Emergency Clearance; Public Information Collection Requirements Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget; Notice
Federal Register, Volume 77 Issue 142 (Tuesday, July 24, 2012)
Federal Register Volume 77, Number 142 (Tuesday, July 24, 2012)
Notices
Pages 43373-43374
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office www.gpo.gov
FR Doc No: 2012-17989
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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Emergency Clearance; Public Information Collection Requirements Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget; Notice
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to request approval of this collection. In accordance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are providing an 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 3 years.
DATES: Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the burden or any other aspect of this collection of information requirements by August 23, 2012.
ADDRESSES: 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 email to splimpto@nsf.gov, and Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503. Attn: Sharon Mar, NSF Desk Officer.
Comments: Written 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; 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.
NSF has determined that it cannot reasonably comply with the normal clearance procedures under 5 CFR 1320 because normal clearance procedures are reasonably likely to prevent or disrupt the collection of information. NSF is requesting emergency review from OMB of this information collection, which is a module in the FastLane Project Reports System. The emergency review and approval of this information collection request will assure continuation of the collection of information on student participants in the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Site and Supplement awards as required in annual and final reports. OMB approval has been requested for August 31, 2012. If granted, the emergency approval is only valid for 180 days.
During this same period, a regular review of this information collection will be undertaken. During the regular review period, the NSF requests written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning this information collection. Comments are encouraged and will be accepted until September 24, 2012 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone (703) 292-7556; or send email to splimpto@nsf.gov. 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).
OMB Approval Number: OMB 3145-New.
Expiration Date: N/A.
Page 43374
Overview of This Information Collection
All NSF projects are required to use the FastLane Project Reports System for developing and submitting annual and final project reports. If NSF cannot collect information about undergraduate participants in undergraduate research experiences, NSF will have no other means to consistently document the number and diversity of participants, types of participant involvement in the research, and types of institutions represented by the participants.
NSF is committed to providing program stakeholders within formation regarding the expenditure of taxpayer funds on these types of experiences that provide training for postsecondary students in basic and applied research in STEM. If NSF must follow the normal OIRA clearance review process, the result will be incomplete and inconsistent information about the participants who participate in NSF-
funded research experiences for undergraduate students.
Consult With Other Agencies and the Public
NSF has not consulted with other agencies but has gathered information from its grantee community through attendance at PI conferences. A request for public comments will be solicited through announcement of data collection in the Federal Register.
Background
All NSF grantees are required to use the FastLane Project Reports System for reporting progress, accomplishments, participants, and activities annually and at the conclusion of their project. Information from annual and final reports provides yearly updates on project inputs, activities, and outcomes for agency reporting purposes. If project participants include undergraduate students supported by the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Sites Program or by an REU Supplement, then the grantees and their students are required to complete the REU Reporting Module.
Respondents: Individuals (Principal Investigators and REU undergraduate student participants).
Number of Principal Investigator Respondents: 2,000.
Burden on the Public: 650 total hours.
Number of REU Student Participant Respondents: 7,250.
Burden on the Public: 1,810 total hours.
Dated: July 18, 2012.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
FR Doc. 2012-17989 Filed 7-23-12; 8:45 am
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
