[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 22, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 72641]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-27712]
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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Extend an Information
Collection
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Notice and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to
request clearance of this collection. In accordance with the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are providing
opportunity for public comment on this action. After obtaining and
considering public comment, NSF will prepare the submission requesting
that OMB approve clearance of this collection for no longer than three
years.
DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by February 22,
2022 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date
will be considered to the extent practicable.
For Additional Information or Comments: Contact Suzanne H.
Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 2415
Eisenhower Avenue, 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). You also may obtain a copy of the data collection instrument
and instructions from Ms. Plimpton.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting Requirements for Science and
Technology Centers (STC): Integrative Partnerships.
OMB Number: 3145-0194.
Expiration Date of Approval: February 28, 2022.
Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to extend an information
collection.
Proposed Project: The Science and Technology Centers (STC):
Integrative Partnerships Program supports innovation in the integrative
conduct of research, education and knowledge transfer. Science and
Technology Centers build intellectual and physical infrastructure
within and between disciplines, weaving together knowledge creation,
knowledge integration, and knowledge transfer. STCs conduct world-class
research through partnerships of academic institutions, national
laboratories, industrial organizations, and/or other public/private
entities. New knowledge thus created is meaningfully linked to society.
STCs enable and foster excellent education, integrate research and
education, and create bonds between learning and inquiry so that
discovery and creativity more fully support the learning process. STCs
capitalize on diversity through participation in center activities and
demonstrate leadership in the involvement of groups underrepresented in
science and engineering.
Centers selected will be required to submit annual reports on
progress and plans, which will be used as a basis for performance
review and determining the level of continued funding. To support this
review and the management of a Center, STCs will be required to develop
a set of management and performance indicators for submission annually
to NSF via an NSF evaluation technical assistance contractor. These
indicators are both quantitative and descriptive and may include, for
example, the characteristics of center personnel and students; sources
of financial support and in-kind support; expenditures by operational
component; characteristics of industrial and/or other sector
participation; research activities; education activities; knowledge
transfer activities; patents, licenses; publications; degrees granted
to students involved in Center activities; descriptions of significant
advances and other outcomes of the STC effort. Part of this reporting
will take the form of a database which will be owned by the institution
and eventually made available to an evaluation contractor. This
database will capture specific information to demonstrate progress
towards achieving the goals of the program. Such reporting requirements
will be included in the cooperative agreement which is binding between
the academic institution and the NSF.
Each Center's annual report will address the following categories
of activities: (1) Research, (2) education, (3) knowledge transfer, (4)
partnerships, (5) diversity, (6) management and (7) budget issues.
For each of the categories the report will describe overall
objectives for the year, problems the Center has encountered in making
progress towards goals, anticipated problems in the following year, and
specific outputs and outcomes.
Use of the Information: NSF will use the information to continue
funding of the Centers, and to evaluate the progress of the program.
Estimate of Burden: 100 hours per center for twelve centers for a
total of 1,200 hours.
Respondents: Non-profit institutions; federal government.
Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One from each of the
twelve centers.
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 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.
Dated: December 17, 2021.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2021-27712 Filed 12-21-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P