Research Performance Progress Report Format, 63629-63631 [07-5601]
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 217 / Friday, November 9, 2007 / Notices
ecological health and improve water
management for beneficial uses of the
San Francisco/Sacramento and San
Joaquin Bay Delta.
Committee agendas and meeting
materials will be available prior to all
meetings on the California Bay-Delta
Program Web site https://Calwater.ca.gov
and at the meetings. These meetings are
open to the public. Oral comments will
be accepted from members of the public
at each meeting and will be limited to
3-5 minutes.
Authority: The Committee was established
pursuant to the Department of the Interior’s
authority to implement the Water Supply,
Reliability, and Environmental Improvement
Act, Pub. L. 108–361; the Fish and Wildlife
Coordination Act, 16 U.S.C. 661 et. seq.; the
Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et
seq.; and the Reclamation Act of 1902, 43
U.S.C. 391 et. seq., and the acts amendatory
thereof or supplementary thereto, all
collectively referred to as the Federal
Reclamation laws, and in particular, the
Central Valley Project Improvement Act, 34
U.S.C. 3401.
Dated: October 24, 2007.
Diane A. Buzzard,
Acting Special Projects Officer, Mid-Pacific
Region, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
[FR Doc. 07–5597 Filed 11–8–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310–MN–M
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
COMMISSION
[Investigation Nos. 701–TA–452 and 731–
TA–1129 and 1130 (Preliminary)]
Raw Flexible Magnets fom China and
Taiwan
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
Determinations
On the basis of the record 1 developed
in the subject investigations, the United
States International Trade Commission
(Commission) determines, pursuant to
section 703(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930
(19 U.S.C. 1671b(a)) (the Act), that there
is a reasonable indication that an
industry in the United States is
threatened with material injury by
reason of imports from China of raw
flexible magnets, provided for in
subheadings 8505.19.10 and 8505.19.20
of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of
the United States,2 that are alleged to be
subsidized by the Government of
China.3 The Commission further
1 The record is defined in sec.–tion 207.2(f) of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (19
CFR § 207.2(f)).
2 Raw flexible magnets were provided for in HTS
statistical reporting number 8505.19.0040 prior to
December 19, 2004.
3 Commissioner Charlotte R. Lane determines that
there is a reasonable indication that an industry in
the United States is materially injured by reason of
such imports.
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23:48 Nov 08, 2007
Jkt 214001
determines, pursuant to section 733(a)
of the Act (19 U.S.C. 1673b(a)), that
there is a reasonable indication that an
industry in the United States is
threatened with material injury by
reason of imports from China and
Taiwan of raw flexible magnets, that are
alleged to be sold in the United States
at less than fair value (LTFV).4
Commencement of Final Phase
Investigations
Pursuant to section 207.18 of the
Commission’s rules, the Commission
also gives notice of the commencement
of the final phase of its investigations.
The Commission will issue a final phase
notice of scheduling, which will be
published in the Federal Register as
provided in section 207.21 of the
Commission’s rules, upon notice from
the Department of Commerce
(Commerce) of affirmative preliminary
determinations in the investigations
under section 703(b) and section 733(b)
of the Act, or, if the preliminary
determinations are negative, upon
notice of affirmative final
determinations in those investigations
under section 705(a) and section 735(a)
of the Act. Parties that filed entries of
appearance in the preliminary phase of
the investigations need not enter a
separate appearance for the final phase
of the investigations. Industrial users
and, if the merchandise under
investigation is sold at the retail level,
representative consumer organizations
have the right to appear as parties in
Commission antidumping and
countervailing duty investigations. The
Secretary will prepare a public service
list containing the names and addresses
of all persons, or their representatives,
who are parties to the investigations.
Background
On September 21, 2007, a petition
was filed with the Commission and
Commerce by Magnum Magnetics Corp.,
alleging that an industry in the United
States is materially injured or
threatened with material injury by
reason of subsidized imports of raw
flexible magnets from China, and by
reason of LTFV imports from China and
Taiwan. Accordingly, effective
September 21, 2007, the Commission
instituted countervailing duty and
antidumping duty investigation Nos.
701–TA–452 and 731–TA–1129 and
1130 (Preliminary).
Notice of the institution of the
Commission’s investigations and of a
public conference to be held in
4 Commissioner Charlotte R. Lane determines that
there is a reasonable indication that an industry in
the United States is materially injured by reason of
such imports.
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Fmt 4703
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63629
connection therewith was given by
posting copies of the notice in the Office
of the Secretary, U.S. International
Trade Commission, Washington, DC,
and by publishing the notice in the
Federal Register of September 28, 2007
(72 FR 55248). The conference was held
in Washington, DC, on October 12,
2007, and all persons who requested the
opportunity were permitted to appear in
person or by counsel.
The Commission transmitted its
determinations in these investigations to
the Secretary of Commerce on
November 5, 2007. The views of the
Commission are contained in USITC
Publication 3961 (November 2007),
entitled Raw Flexible Magnets from
China and Taiwan: Investigation Nos.
701–TA–452 and 731–TA–1129 and
1130 (Preliminary).
Issued: November 5, 2007.
By order of the Commission.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. E7–22014 Filed 11–8–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020–02–P
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Research Performance Progress
Report Format
AGENCY:
National Science Foundation
(NSF).
Request for public comment on
a standardized Research Performance
Progress Report (RPPR) format.
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The National Science
Foundation (NSF), on behalf of the
Chief Financial Officers Council’s
Grants Policy Committee, the Grants.gov
Executive Board, and the National
Science & Technology Council’s
Research Business Models
Subcommittee, is soliciting public
comment on a standardized Research
Performance Progress Report (RPPR)
format. The NSF has agreed to serve as
the ‘‘sponsor’’ of this Federal-wide
format for receipt of comments under
this interagency initiative.
Development of a standardized RPPR
is an initiative of the Research Business
Models (RBM) Subcommittee of the
Committee on Science (CoS), a
Committee of the National Science and
Technology Council (NSTC). It is also
part of the implementation of the
Federal Financial Assistance
Management Improvement Act of 1999
(Pub. L. 106–107). Consistent with the
purposes of that Act, the objective of
this initiative is to establish a uniform
format for reporting performance on
Federally-funded research projects.
E:\FR\FM\09NON1.SGM
09NON1
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
63630
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 217 / Friday, November 9, 2007 / Notices
Although different Federal agencies
utilize a variety of formats for reporting
progress on activities supported by
research grants, similar information is
usually collected. These variations
increase administrative effort and costs
for recipients of Federal awards and
make it difficult to compare research
programs across government.
Development of standard reporting
categories will facilitate the
development of a common electronic
solution for collecting the information
in lieu of collecting it through numerous
agency-unique reporting forms currently
used. In furtherance of Public Law 106–
107, this proposed format will directly
benefit award recipients by making it
easier for recipients to administer
Federal grant programs through
standardization of the types of research
information required in performance
reports. This proposed format is for
interim progress reports only, and once
implemented, it is intended to replace
other formats. The NSTC RBM
Subcommittee may consider a similar
format for final reports, subsequent to
this RPPR initiative. Agencies may use
other OMB-approved reporting formats
for specialized research grants, such as
centers/institutes, clinical trials, or
fellowship/training awards.
Each category is in the proposed
RPPR is a separate reporting component.
Award recipients would be required to
report on the mandatory category and
may be required to report on the
mandatory category and may be
required to report on any of the optional
categories as instructed by an awarding
agency. Agencies may develop an
agency- or program-specific category, if
necessary, to meet programmatic
requirements, although agencies would
be instructed to minimize the degree to
which they supplement the standard
categories. Comment is requested on
any aspect of the reporting components
proposed, such as appropriateness,
feasibility, completeness, or mandatory
specification. The NSF also invites the
general public and other Federal
agencies to comment on estimates of
burden as required by the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).
DATES: Comments must be received by
January 8, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be
addressed to Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, Division of
Administrative Services, National
Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd,
Arlington, VA 22230, e-mail
splimpton@nsf.gov; telephone: (703)
292–7556; Fax (703) 292–9188. We
encourage respondents to submit
comments electronically to ensure
VerDate Aug<31>2005
23:48 Nov 08, 2007
Jkt 214001
timely receipt. We cannot guarantee that
comments mailed will be received
before the comment closing date. Please
include ‘‘Research Performance
Progress Reporting’’ in the subject line
of the e-mail message; please also
include in the full body of your
comments in the text of the message and
as an attachment. Include your name,
title, organization, postal address,
telephone number, and e-mail address
in your message.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To
view the RPPR format, see: https://
www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/rppr/
index.jsp. For information on the RPPR,
contact Jean Feldman, Head, Policy
Office, Division of Institution &
Support, National Science Foundation,
4201 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA,
22230, e-mail: jfeldman@nsf.gov;
telephone (703) 292–8243; Fax: (703)
292–9171. For further information on
the NSTC RBM Subcommittee, contact
Diane DiEuliis, at the Office of Science
and Technology Policy, 725 17th Street,
NW., Washington, DC 20503; e-mail:
ddieuliis@ostp.eop.gov; telephone 202–
456–6059; Fax 202–456–6027. See also
the RBM Subcommittee’s Internet Web
site located at: https://rbm.nih.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
This project is an initiative of the
Research Business Models (RBM)
Subcommittee of the Committee on
Science (COS), a committee of the
National Science and Technology
Council (NSTC). The RBM
Subcommittee’s objectives include:
• Facilitating a coordinated effort
across Federal agencies to address
policy implications arising from the
changing nature of scientific research;
and
• Examining the effects of these
changes on business models for the
conduct of scientific research sponsored
by the Federal government.
The Subcommittee used public
comments, agency perspectives, and
input from a series of regional public
meetings to identify priority areas on
which it would focus its initial efforts.
In each priority area, the Subcommittee
is pursuing initiatives to promote, as
appropriate, common policy,
streamlining of current procedures, or
the identification of agencies’ and
institutions’ ‘‘best practices.’’ As further
information about initiatives becomes
available, it will be posted at the
Subcommittee’s Internet Web site:
https://rbm.nih.gov.
The objective of one of the RBM
Subcommittee’s priority areas is greater
uniformity in the form and content of
PO 00000
Frm 00084
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
performance reports that are required by
Federal grants and cooperative
agreements awarded under research
programs. Many Federal agencies have
their own forms or formats that
recipients must use to report progress
on activities supported by research
grants. While agencies use different
formats and different language to
request information on progress, they
usually collect similar information.
These variations increase the
administrative effort and costs for
recipients of Federal awards and make
it difficult to compare research
programs across the government. In
furtherance of Pub. L. 106–107, this
proposed format will directly benefit
recipients by making it easier to
administer Federal grant programs,
through standardization of the types of
research information required in
performance reports. It will also
facilitate the creation of a common
electronic solution for collecting the
information in lieu of collecting it
through the numerous agency-unique
reporting forms or systems currently
used by different Federal agencies. The
RBM Subcommittee reviewed all
formats currently in use by Federal
agencies for reporting performance on
research grants. The reporting categories
used by the NSF were selected as a
starting point for designing a standard
format, as hundreds of NSF research
programs have used these categories
successfully. The proposed format does
not change the performance reporting
requirements in OMB Circulars A–102
and A–110; it merely provides
additional clarification, instructions,
and a standard format for collecting the
information.
This proposed format is intended for
interim progress reports, not for use in
submission of final reports (see section
III. Invitation to Comment below), and
once implemented, it is intended to
replace other formats. The RPPR is
intended to address progress for the
most recently completed period, at the
frequency required or designated by the
sponsoring agency. Information, once
reported, does not have to be provided
again on subsequent reports.
II. Proposed Reporting Categories
The proposed format for interim
performance progress reporting on
grants and cooperative agreements
awarded under research programs are
available on the NSF Web site at:
https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/
rppr/index.jsp. These include the cover
page data elements, the mandatory and
optional categories for reporting, and
associated instructions.
E:\FR\FM\09NON1.SGM
09NON1
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 217 / Friday, November 9, 2007 / Notices
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
Each of the categories specified is a
separate reporting component. Federal
agencies will direct recipients to report
on the mandatory category and may also
require reporting on optional categories,
as appropriate. Recipients will not be
required or expected to report on each
of the questions or items listed under a
particular category. They will be
advised to state ‘‘None’’ or ‘‘Nothing to
report’’ if they have nothing significant
to report.
Agencies will utilize the standard
instructions that have been developed
for each category, but may provide
additional program-specific instructions
necessary to clarify a requirement for a
particular program. For example, the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
is required to collect information on
environmental impacts; so under the
following reporting question: ‘‘How has
the project contributed to society
beyond science and technology?’’, the
EPA can direct recipients to specifically
report on the research’s benefit or
impact to the environment.
Agencies also may develop additional
agency- or program-specific reporting
categories and instructions (e.g., the
National Institutes of Health may need
to collect additional information on
clinical trial awards); however, to
maintain maximum uniformity,
agencies will be instructed to minimize
the degree to which they supplement
the standard categories.
III. Invitation to Comment
Input is welcome on any aspect of the
proposed standard reporting categories.
Questions that individuals may wish to
address include, but are not limited to,
the following:
• Are the categories and the elements
appropriate?
• Are there other elements that
should be included under the reporting
categories?
• Should other categories be
mandatory?
• Are the instructions straightforward
and easy to understand?
• Should agencies defer final
implementation until there is a common
solution for collecting the information
electronically? Should agencies use a
downloadable fillable form or webbased form to report progress?
• The RBM Subcommittee may
consider using this format for final
reports as well as progress reports. Is
this proposed format appropriate for a
final report? If so, should recipients be
directed to provide summary
information for the entire project period,
or just for the last period? If not, what
information should be included in a
final report?
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23:48 Nov 08, 2007
Jkt 214001
IV. Paperwork Reduction Act
In furtherance of Pub. L. 106–107, and
its goal of streamlining the Federal grant
process, this proposed format will
reduce the burden on recipients
currently expending time and effort on
a variety of agency-specific forms.
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act
(PRA), OMB assigns a control number to
each ‘‘collection of information’’ that it
reviews and approves for use by an
agency. An agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to, a collection of information
unless the collection of information
displays a valid OMB Control Number.
The PRA also requires agencies to
estimate the burden for each collection
of information. Given that this reporting
format has not yet been utilized by
Federal recipients to report progress on
research awards, it is difficult to
estimate the burden hours associated
with this information collection at this
time. Also, because individual
components of the proposed RPPR are
in a new format, burden hours per
component are uncertain. Depending on
which optional components agencies
select in addition to the mandatory
component, however, burden hours may
be estimated within a range. It should be
noted that burden estimates associated
with forms currently in use range from
a minimum of 5 hours to a maximum of
16 hours, depending on the type of
research project being supported.
Proposed PRA Submission to OMB
Title: Research Performance Progress
Report (RPPR).
OMB Number: 4040–NEW.
Abstract: The Research Performance
Progress Report (RPPR) will establish a
uniform format for reporting
performance on Federally-funded
research projects.
Type of Review: New Collection.
Affected Public: Public or private
institutions, such as universities,
colleges, hospitals, and laboratories;
units of state and local government;
domestic or foreign non-profit and forprofit organizations; and eligible
agencies of the Federal government.
Note that affected public will vary
depending on individual agency and the
type of research being supported.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
The number of Annual Project Reports
that NSF received from 10–01–2006
through 9–30–2007 was 24,603.
Total Estimated Time: The burden
imposed by various agencies will
depend on the number of respondents
using the collection for their programs.
Estimated Time per Respondent:
Estimated time per respondent may
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Sfmt 4703
63631
range from 5 to 16 hours depending on
the type of research being supported.
Total Estimated Out-of-Pocket Costs:
Estimated Out-of-Pocket Cost per
Respondent: Agencies and the public
are asked to comment on:
• 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;
• The accuracy of the agency’s
estimate of the burden of the collection
of information;
• Ways to enhance the quality, utility,
and clarity of the information to be
collected;
• 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;
and
• Estimates of capital or start-up costs
and costs of operation, maintenance,
and purchase of services to provide
information.
Prior to submission of the information
collection request to OMB for final
clearance, however, specific burden
hours associated with interim progress
reporting will be reported by agencies.
Comments submitted in response to this
notice will be summarized and/or
included in the request for OMB
approval.
Dated: November 6, 2007.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science
Foundation.
[FR Doc. 07–5601 Filed 11–8–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555–01–M
NUCLEAR REGULATORY
COMMISSION
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Submission for the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB)
Review; Comment Request
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC).
ACTION: Notice of the OMB review of
information collection and solicitation
of public comment.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The NRC has recently
submitted the following proposal for the
collection of information under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) to
OMB for review. The NRC hereby
informs potential respondents that an
agency may not conduct or sponsor, and
that a person is not required to respond
to, a collection of information unless it
E:\FR\FM\09NON1.SGM
09NON1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 217 (Friday, November 9, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63629-63631]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-5601]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Research Performance Progress Report Format
AGENCY: National Science Foundation (NSF).
ACTION: Request for public comment on a standardized Research
Performance Progress Report (RPPR) format.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF), on behalf of the Chief
Financial Officers Council's Grants Policy Committee, the Grants.gov
Executive Board, and the National Science & Technology Council's
Research Business Models Subcommittee, is soliciting public comment on
a standardized Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) format. The
NSF has agreed to serve as the ``sponsor'' of this Federal-wide format
for receipt of comments under this interagency initiative.
Development of a standardized RPPR is an initiative of the Research
Business Models (RBM) Subcommittee of the Committee on Science (CoS), a
Committee of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). It is
also part of the implementation of the Federal Financial Assistance
Management Improvement Act of 1999 (Pub. L. 106-107). Consistent with
the purposes of that Act, the objective of this initiative is to
establish a uniform format for reporting performance on Federally-
funded research projects.
[[Page 63630]]
Although different Federal agencies utilize a variety of formats for
reporting progress on activities supported by research grants, similar
information is usually collected. These variations increase
administrative effort and costs for recipients of Federal awards and
make it difficult to compare research programs across government.
Development of standard reporting categories will facilitate the
development of a common electronic solution for collecting the
information in lieu of collecting it through numerous agency-unique
reporting forms currently used. In furtherance of Public Law 106-107,
this proposed format will directly benefit award recipients by making
it easier for recipients to administer Federal grant programs through
standardization of the types of research information required in
performance reports. This proposed format is for interim progress
reports only, and once implemented, it is intended to replace other
formats. The NSTC RBM Subcommittee may consider a similar format for
final reports, subsequent to this RPPR initiative. Agencies may use
other OMB-approved reporting formats for specialized research grants,
such as centers/institutes, clinical trials, or fellowship/training
awards.
Each category is in the proposed RPPR is a separate reporting
component. Award recipients would be required to report on the
mandatory category and may be required to report on the mandatory
category and may be required to report on any of the optional
categories as instructed by an awarding agency. Agencies may develop an
agency- or program-specific category, if necessary, to meet
programmatic requirements, although agencies would be instructed to
minimize the degree to which they supplement the standard categories.
Comment is requested on any aspect of the reporting components
proposed, such as appropriateness, feasibility, completeness, or
mandatory specification. The NSF also invites the general public and
other Federal agencies to comment on estimates of burden as required by
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA).
DATES: Comments must be received by January 8, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports
Clearance Officer, Division of Administrative Services, National
Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22230, e-mail
splimpton@nsf.gov; telephone: (703) 292-7556; Fax (703) 292-9188. We
encourage respondents to submit comments electronically to ensure
timely receipt. We cannot guarantee that comments mailed will be
received before the comment closing date. Please include ``Research
Performance Progress Reporting'' in the subject line of the e-mail
message; please also include in the full body of your comments in the
text of the message and as an attachment. Include your name, title,
organization, postal address, telephone number, and e-mail address in
your message.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To view the RPPR format, see: https://
www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/rppr/index.jsp. For information on the
RPPR, contact Jean Feldman, Head, Policy Office, Division of
Institution & Support, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd,
Arlington, VA, 22230, e-mail: jfeldman@nsf.gov; telephone (703) 292-
8243; Fax: (703) 292-9171. For further information on the NSTC RBM
Subcommittee, contact Diane DiEuliis, at the Office of Science and
Technology Policy, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503; e-mail:
ddieuliis@ostp.eop.gov; telephone 202-456-6059; Fax 202-456-6027. See
also the RBM Subcommittee's Internet Web site located at: https://
rbm.nih.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
This project is an initiative of the Research Business Models (RBM)
Subcommittee of the Committee on Science (COS), a committee of the
National Science and Technology Council (NSTC). The RBM Subcommittee's
objectives include:
Facilitating a coordinated effort across Federal agencies
to address policy implications arising from the changing nature of
scientific research; and
Examining the effects of these changes on business models
for the conduct of scientific research sponsored by the Federal
government.
The Subcommittee used public comments, agency perspectives, and
input from a series of regional public meetings to identify priority
areas on which it would focus its initial efforts. In each priority
area, the Subcommittee is pursuing initiatives to promote, as
appropriate, common policy, streamlining of current procedures, or the
identification of agencies' and institutions' ``best practices.'' As
further information about initiatives becomes available, it will be
posted at the Subcommittee's Internet Web site: https://rbm.nih.gov.
The objective of one of the RBM Subcommittee's priority areas is
greater uniformity in the form and content of performance reports that
are required by Federal grants and cooperative agreements awarded under
research programs. Many Federal agencies have their own forms or
formats that recipients must use to report progress on activities
supported by research grants. While agencies use different formats and
different language to request information on progress, they usually
collect similar information. These variations increase the
administrative effort and costs for recipients of Federal awards and
make it difficult to compare research programs across the government.
In furtherance of Pub. L. 106-107, this proposed format will directly
benefit recipients by making it easier to administer Federal grant
programs, through standardization of the types of research information
required in performance reports. It will also facilitate the creation
of a common electronic solution for collecting the information in lieu
of collecting it through the numerous agency-unique reporting forms or
systems currently used by different Federal agencies. The RBM
Subcommittee reviewed all formats currently in use by Federal agencies
for reporting performance on research grants. The reporting categories
used by the NSF were selected as a starting point for designing a
standard format, as hundreds of NSF research programs have used these
categories successfully. The proposed format does not change the
performance reporting requirements in OMB Circulars A-102 and A-110; it
merely provides additional clarification, instructions, and a standard
format for collecting the information.
This proposed format is intended for interim progress reports, not
for use in submission of final reports (see section III. Invitation to
Comment below), and once implemented, it is intended to replace other
formats. The RPPR is intended to address progress for the most recently
completed period, at the frequency required or designated by the
sponsoring agency. Information, once reported, does not have to be
provided again on subsequent reports.
II. Proposed Reporting Categories
The proposed format for interim performance progress reporting on
grants and cooperative agreements awarded under research programs are
available on the NSF Web site at: https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/
rppr/index.jsp. These include the cover page data elements, the
mandatory and optional categories for reporting, and associated
instructions.
[[Page 63631]]
Each of the categories specified is a separate reporting component.
Federal agencies will direct recipients to report on the mandatory
category and may also require reporting on optional categories, as
appropriate. Recipients will not be required or expected to report on
each of the questions or items listed under a particular category. They
will be advised to state ``None'' or ``Nothing to report'' if they have
nothing significant to report.
Agencies will utilize the standard instructions that have been
developed for each category, but may provide additional program-
specific instructions necessary to clarify a requirement for a
particular program. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) is required to collect information on environmental impacts; so
under the following reporting question: ``How has the project
contributed to society beyond science and technology?'', the EPA can
direct recipients to specifically report on the research's benefit or
impact to the environment.
Agencies also may develop additional agency- or program-specific
reporting categories and instructions (e.g., the National Institutes of
Health may need to collect additional information on clinical trial
awards); however, to maintain maximum uniformity, agencies will be
instructed to minimize the degree to which they supplement the standard
categories.
III. Invitation to Comment
Input is welcome on any aspect of the proposed standard reporting
categories. Questions that individuals may wish to address include, but
are not limited to, the following:
Are the categories and the elements appropriate?
Are there other elements that should be included under the
reporting categories?
Should other categories be mandatory?
Are the instructions straightforward and easy to
understand?
Should agencies defer final implementation until there is
a common solution for collecting the information electronically? Should
agencies use a downloadable fillable form or web-based form to report
progress?
The RBM Subcommittee may consider using this format for
final reports as well as progress reports. Is this proposed format
appropriate for a final report? If so, should recipients be directed to
provide summary information for the entire project period, or just for
the last period? If not, what information should be included in a final
report?
IV. Paperwork Reduction Act
In furtherance of Pub. L. 106-107, and its goal of streamlining the
Federal grant process, this proposed format will reduce the burden on
recipients currently expending time and effort on a variety of agency-
specific forms. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), OMB assigns a
control number to each ``collection of information'' that it reviews
and approves for use by an agency. An agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of
information unless the collection of information displays a valid OMB
Control Number. The PRA also requires agencies to estimate the burden
for each collection of information. Given that this reporting format
has not yet been utilized by Federal recipients to report progress on
research awards, it is difficult to estimate the burden hours
associated with this information collection at this time. Also, because
individual components of the proposed RPPR are in a new format, burden
hours per component are uncertain. Depending on which optional
components agencies select in addition to the mandatory component,
however, burden hours may be estimated within a range. It should be
noted that burden estimates associated with forms currently in use
range from a minimum of 5 hours to a maximum of 16 hours, depending on
the type of research project being supported.
Proposed PRA Submission to OMB
Title: Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR).
OMB Number: 4040-NEW.
Abstract: The Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) will
establish a uniform format for reporting performance on Federally-
funded research projects.
Type of Review: New Collection.
Affected Public: Public or private institutions, such as
universities, colleges, hospitals, and laboratories; units of state and
local government; domestic or foreign non-profit and for-profit
organizations; and eligible agencies of the Federal government. Note
that affected public will vary depending on individual agency and the
type of research being supported.
Estimated Number of Respondents: The number of Annual Project
Reports that NSF received from 10-01-2006 through 9-30-2007 was 24,603.
Total Estimated Time: The burden imposed by various agencies will
depend on the number of respondents using the collection for their
programs.
Estimated Time per Respondent: Estimated time per respondent may
range from 5 to 16 hours depending on the type of research being
supported.
Total Estimated Out-of-Pocket Costs:
Estimated Out-of-Pocket Cost per Respondent: Agencies and the
public are asked to comment on:
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;
The accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the
collection of information;
Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected;
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; and
Estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of
operation, maintenance, and purchase of services to provide
information.
Prior to submission of the information collection request to OMB
for final clearance, however, specific burden hours associated with
interim progress reporting will be reported by agencies. Comments
submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included
in the request for OMB approval.
Dated: November 6, 2007.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 07-5601 Filed 11-8-07; 8:45 am]
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