[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 180 (Tuesday, September 19, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64415-64416]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-20282]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; NOAA Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program

AGENCY: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other 
Federal agencies to comment on proposed and continuing information

[[Page 64416]]

collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information 
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The 
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment 
preceding submission of the information collection request to OMB for 
review and approval.

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed 
information collection must be received on or before November 20, 2023.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to 
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at [email protected]. Please 
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0432 in the subject line of your 
comments. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise 
sensitive or protected information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed 
to Seaberry Nachbar, NOAA Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program Manager, 
NOAA, 99 Pacific Street, Monterey, CA 93940, 831-647-4204, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    This is a request for extension of an existing information 
collection.
    NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries administers the Dr. 
Nancy Foster Scholarship Program, authorized by 16 U.S.C. 1445c-1 and 
16 U.S.C. 1445, recognizes outstanding achievement in master's and 
doctoral degrees in oceanography, marine biology, or maritime 
archaeology--this can include but is not limited to ocean and/or 
coastal: engineering, social science, marine education, marine 
stewardship, resource management disciplines--and particularly to 
encourage women and members of minority groups to apply. The 
scholarship supports independent graduate level research through 
financial support of graduate degrees in such fields. Gender and 
minority status are not considered when selecting award recipients. 
However, special outreach efforts are employed to solicit applications 
from women and members of minority groups. Scholarships are distributed 
by disciplines, institutions, and geography, and by degree sought, with 
selections within distributions based on financial need, the potential 
for success in a graduate level studies program (academic achievement), 
and the potential for achieving research and career goals. Data 
collection in the form of a full application, letters of 
recommendation, grade point average documents, research outline, a 
letter of financial need statement, and a declaration statement are all 
required to apply for the scholarship. Applicants submit this 
information through Grants.gov system. This information is used for the 
review and selection of the individuals who will receive scholarship 
funds.
    Selected awardees will also be requested to prepare a biographical 
sketch and photograph for NOAA's scholarship web page. Awardees are 
requested to prepare annual progress reports and participate in pre- 
and post-evaluations and one exit interview.

II. Method of Collection

    Information for the application is collected through an application 
submission, either electronically through the Grants.gov platform or if 
internet is not available, applicants may submit applications via mail. 
Information from selected awardees is collected orally.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0648-0432.
    Form Number(s): None.
    Type of Review: Regular (extension of an approved collection).
    Affected Public: Individuals.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 190.
    Estimated Time per Response: Application and transcripts: 8 hours; 
Letters of recommendation: 45 minutes; Biographical sketch and 
photograph of awardees: 1 hour; Annual progress reports: 4 hours; Pre- 
and post-evaluations and exit interview: 10 minutes each.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 570 burden hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $3,800.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1445c-1 and 16 U.S.C. 1445c.

IV. Request for Comments

    We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau 
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is 
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether 
the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy 
of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed 
collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden 
on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request 
to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone 
number, email address, or other personal identifying information in 
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including 
your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available 
at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your 
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Sheleen Dumas,
Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for 
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2023-20282 Filed 9-18-23; 8:45 am]
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