[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 244 (Thursday, December 21, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 88419-88420]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28156]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget for Renewal; Comment Request; NSF's 
Eddie Bernice Johnson INCLUDES Initiative National Network Survey

AGENCY: National Science Foundation (NSF).

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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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, NSF is providing the 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.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by February 20, 
2024, to be assured consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to the 
address below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance 
Officer, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite 
E7465, 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: NSF's Eddie Bernice Johnson INCLUDES 
Initiative National Network Survey.
    OMB Number: 3145-0256.
    Expiration Date of Approval: February 29, 2024.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to renew with change an 
information collection.
    Abstract: NSF's Eddie Bernice Johnson INCLUDES Initiative (the 
INCLUDES Initiative) is a comprehensive national effort to enhance U.S. 
leadership in science, technology, engineering, and

[[Page 88420]]

mathematics (STEM) discoveries and innovations by catalyzing the STEM 
enterprise for inclusive change, resulting in a STEM workforce that 
reflects the diverse population of the Nation. The INCLUDES Initiative 
aligns with NSF's commitment to equity, inclusion, and broadening 
participation in the STEM fields and NSF's strategic objectives 
communicated in the NSF Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years (FY) 2022-2026 
(https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2022/nsf22068/nsf22068.pdf).
    The INCLUDES initiative is supported by NSF's Eddie Bernice Johnson 
INCLUDES Coordination Hub (INCLUDES Coordination Hub; 
www.includesnetwork.org), an NSF-supported project that provides 
focused capacity building supports around data and information 
gathering; learning, community building and engagement; and 
storytelling, and communications to NSF's Eddie Bernice Johnson 
INCLUDES National Network (INCLUDES National Network).
    NSF is requesting OMB approval for the INCLUDES Coordination Hub to 
collect information from members of the INCLUDES National Network.
    Why you are collecting it: The INCLUDES Coordination Hub seeks to 
collect data from INCLUDES National Network members to: (1) shape 
INCLUDES Coordination Hub's activities (e.g., to identify support needs 
in the coming year; to inform Shared Measures and Network 
communication, engagement, learning, and community building, and 
expansion goals); (2) assess the development and progress of the 
INCLUDES National Network; and (3) inform the INCLUDES Coordination 
Hub's assessment of progress toward its theory of change.
    What information is being collected: The collected information will 
include information on how and why respondents engage with the Network, 
each respondent's perspectives on desired outcomes and ways in which 
the INCLUDES National Network is informing and supporting their efforts 
to change systems to broaden participation in STEM, in addition to full 
name, affiliated organizations, email addresses, and home states. 
Personally identifiable information (PII) is collected primarily to 
categorize responses based on respondents' roles in the INCLUDES 
National Network. PII will be accessed only by the INCLUDES 
Coordination Hub. Any public data reporting will be in aggregate form, 
and any personal identifiers will be removed.
    Respondents: All members of the INCLUDES National Network will be 
invited to respond to the survey. The INCLUDES National Network is 
comprised of individuals who are interested in or working directly to 
broaden participation in STEM. Some of these individuals are INCLUDES 
grantees; others have received NSF awards outside of INCLUDES or pursue 
broadening participation in STEM with support from other sources, 
including grants from federal, state, philanthropic, or business 
entities. Some are representatives of these various types of funders or 
businesses, such as program officers at NSF, other federal agencies, 
and private foundations, as well as interested individuals unaffiliated 
with particular grant programs.
    Estimated number of respondents: 840 (representing a 21% response 
rate).
    Use of the Information: The information collected is primarily for 
the use of the INCLUDES Coordination Hub to track the health, 
development, expansion, and diversification of the Network, understand 
the utility of the INCLUDES Coordination Hub in supporting Network 
members' success, and for informing design decisions the INCLUDES 
Coordination Hub will make regarding future programming and support 
provided to National Network members.
    Estimate burden on the public: Estimated at 280 hours, per year, 
for the duration of the Coordination Hub's cooperative agreement with 
NSF. It is beneficial for NSF and the Coordination Hub to have access 
to this information annually to track progress toward the INCLUDES 
Initiative's goals of supporting constituencies in identifying shared 
goals and objectives and understanding National Network members' 
impact.
    Average Time per Reporting: The online survey is comprised 
primarily of closed-ended questions and is designed to be completed by 
respondents in under 20 minutes.
    Frequency: Once per year for the duration of the INCLUDES 
Coordination Hub's cooperative agreement with NSF.
    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 respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology.
    Please submit one copy of your comments by only one method. All 
submissions received must include the agency name and collection name 
identified above for this information collection. Commenters are 
strongly encouraged to transmit their comments electronically via 
email. Comments, including any personal information provided become a 
matter of public record. They will be summarized and/or included in the 
request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information 
collection request.

    Dated: December 18, 2023.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2023-28156 Filed 12-20-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P