Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request, 56942-56944 [2013-22442]
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INFORMATION
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 179 / Monday, September 16, 2013 / Notices
section for meeting room
numbers.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lisette Voyatzis, Committee
Management Officer, 1100 Pennsylvania
Ave. NW., Room 529, Washington, DC
20506, or call (202) 606–8322. Hearingimpaired individuals are advised that
information on this matter may be
obtained by contacting the National
Endowment for the Humanities’ TDD
terminal at (202) 606–8282.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Meetings
1. Date: October 03, 2013
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Room: 415
This meeting will discuss
applications on the subjects of the
History of Science, Technology and
Medicine for the Humanities Collections
and Reference Resources grant program,
submitted to the Division of
Preservation and Access.
2. Date: October 07, 2013
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Room: 315
This meeting will discuss
applications for the Bridging Cultures at
Community Colleges grant program,
submitted to the Division of Education
Programs.
3. Date: October 08, 2013
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Room: 315
This meeting will discuss
applications for the Bridging Cultures at
Community Colleges grant program,
submitted to the Division of Education
Programs.
4. Date: October 08, 2013
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Room: 415
This meeting will discuss
applications on the subject of World
Studies for the Humanities Collections
and Reference Resources grant program,
submitted to the Division of
Preservation and Access.
5. Date: October 10, 2013
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Room: 415
This meeting will discuss
applications on the subjects of New
World Archaeology and Culture for the
Humanities Collections and Reference
Resources grant program, submitted to
the Division of Preservation and Access.
6. Date: October 17, 2013
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Room: 415
This meeting will discuss
applications on the subjects of U.S.
History and Culture for the Humanities
Collections and Reference Resources
grant program, submitted to the Division
of Preservation and Access.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
18:30 Sep 13, 2013
Jkt 229001
7. Date: October 17, 2013
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Room: 421
This meeting will discuss
applications on the subject of American
Studies for America’s Media Makers:
Production Grants, submitted to the
Division of Public Programs.
8. Date: October 21, 2013
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Room: 421
This meeting will discuss
applications on the subject of U.S.
History for America’s Historical &
Cultural Organizations: Implementation
Grants, submitted to the Division of
Public Programs.
9. Date: October 22, 2013
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Room: 421
This meeting will discuss
applications on the subject of U.S.
History for America’s Media Makers:
Production Grants, submitted to the
Division of Public Programs.
10. Date: October 22, 2013
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Room: 415
This meeting will discuss
applications on the subject of Literature
for the Humanities Collections and
Reference Resources grant program,
submitted to the Division of
Preservation and Access.
11. Date: October 24, 2013
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Room: 421
This meeting will discuss
applications on the subject of Art
History for America’s Historical &
Cultural Organizations: Implementation
Grants, submitted to the Division of
Public Programs.
12. Date: October 28, 2013
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Room: 421
This meeting will discuss
applications on International subjects
for America’s Media Makers: Production
Grants, submitted to the Division of
Public Programs.
13. Date: October 29, 2013.
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Room: 421.
This meeting will discuss
applications on the subject of U.S.
History for America’s Media Makers:
Production Grants, submitted to the
Division of Public Programs.
14. Date: October 29, 2013.
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Room: 415.
This meeting will discuss
applications on the subject of World
Studies for the Humanities Collections
and Reference Resources grant program,
submitted to the Division of
Preservation and Access.
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Frm 00087
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
15. Date: October 30, 2013.
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Room: 415.
This meeting will discuss
applications on the subject of Art
History for the Humanities Collections
and Reference Resources grant program,
submitted to the Division of
Preservation and Access.
16. Date: October 30, 2013.
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Room: 315.
This meeting will discuss
applications for Fellowship Programs at
Independent Research Institutions,
submitted to the Division of Research
Programs.
17. Date: October 31, 2013.
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Room: 421.
This meeting will discuss
applications on the subject of Historic
Sites for America’s Historical & Cultural
Organizations: Implementation Grants,
submitted to the Division of Public
Programs.
Because these meetings will include
review of personal and/or proprietary
financial and commercial information
given in confidence to the agency by
grant applicants, the meetings will be
closed to the public pursuant to sections
552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6) of Title 5
U.S.C., as amended. I have made this
determination pursuant to the authority
granted me by the Chairman’s
Delegation of Authority to Close
Advisory Committee Meetings dated
July 19, 1993.
Dated: September 10, 2013.
Lisette Voyatzis,
Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013–22448 Filed 9–13–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7536–01–P
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Comment Request
National Science Foundation.
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
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 78 FR 40517, and
one comment was received. NSF is
forwarding the proposed submission to
the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) for clearance simultaneously
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\16SEN1.SGM
16SEN1
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 179 / Monday, September 16, 2013 / Notices
with the publication of this second
notice. The full submission (including
comments) may be found at: https://
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
Comments: 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; (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 H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance
Officer, National Science Foundation,
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1265,
Arlington, Virginia 22230 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).
DATES: 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.
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:
Comments: As required by 5 CFR
1320.8(d), comments on the information
collection activities as part of this study
were solicited through publication of a
60-Day Notice in the Federal Register
on July 5, 2013, at 78 FR 40517. We
received one comment, to which we
here respond.
Commenter: The Center for Equal
Opportunity provided the following
comment:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
17:46 Sep 13, 2013
Jkt 229001
We are not sure to what extent (or
why) race and ethnicity will play a role
in this program, but the references to
‘‘minority-serving’’ institutions,
‘‘diversity,’’ and ‘‘underrepresented’’
groups prompt us to ask that it play as
little a role as possible under whatever
statutes are applicable. As you know, it
is generally illegal for the government to
show favoritism or even use
classifications based on race or
ethnicity. See Adarand Constructors,
Inc. v. Pena, 515 U.S. 200, 227 (1995)
(‘‘all racial classifications . . . must be
analyzed by a reviewing court under
strict scrutiny’’). See also Title VI of the
1964 Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. 2000d
(prohibiting discrimination on the basis
of race, color, and national origin in
federally funded programs). Indeed,
such classifications and favoritism are
‘‘presumptively invalid’’ (see Personnel
Administrator v. Feeney, 442 U.S. 256
(1979)).
Response: NSF has standing authority
to support activities to improve the
participation of women and minorities
in science and engineering under the
Science and Engineering Equal
Opportunities Act (Pub. L. 96–516), and
authority to collect data on those issues.
The MRSEC program treats those
issues in a Centers appropriate manner.
The MRSEC program originates from the
transfer of the Interdisciplinary
Laboratories (IDLs) created by the
Advanced Research Projects Agency in
the 1960s. These were transferred to
NSF in 1972, and with modifications,
evolved into the current MRSEC
program, which began in 1994. Under
the requirement of all NSF proposals to
address ‘‘Broader impacts’’ and
authority of Public Law 96–516,
information on diversity in the program,
after the award has been made, has been
collected since the inception of the
program. As noted in a 2007 National
Academies study, ‘‘NSF does not
require that specific activities or
audiences be targeted by the MRSEC,
with the exception of the Research
Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
program, and a general dictum to
broaden participation by
underrepresented groups in the STEM
field.’’
This data collection described in the
Federal Register notice is within the
scope of NSF’s authorization on such
collection, and is only about collecting
data on activities that exist after an
award is made, so there is no favoritism
as suggested by the comment.
After consideration of this comment,
we are moving forward with our
submission to OMB.
Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting
Requirements for Materials Research
PO 00000
Frm 00088
Fmt 4703
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56943
Science and Engineering Centers
(MRSECs).
OMB Number: 3145–NEW.
Type of Request: Intent to seek
approval to establish an information
collection.
Overview of this Information
Collection: The Materials Research
Science and Engineering Centers
(MRSECs) Program supports innovation
in interdisciplinary research, education,
and knowledge transfer. MRSECs build
intellectual and physical infrastructure
within and between disciplines,
weaving together knowledge creation,
knowledge integration, and knowledge
transfer. MRSECs 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.
MRSECs 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. MRSECs capitalize on
diversity through participation in center
activities and demonstrate leadership in
the involvement of groups
underrepresented in science and
engineering.
MRSECs 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, MRSECs will
be required to develop a set of
management and performance
indicators for submission annually to
NSF via the Research Performance
Project Reporting module in
Research.gov and an external technical
assistance contractor that collects
programmatic data electronically. 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 MRSEC effort.
Such reporting requirements will be
included in the cooperative agreement
that is binding between the academic
institution and the NSF.
Each Center’s annual report will
address the following categories of
E:\FR\FM\16SEN1.SGM
16SEN1
56944
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 179 / Monday, September 16, 2013 / Notices
activities: (1) Research, (2) education,
(3) knowledge transfer, (4) partnerships,
(5) shared experimental facilities, (6)
diversity, (7) management, and (8)
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.
MRSECs are required to file a final
report through the RPPR and external
technical assistance contractor. Final
reports contain similar information and
metrics as annual reports, but are
retrospective.
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: 185 hours per
center for 223 centers for a total of 4,070
hours.
Respondents: Non-profit institutions.
Estimated Number of Responses per
Report: One from each of the 22
MRSECs.
Dated: September 11, 2013.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science
Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2013–22442 Filed 9–13–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555–01–P
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Advisory Committee for Geosciences;
Notice of Meeting
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
In accordance with the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–
463, as amended), the National Science
Foundation announces the following
meeting:
Name: Advisory Committee for
Geosciences (1755).
Dates: October 9, 2013, 8:30 a.m.–5:00
p.m.; October 10, 2013, 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Place: Stafford I, Room 1235, National
Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, Virginia 22230.
Type of Meeting: Open.
Contact Person: Melissa Lane, National
Science Foundation, Suite 705, 4201 Wilson
Blvd, Arlington, Virginia 22230. Phone 703–
292–8500.
Minutes: May be obtained from the contact
person listed above.
Purpose of Meeting: To provide advice,
recommendations, and oversight on support
for geoscience research and education
including atmospheric, geo-space, earth,
ocean and polar sciences.
Agenda
October 9, 2013
• Meeting with the Acting Director.
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17:46 Sep 13, 2013
Jkt 229001
• Directorate and NSF activities and plans.
• Topical subcommittees on education/
diversity, facilities, research and cyberinfrastructure.
• COV reports.
October 10, 2013
• Discussion of NSF Education Programs.
• Division Subcommittee meetings.
• Action Items/Planning for Fall Meeting.
Dated: September 11, 2013.
Susanne Bolton,
Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2013–22425 Filed 9–13–13; 8:45 am]
• Nominations Committee
recommendations
Meeting Adjourns: 4:15 p.m.
Ann Bushmiller,
Senior Counsel to the National Science Board.
[FR Doc. 2013–22590 Filed 9–12–13; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 7555–01–P
NUCLEAR REGULATORY
COMMISSION
BILLING CODE 7555–01–P
[Docket No. 40–9091–MLA; ASLBP No. 12–
915–01–MLA–BD01]
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Strata Energy, Inc. (Ross In Situ
Recovery Uranium Project); Notice of
Atomic Safety and Licensing Board
Reconstitution
Sunshine Act Meetings; National
Science Board
The National Science Board, pursuant
to NSF regulations (45 CFR part 614),
the National Science Foundation Act, as
amended (42 U.S.C. 1862n–5), and the
Government in the Sunshine Act (5
U.S.C. 552b), hereby gives notice of the
scheduling of meetings for the
transaction of National Science Board
business, as follows:
DATE AND TIME: September 19, 2013 from
8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and from 4:00
p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
PLACE: The morning meeting will be
held at the University of Washington,
Odegaard Undergraduate Library, Room
220, 4060 George Washington Lane,
Seattle, Washington 98195. It is open to
the public. The afternoon meeting will
be held at the University of Washington,
Gerberding Hall. This meeting is closed
to the public.
STATUS: Portion open; portion closed.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Please refer to
the National Science Board Web site
(https://www.nsf.gov/nsb/notices/) for
additional information and schedule
updates, or contact Jennie Moehlmann,
jmoehlma@nsf.gov, or (703) 292–7000.
The Public Affairs contact is Dana
Topousis, dtopousi@nsf.gov, (703) 292–
7750.
Plenary Board Meeting Agenda
Open Session: 8:00–11:00 a.m.
• Chairman’s introduction and welcome
from the University of Washington
• Presentations and Panel Discussion:
‘‘The Future of Advanced
Cyberinfrastructure for Science and
Engineering, Research and
Education.’’ Moderator, Dr. Kelvin
Droegemeier, NSB Vice-chairman.
• Chairman’s remarks
Plenary Executive Closed Session: 4:00–
4:15 p.m.
• Chairman’s remarks
PO 00000
Frm 00089
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Pursuant to 10 CFR 2.313(c) and
2.321(b), the Atomic Safety and
Licensing Board (Board) in the abovecaptioned Strata Energy, Inc. case is
hereby reconstituted by appointing
Administrative Judge Craig M. White to
serve on the Board in place of
Administrative Judge Kenneth L.
Mossman.
All correspondence, documents, and
other materials shall continue to be filed
in accordance with the NRC E-Filing
rule. See 10 CFR 2.302 et seq.
Issued at Rockville, Maryland this 10th day
of September 2013.
E. Roy Hawkens,
Chief Administrative Judge, Atomic Safety
and Licensing Board Panel.
[FR Doc. 2013–22466 Filed 9–13–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
NUCLEAR REGULATORY
COMMISSION
[Docket No. 72–27; NRC–2011–0115]
Pacific Gas and Electric Company;
Humboldt Bay Independent Spent Fuel
Storage Installation
Nuclear Regulatory
Commission.
ACTION: Environmental assessment and
finding of no significant impact.
AGENCY:
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC) is issuing an
environmental assessment (EA) and a
finding of no significant impact (FONSI)
for an amendment request submitted by
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
(PG&E), on September 8, 2010, as
supplemented, for the Humboldt Bay
Independent Spent Fuel Storage
Installation (ISFSI).
ADDRESSES: Please refer to Docket ID
NRC–2011–0115 when contacting the
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\16SEN1.SGM
16SEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 179 (Monday, September 16, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56942-56944]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22442]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 78 FR 40517, and one comment was received.
NSF is forwarding the proposed submission to the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously
[[Page 56943]]
with the publication of this second notice. The full submission
(including comments) may be found at: https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
Comments: 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; (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 H.
Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201
Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1265, Arlington, Virginia 22230 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).
DATES: 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.
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:
Comments: As required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), comments on the
information collection activities as part of this study were solicited
through publication of a 60-Day Notice in the Federal Register on July
5, 2013, at 78 FR 40517. We received one comment, to which we here
respond.
Commenter: The Center for Equal Opportunity provided the following
comment:
We are not sure to what extent (or why) race and ethnicity will
play a role in this program, but the references to ``minority-serving''
institutions, ``diversity,'' and ``underrepresented'' groups prompt us
to ask that it play as little a role as possible under whatever
statutes are applicable. As you know, it is generally illegal for the
government to show favoritism or even use classifications based on race
or ethnicity. See Adarand Constructors, Inc. v. Pena, 515 U.S. 200, 227
(1995) (``all racial classifications . . . must be analyzed by a
reviewing court under strict scrutiny''). See also Title VI of the 1964
Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. 2000d (prohibiting discrimination on the
basis of race, color, and national origin in federally funded
programs). Indeed, such classifications and favoritism are
``presumptively invalid'' (see Personnel Administrator v. Feeney, 442
U.S. 256 (1979)).
Response: NSF has standing authority to support activities to
improve the participation of women and minorities in science and
engineering under the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act
(Pub. L. 96-516), and authority to collect data on those issues.
The MRSEC program treats those issues in a Centers appropriate
manner. The MRSEC program originates from the transfer of the
Interdisciplinary Laboratories (IDLs) created by the Advanced Research
Projects Agency in the 1960s. These were transferred to NSF in 1972,
and with modifications, evolved into the current MRSEC program, which
began in 1994. Under the requirement of all NSF proposals to address
``Broader impacts'' and authority of Public Law 96-516, information on
diversity in the program, after the award has been made, has been
collected since the inception of the program. As noted in a 2007
National Academies study, ``NSF does not require that specific
activities or audiences be targeted by the MRSEC, with the exception of
the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program, and a general
dictum to broaden participation by underrepresented groups in the STEM
field.''
This data collection described in the Federal Register notice is
within the scope of NSF's authorization on such collection, and is only
about collecting data on activities that exist after an award is made,
so there is no favoritism as suggested by the comment.
After consideration of this comment, we are moving forward with our
submission to OMB.
Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting Requirements for Materials
Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSECs).
OMB Number: 3145-NEW.
Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to establish an
information collection.
Overview of this Information Collection: The Materials Research
Science and Engineering Centers (MRSECs) Program supports innovation in
interdisciplinary research, education, and knowledge transfer. MRSECs
build intellectual and physical infrastructure within and between
disciplines, weaving together knowledge creation, knowledge
integration, and knowledge transfer. MRSECs 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.
MRSECs 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.
MRSECs capitalize on diversity through participation in center
activities and demonstrate leadership in the involvement of groups
underrepresented in science and engineering.
MRSECs 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, MRSECs will be required to develop a set of
management and performance indicators for submission annually to NSF
via the Research Performance Project Reporting module in Research.gov
and an external technical assistance contractor that collects
programmatic data electronically. 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 MRSEC effort. Such reporting
requirements will be included in the cooperative agreement that is
binding between the academic institution and the NSF.
Each Center's annual report will address the following categories
of
[[Page 56944]]
activities: (1) Research, (2) education, (3) knowledge transfer, (4)
partnerships, (5) shared experimental facilities, (6) diversity, (7)
management, and (8) 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.
MRSECs are required to file a final report through the RPPR and
external technical assistance contractor. Final reports contain similar
information and metrics as annual reports, but are retrospective.
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: 185 hours per center for 223 centers for a
total of 4,070 hours.
Respondents: Non-profit institutions.
Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One from each of the 22
MRSECs.
Dated: September 11, 2013.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2013-22442 Filed 9-13-13; 8:45 am]
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