Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; National Science Foundation-Managed Honor Awards
| Published date | 18 December 2020 |
| Citation | 85 FR 82524 |
| Record Number | 2020-27984 |
| Section | Notices |
| Court | National Science Foundation |
Federal Register, Volume 85 Issue 244 (Friday, December 18, 2020)
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 244 (Friday, December 18, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 82524-82527]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-27984]
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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request;
National Science Foundation-Managed Honor Awards
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Submission for OMB review; comment request.
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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted the
following information collection requirement 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,
Alexandria, VA 22314, 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).
Copies of the submission may be obtained by calling 703-292-7556.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NSF 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.
Title of Collection: National Science Foundation-Managed Honor
Awards.
OMB Number: 3145-0035.
Type of Request: Extension of approval of an information
collection.
Proposed Project: The National Science Foundation (NSF) administers
several external awards, among them the President's National Medal of
Science, the Alan T. Waterman Award, the National Science Board (NSB)
Vannevar Bush Award, the NSB Public Service Award, the Presidential
Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring
(PAESMEM) program, and the Presidential Awards for Excellence in
Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) program.
In 2003, to comply with E-government requirements, the nomination
processes were converted to electronic submission through NSF's
FastLane system or via other electronic systems as described in the
individual nomination process. Individuals can now prepare nominations
and references through www.fastlane.nsf.gov/honawards/ for all but the
PAESMEM and PAEMST awards. First-time users must register on the
Fastlane website using the link found in the upper right-hand corner
above the ``Log In'' box before accessing all but the PAESMEM and
PAEMST honorary award categories. For PAEMST nominations and
applications are submitted on the PAEMST portal at www.paemst.org. For
PAESMEM, nominations and applications are submitted on the PAESMEM
portal at www.paesmem.net.
Use of the Information: The Foundation has the following honorary
award programs:
President's National Medal of Science. Statutory authority
for the President's National Medal of Science is contained in 42 U.S.C.
1881 (P.L. 86-209), which established the award and stated that ``(t)he
President shall . . . award the Medal on the recommendations received
from the National Academy of Sciences or on the basis of such other
information and evidence as . . . appropriate.''
Subsequently, Executive Order 10961 specified procedures for the
Award by establishing a National Medal of Science Committee which would
``receive recommendations made by any other nationally representative
scientific or engineering organization.'' On the basis of these
recommendations, the Committee was directed to select its candidates
and to forward its recommendations to the President.
In 1962, to comply with these directives, the Committee initiated a
solicitation form letter to invite these nominations. In 1979, the
Committee
[[Page 82525]]
initiated a nomination form as an attachment to the solicitation
letter. A slightly modified version of the nomination form was used in
1980.
The Committee has established the following considerations for
selection of candidates:
a. The impact of an individual's body of work on the current state
of his or her field of science or engineering;
b. Whether the individual's achievements are of an unusually
significant nature in relation to the potential effects on the
development of thought in his or her field of science or engineering;
c. Whether the nominee has demonstrated unusually distinguished
service in the general advancement of science and/or engineering for
the Nation, especially when accompanied by substantial contributions to
the content of science;
d. The recognition of the nominee by peers within his or her
community, and whether s/he is recognized for substantial impact in
fields in addition to his/her discipline;
e. If the nominee has made contributions to innovation and
industry;
f. Whether the nominee has demonstrated sustained influence on
education through publications, teaching activities, outreach,
mentoring, etc., and;
g. Whether the nominee's contributions have created significant
positive impact for the Nation.
In 2003, the Committee changed the active period of eligibility to
three years, including the year of nomination. After that time,
candidates must be renominated with a new nomination package for them
to be considered by the Committee.
Narratives are now restricted to three pages of text, as stipulated
in the guidelines at: https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/honawards/medalHome.do
Alan T. Waterman Award. Congress established the Alan T.
Waterman Award in August 1975 (42 U.S.C. 1881a (P.L. 94-86) and
authorized NSF to ``establish the Alan T. Waterman Award for research
or advanced study in any of the sciences or engineering'' to mark the
25th anniversary of the National Science Foundation and to honor its
first Director. The annual award recognizes an outstanding young
researcher in any field of science or engineering supported by NSF. In
addition to a medal, the awardee receives a grant of $1,000,000 over a
five-year period for scientific research or advanced study in the
mathematical, physical, medical, biological, engineering, social, or
other sciences at the institution of the recipient's choice.
The Alan T. Waterman Award Committee was established by NSF to
comply with the directive contained in Public Law 94-86. The Committee
solicits nominations from members of the National Academy of Sciences,
National Academy of Engineering, scientific and technical
organizations, and any other source, public or private, as appropriate.
In 1976, the Committee initiated a form letter to solicit these
nominations. In 1980, a nomination form was used which standardized the
nomination procedures, allowed for more effective Committee review, and
permitted better staff work in a short period of time. On the basis of
its review, the Committee forwards its recommendation to the Director,
NSF, and the National Science Board (NSB).
Candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and must be
40 years of age or younger or not more than ten years beyond receipt of
the Ph.D. degree by December 31 of the year in which they are
nominated. Candidates should have demonstrated exceptional individual
achievements in scientific or engineering research of sufficient
quality to place them at the forefront of their peers. Criteria include
originality, innovation, and significant impact on the field.
Vannevar Bush Award. The Vannevar Bush Award honors truly
exceptional lifelong leaders in science and technology who have made
substantial contributions to the welfare of the Nation through public
service activities in science, technology, and public policy. The
National Science Board established this award in 1980 in the memory of
Vannevar Bush, who served as a science advisor to President Franklin
Roosevelt during World War II, helped to establish Federal funding for
science and engineering as a national priority during peacetime, and
was behind the creation of the National Science Foundation.
The Vannevar Bush Award recipient is selected annually by the
National Science Board's Subcommittee on Honorary Awards (AWD), which
is established to solicit nominations from scientific, engineering, and
educational societies and institutions, in both the public and private
sectors.
Candidates for the Vannevar Bush Award should have demonstrated
outstanding leadership and accomplishment in meeting at least two of
the following selection criteria:
1. Candidates must be U.S. citizens.
2. Distinguished himself/herself through public service activities
in science and technology.
3. Pioneered the exploration, charting, and settlement of new
frontiers in science, technology, education, and public service.
4. Demonstrated leadership and creativity that have inspired others
to distinguished careers in science and technology.
5. Contributed to the welfare of the Nation and humankind through
activities in science and technology.
6. Demonstrated leadership and creativity that has helped mold the
history of advancements in the Nation's science, technology, and
education.
Nomination Submissions must include:
1. A current curriculum vita without publications (no more than 5
pages).
2. A narrative statement (no more than 8 pages) addressing the
candidate's activities and contributions related to the selection
criteria.
3. A proposed award citation addressing the candidate's activities
in and contributions to national public service activities in science,
technology, and public policy.
4. Contact information for award candidate and nominator (mailing
address, email address, and phone number).
5. Two reference letters (no more than 2 pages each) from
individuals familiar with the candidate's accomplishments, and not
affiliated with the candidate's home institution. Letters should be
submitted by email to [email protected] on letterhead as a PDF file.
Nominations remain active for three years, including the year of
nomination. After that time, candidates must be renominated with a new
nomination for them to be considered by the selection committee.
NSB Public Service Award. The National Science Board
established the Public Service Award in November 1996 to honor
individuals and groups that have made substantial contributions to
increasing public understanding of science and engineering in the
United States. These contributions may be in a wide variety of areas
that have the potential of contributing to public understanding of and
appreciation for science and engineering--including mass media,
education and/or training programs, and entertainment.
Eligibility includes any individual or group (company, corporation
or organization) that has increased the public understanding of science
or engineering.
[[Page 82526]]
Candidates for the NSB Public Service Award should have
demonstrated outstanding leadership and accomplishment in meeting the
following selection criteria:
1. Increased the public's understanding of the processes of science
and engineering through scientific discovery, innovation, and its
communication to the public.
2. Encouraged others to help raise the public understanding of
science and technology.
3. Promoted the engagement of scientists and engineers in public
outreach and scientific literacy.
4. Contributed to the development of broad science and engineering
policy and its support.
5. Influenced and encouraged the next generation of scientists and
engineers.
6. Achieved broad recognition outside of the candidate's area of
specialization.
7. Fostered awareness of science and technology among broad
segments of the population.
Note: Members of the U.S. Government are not eligible for this
award.
Nomination Procedures:
Nominations for an individual must include:
1. A current curriculum vita without publications (no more than 3
pages).
2. A narrative statement (no more than 5 pages) addressing the
following:
a. the candidate's public service activities in science and
engineering, and
b. the candidate's contributions to public understanding of science
and engineering, as they relate to the selection criteria.
3. Contact information of candidate and nominator (mailing address,
email address, phone number).
Nominations must be submitted by email to: [email protected].
Nominations for a group must include:
1. A narrative statement (no more than 5 pages) addressing the
following:
a. the group's activities, and how it accomplishes the selection
criteria for the award,
b. length of years of the program,
c. number and type of individuals served by the group's activities;
and
d. data on the success of the program (if available).
2. Contact information of candidate and nominator (mailing address,
email address, phone number).
3. Reference letters are optional, and up to 3 letters (no more
than to 2 pages each) may be submitted on letterhead as a PDF file.
Nominations must be submitted by email to: [email protected].
Nominations remain active for three years, including the year of
nomination. After that time, candidates must be re-nominated with a new
nomination for them to be considered by the selection committee.
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and
Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) program
In 1996, the White House, through the National Science and
Technology Council (NSTC) and the Office of Science and Technology
Policy (OSTP), established the Presidential Awards for Excellence in
Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) program. The
program, administered on behalf of the White House by the National
Science Foundation, seeks to identify outstanding mentoring efforts or
programs designed to enhance the participation of groups (women,
minorities and persons with disabilities as well as groups from low
socioeconomic regions) underrepresented in science, mathematics and
engineering. The awardees will serve as exemplars to their colleagues
and will be leaders in the national effort to more fully develop the
Nation's human resources in science, mathematics and engineering. This
award is managed at NSF by the Directorate for Education and Human
Resources (EHR).
The award will be made to U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents
based on the following: (1) An individual who has demonstrated
outstanding and sustained mentoring and effective guidance to a
significant number of early career STEM professionals, students at the
K-12, undergraduate, or graduate education level or (2) to an
organization that, through its programming, has enabled a substantial
number of students underrepresented in science, mathematics and
engineering to successfully pursue and complete the relevant degree
programs as well as mentoring of early career STEM professionals.
Nominees must have served in a mentoring role for at least five years.
Nominations are reviewed for impact, significance of the mentoring
throrganizational awards must demonstrate rigorous evaluation and/or
assessment during the five-year period of the mentoring activity.
Award Ceremony
The awardees are hosted for two days in Washington, DC, for
celebratory activities. Recipients of the PAESMEM award receive a
monetary award in the amount of $10,000 from NSF and a commemorative
Presidential certificate. If scheduling permits, the President meets
with the mentors for a photo opportunity at the White House. The
Director of OSTP and the Director of NSF present the awards to the
mentors at an awards ceremony.
Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and
Science Teaching
The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science
Teaching (PAEMST) is the highest recognition that a kindergarten
through 12th-grade mathematics or science teacher may receive for
outstanding teaching in the United States. Enacted by Congress in 1983,
this program authorizes the President to bestow 108 awards with two per
state or jurisdiction, assuming there are qualified applicants. Awards
are given in the science category, which includes science and
engineering, and the mathematics category, which includes mathematics,
technology and computer science. In even-numbered y]ears, nominations
are accepted for elementary teachers (grades K-6); in odd-numbered
years, secondary teachers (grades 7-12) are nominated. This award is
managed at NSF by the Directorate for Education and Human Resources
(EHR).
Nomination Criteria
A teacher may be nominated by a principal, another teacher,
students, members of the community, or the general public. Self-
nominations are allowed. Awardees must be either U.S. Citizens or U.S.
Permanent Residents. A Nominee must meet the following criteria to
apply:
Teach science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/
or computer science as part of his or her contracted teaching
responsibilities at the K-6 grade level in a public (including charter)
or private school;
hold at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited
institution;
be a full-time employee of his or her school or school
district as determined by state and district policies, with
responsibilities for teaching students no less than 50% of the school's
allotted instructional time;
have at least five years of full-time employment as a K-12
teacher prior to the academic school year in which they apply, with
science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and/or computer science
teaching duties each of the past five years;
teach in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia,
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Department of Defense Education
Activity schools, or the U.S. Territories
[[Page 82527]]
as a group (American Samoa, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands, and U.S. Virgin Islands);
be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; and
not have received the PAEMST award at the national level
in any prior competition or category.
Application Process
Applicants complete a narrative on five dimensions of
outstanding teaching (content knowledge, pedagogy, assessment,
leadership and professional development), submit a video of one class,
supplemental materials, and references cited. Three letters of
reference including one from a school official are required, along with
a resume or biographical sketch.
The applicant completes an application and submits for
state review during the academic year. The nomination period runs
through the application cycle up to one month before the application
deadline.
Review of Nominations
State coordinators convene state selection committees of
prominent mathematicians, scientists, mathematics and science
educators, and past awardees to select up to three mathematics category
and three science category finalists for recognition at the state level
and for submission to NSF. To ensure consistency, state selection
committees review their applications using the same criteria and
scoring information that was approved by OSTP. Following the state
review applicants are given two weeks to complete an addendum to the
state application that addresses state reviewer comments.
NSF (EHR) convenes a National Selection Committee of
prominent mathematicians, scientists, mathematics and science
educators, and past awardees that review the application packets of the
state finalists including the addendum and make recommendations to NSF.
NSF reviews the state selection committee recommendations and
recommends to OSTP, when possible, one awardee in the mathematics
category and one in the science category for all eligible states/
jurisdictions. Alternatively, NSF may recommend two awardees from a
discipline in a jurisdiction, when warranted.
Award Ceremony
The awardees are hosted for 3-4 days in Washington, DC, for a
variety of professional development sessions and celebratory
activities. Each awardee receives a citation signed by the President
and $10,000 from NSF. If scheduling permits, the President meets the
teachers for a photo opportunity at the White House. The Director of
OSTP and the Director of NSF present the citations to the teachers at
an awards ceremony. Awardees also have the opportunity to meet their
congressional representatives and education representatives from other
federal agencies.
Estimate of Burden: These are annual award programs with
application deadlines varying according to the program. Public burden
also may vary according to program; however, across all the programs,
it is estimated that each submission will average 19 hours per
respondent. If the nominator is thoroughly familiar with the
disciplinary background of the nominee, time spent to complete the
nomination may be considerably reduced.
Respondents: Individuals, businesses or other for-profit
organizations, universities, non-profit institutions, and Federal and
State governments.
Estimated Number of Responses per Award: 1800 responses, broken
down as follows: For the President's National Medal of Science, 80; for
the Alan T. Waterman Award, 70; for the Vannevar Bush Award, 20; for
the Public Service Award, 30; for the PAESMEM, 200; and 1400 for the
PAEMST.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 41,350 hours, broken
down by 1,600 hours for the President's National Medal of Science (20
hours per 80 respondents); 1,400 hours for the Alan T. Waterman Award
(20 hours per 70 respondents); 300 hours for the Vannevar Bush Award
(15 hours per 20 respondents); 450 hours for the Public Service Award
(15 hours per 30 respondents); 4,000 hours for the PAESMEM (20 hours
per 200 respondents); and 33,600 hours for the PAEMST (24 hours per
1400 respondents).
Frequency of Responses: Annually.
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; (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 15, 2020.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2020-27984 Filed 12-17-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
