[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 208 (Monday, October 30, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74156-74157]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-23808]


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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; AmeriCorps Application Questions

AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service, operating 
as AmeriCorps, has submitted a public information collection request 
(ICR) entitled AmeriCorps Application Questions for review and approval 
in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the individual and office 
listed in the ADDRESSES section by November 29, 2023.

ADDRESSES: 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: Copies of this ICR, with applicable 
supporting documentation, may be obtained by calling AmeriCorps, 
Sharron Tendai, at 202-606-3904 or by email to [email protected].

[[Page 74157]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The OMB is particularly interested in 
comments which:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of AmeriCorps, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information, including the 
validity of the methodology and assumptions;
     Propose ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity 
of the information to be collected; and
     Propose 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.

Comments

    A 60-day Notice requesting public comment was published in the 
Federal Register on July 31, 2023 at 49453-49454. This comment period 
ended September 29, 2023. No public comments were received from this 
Notice. On September 12, 2023, AmeriCorps led a focus group with 9 
individuals to discuss the burden of the AmeriCorps Application 
Questions. The participants in the focus group were a mix of VISTA 
sponsors, and grantees from AmeriCorps Seniors, AmeriCorps State and 
National, and Volunteer Initiatives. Participants agreed that 
AmeriCorps requests a lot of data in its application but does not 
communicate its intentions for the information collected. They further 
agreed that AmeriCorps should more clearly communicate to those who 
complete this information collection why it requires the level of data 
collection it asks for. While the application lists a burden of 6 hours 
to complete the application questions, participants agreed the actual 
time spent completing the application is significantly longer. For this 
reason, we have extended the time burden to 40 hours per applicant.The 
application instructions are often circular, referring back to one 
another, and applicants have to frequently refer back to them (NOFO, 
guidance, application instructions). Participants told AmeriCorps that 
navigating these materials in order to complete this information 
collection is extremely burdensome and frustrating. Their additional 
suggestions for minimizing the burden to the public include: replacing 
eGrants, providing a word limit per section rather than a page limit, 
and providing clear checklists of ``must-do'' items and criteria to 
help guide applicants through the process in a more concrete way. While 
many of these changes are not currently possible in eGrants, these 
comments will help inform improvements to the forthcoming grants 
management system.
    Title of Collection: AmeriCorps Application Questions.
    OMB Control Number: 3045-0187. Type of Review: Renewal.
    Respondents/Affected Public: Organizations, State, Local or Tribal 
Governments.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 13,200.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 528,000.
    Abstract: The generic application questions are used by applicants 
for funding through AmeriCorps competitions. The application is 
completed electronically using the Agency's web-based grants management 
system or submitted via email. AmeriCorps seeks to renew the current 
information collection without revisions. The information collection 
will otherwise be used in the same manner as the existing application. 
AmeriCorps also seeks to continue using the current application until 
the revised application is approved by OMB. The current application is 
due to expire on October 30, 2023.

Danielle Melfi,
Chief Program Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-23808 Filed 10-27-23; 8:45 am]
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