Statistics on the square footage 
of R&D space available, the condition of R&D space, and the costs for 
new construction, repairs, and renovation of R&D space at higher 
education institutions by S&E field are produced from the survey. The 
sources of funding for new construction and repair and renovation 
projects are also published. The survey information can be used by 
Federal policy makers, planners, and budget analysts in making policy 
decisions, as well as by institutional academic officials, the 
scientific/engineering establishment, and state agencies and 
legislatures that fund universities.
    Data are published in NSF's annual publication series Survey of 
Science and Engineering Research Facilities, available on the web at 
http://nsf.gov/statistics/srvyfacilities/.
    Expected respondents: The Facilities Survey, is a census of 
institutions that performed at least $1 million in separately accounted 
for science and engineering research and development in the previous 
year.
    In the most recent FY 2021 Facilities Survey, a census of 586 
academic

[[Page 44159]]

institutions was conducted. The sampling frame used for the survey was 
the FY 2020 Higher Education Research and Development Survey conducted 
by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics.
    Estimate of burden: The Facilities Survey will be sent to 
approximately 600 academic institutions for both the FY 2023 and FY 
2025 data collection cycles. Response to this voluntary survey is 
typically 97 percent each cycle. The total estimated burden is 22,800 
for the FY 2023 and FY 2025 surveys combined. Additional details on the 
burden calculation can be found in the first Federal Register Notice 
published on March 10, 2023, at 88 FR 15102.

    Dated: July 6, 2023.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2023-14654 Filed 7-10-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P