Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals

Federal Register: July 24, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 141)

Notices

Page 36779-36780

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr24jy09-139

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request.

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, Public Law 104-13.

This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal Register at 74 FR 24043, and one comment was received.

NSF is forwarding the proposed renewal submission to the Office of

Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with the publication of this second notice. The full submission may be found at: http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.

Page 36780

Comments regarding (a) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; or (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 should be addressed to: Office of

Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for

National Science Foundation, 725 17th Street, NW., Room 10235,

Washington, DC 20503, and to Suzanne Plimpton, Reports Clearance

Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295,

Arlington, Virginia 22230 or send e-mail to splimpto@nsf.gov. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification.

Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling 703-292-7556.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Written comments regarding the information collection and requests for copies of the proposed information collection request should be addressed to Suzanne Plimpton,

Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson

Blvd., Rm. 295, Arlington, VA 22230, or by e-mail to splimpto@nsf.gov.

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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comment: On May 22, 2009, we published in the Federal Register (74

FR 24043) a 60-day notice of our intent to request reinstatement of this information collection authority from OMB. In that notice, we solicited public comments for 60 days ending July 21, 2009. One comment came from B. Sachau of Florham Park, NJ, via e-mail on May 22, 2009, who objected to this information collection.

Response: (Some background on the program to clarify the survey request is provided.) The Alliances for Broadening Participation in

STEM (ABP) includes three programs: the Louis Stokes Alliances for

Minority Participation (LSAMP) program; the Bridge to the Doctorate

(LSAMP-BD) Activity; and the Alliances for Graduate Education and the

Professoriate (AGEP) program.

This portfolio of programs seeks to increase the number of students successfully completing quality degree programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Particular emphasis is placed on transforming STEM education through innovative academic strategies and experiences in support of groups that historically have been underrepresented in STEM disciplines: African-Americans, Alaskan

Natives, Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Pacific

Islanders.

Managed synergistically, the ABP cluster enables seamless transitions from the STEM baccalaureate to attainment of the doctorate and entry to the STEM professoriate. ABP support begins at the baccalaureate level through the LSAMP program. LSAMP emphasizes development of broad based regional and national alliances of academic institutions, school districts, State and local governments, and the private sector to increase the diversity and quality of the STEM workforce. Eligible LSAMP undergraduate students may receive continued support for up to two additional years of STEM graduate study through the Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) Activity. The Bridge to the Doctorate provides significant financial support for matriculating candidates in

STEM graduate programs at eligible alliance sites.

Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) furthers the graduate education of underrepresented STEM students through the doctorate level, preparing them for fulfilling opportunities and productive careers as STEM faculty and research professionals. AGEP also supports the transformation of institutional culture to attract and retain STEM doctoral students into the professorate. Further information may be found via the AGEP Web page: http://www.agep.us/index.asp#maincontent.

NSF believes that because the comment does not contain suggestions for altering the collection of information for which NSF is seeking OMB approval, NSF is proceeding with the clearance request.

Title of Collection: National Evaluation of the Alliances for

Graduate Education and the Professoriate Faculty and Student Surveys.

OMB Control No.: 3145-NEW.

Abstract: The Division of Human Resource Development (EHR/HRD) of the National Science Foundation has requested impact information on the

Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) Program.

Funded by NSF, the AGEP Program has funded 28 alliances of colleges and universities to promote the participation of underrepresented minority groups in PhD programs in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The ultimate goal of the program is to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in these fields who enter the professoriate. NSF now seeks follow-up information on program participants--that is, students and faculty-- to determine what impact the program has had on graduate students' decisions to enroll in and graduate from STEM doctoral programs and enter the professoriate. NSF proposes a one-time on-line survey of STEM graduate students currently enrolled in STEM doctoral programs and faculty members at universities taking part in AGEP.

Estimate of Burden: The Foundation estimates that, on average, 30 minutes per respondent will be required to complete the surveys, for a total of 8,250 hours for all respondents. Respondents from the 104 institutions that received NSF AGEP support will be asked to complete this survey once.

Respondents: STEM faculty at AGEP institutions and STEM graduate students at AGEP institutions.

Estimate total number of responses: 16,500.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 8,250 hours.

Dated: July 21, 2009.

Suzanne H. Plimpton,

Reports Clearance Officer,

National Science Foundation.

FR Doc. E9-17678 Filed 7-23-09; 8:45 am

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