Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request, 50692-50695 [2017-23740]
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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 210 / Wednesday, November 1, 2017 / Notices
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the methods may be incorporated into
an existing or new project, including,
but not limited to, projects in the
following typology:
D Data gathering projects. These
projects may include: (1) Observation,
characterization and documentation of
natural phenomena or general
environmental health observations,
opinions, or preferences or (2) surveying
participants or screening environmental
conditions, including using specialized
equipment provided by project leaders
to record and submit data, or submitting
samples plus descriptors (e.g. of air or
water) for testing. Data may be collected
using technologies mentioned above,
through structured data forms, surveys,
focus groups or interviews, submitting
photographs or other media, surveys or
questionnaires, or providing written
observations.
D Classification/problem solving
projects. Participants’ tasks may
include: (1) Observation of recorded
materials provided by project organizers
(images, video, etc.) through structured
data submission forms, surveys or
questionnaires in an online or computer
program, clicking boxes, highlighting
parts of text or image, and providing
comments and/or annotations; (2)
Classification of images or sounds using
structured data submission forms or
clicking boxes in an online or computer
program; (3) Transcribing information,
by typing handwritten logs or notes; (4)
Performing a function meant to generate
human behavior data; or (5) Problemsolving or manipulation of data. Tasks
1–5 may be conducted via structured
actions or instructions or through the
use of ‘‘human-based computational
game’’ or ‘‘game with a purpose’’, a
human-based computational technique
in which a computational process
performs its function by presenting
certain steps to humans in an
entertaining way.
III. Data
Title: NASA Citizen Science.
OMB Number: 2700–XXXX.
Type of review: New information
collection.
Affected Public: Individuals.
Estimated Number of Respondents:
10,000–50,000.
Estimated Time per Response: 5–10
minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Public
Burden Hours: 450,000 to 600,000
hours.
Estimated Total Annual Government
Cost: $100,000.
IV. Request for Comments
Comments are invited on: (1) Whether
the proposed collection of information
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is necessary for the proper performance
of the functions of NASA, including
whether the information collected has
practical utility; (2) the accuracy of
NASA’s estimate of the burden
(including hours and cost) of the
proposed collection of information; (3)
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and (4) ways to minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on respondents, including automated
collection techniques or the use of other
forms of information technology.
Comments submitted in response to
this notice will be summarized and
included in the request for OMB
approval of this information collection.
They will also become a matter of
public record.
Lori Parker,
NASA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017–23744 Filed 10–31–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7510–13–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 on the National
Science Foundation Proposal and
Award Policies and Procedures Guide.
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.
DATES: Comments regarding these
information collections are best assured
of having their full effect if received
December 1, 2017.
ADDRESSES: Comments 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,
2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite
W182000, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 or
SUMMARY:
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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).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Suzanne Plimpton at the address above.
Copies of the submission(s) may be
obtained by calling 703–292–7556.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is the
second notice for public comment; the
first was published in the Federal
Register at 82 FR 32724, and no
comments were 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: https://
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
The National Science Foundation
(NSF) is announcing plans to request
renewed clearance of this collection.
The primary purpose of this revision is
to implement changes described in the
Supplementary Information section of
this notice. 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.
Title of Collection: ‘‘National Science
Foundation Honorary Awards.’’
OMB Approval Number: 3145–0035.
Type of Request: Intent to seek
approval to extend with revision an
information collection for three years.
Abstract: 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
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were converted to electronic submission
through the National Science
Foundation’s (NSF) 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/. Firsttime users must register on the Fastlane
Web site using the link found in the
upper right-hand corner above the ‘‘Log
In’’ box before accessing any of the
honorary award categories. The
nominations for PAESMEM also may be
submitted via www.grants.gov.
Nominations and applications are
submitted on the PAEMST portal at
www.PAEMST.org.
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 (Pub. 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
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
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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.fast
lane.nsf.gov/honawards/medal
Home.do.
• Alan T. Waterman Award. Congress
established the Alan T. Waterman
Award in August 1975 (42 U.S.C. 1881a
(Pub. 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
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50693
Director, NSF, and the National Science
Board (NSB).
Candidates must be U.S. citizens or
permanent residents and must be 35
years of age or younger or not more than
seven 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 mankind 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).
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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 nsbawards@
nsf.gov 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.
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Awards Ceremony
The award recipient is presented with
a medal and honored at the NSF Annual
Awards Ceremony and Dinner in
Washington, DC.
• 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.
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.
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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: nsbawards@nsf.gov.
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: nsbawards@nsf.gov.
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.
Awards Ceremony
Award recipients are presented with a
medal and honored at the NSF Annual
Awards Ceremony and Dinner in
Washington, DC.
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• 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
activity and quality of the mentoring
activity. Nominations for organizational
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
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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, assuming there are qualified
applicants. In even-numbered years,
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:
• Be highly qualified as deemed by
their states, districts, or schools;
• Teach in one of the 50 States, the
District of Columbia, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the
four U.S. territories, including the
Department of Defense Schools
(DoDEA).
• Hold a degree or appropriate
credentials in the category for which
they are applying.
• Be a full-time employee of the
school or school district.
• Have at least 5 years of mathematics
or science teaching (including computer
science) experience prior to application.
• Teach mathematics or science at the
kindergarten through 6th grade level or
at the 7th through 12th grade level in a
public or private school.
• Not have received the national
PAEMST award in any prior
competition or category.
mathematicians, scientists, mathematics
and science educators, and past
awardees that review the application
packets of the state finalists and make
recommendations to NSF. NSF reviews
these recommendations and
recommends one awardee in both
mathematics and science for all eligible
jurisdictions, when possible, to OSTP.
Alternatively, NSF may recommend two
awardees from a discipline in a
jurisdiction, when warranted.
Application Process
• Applicants complete a 12-page
written document on five dimensions of
outstanding teaching (content
knowledge, pedagogy, assessment,
leadership and professional
development) and submit a video of one
class. Three letters of reference
including one from a school official are
required, along with a resume or
biographical sketch.
• The applicant has a 7-month period
(October to May) to complete
applications and submit them for state
review. The nomination period is from
October to April.
Award Ceremony
Review of Nominations
• State coordinators convene state
selection committees of prominent
mathematicians, scientists, mathematics
and science educators, and past
awardees to select up to five
mathematics and five science 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.
• NSF (EHR) convenes a National
Selection Committee of prominent
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. See the
table below for the burden estimates for
each award.
Estimated
annual burden
hours per
response
Estimated
number of
responses
Award
Total
estimated
annual
burden hours
80
70
20
30
200
1,000
20
20
15
15
20
24
1,600
1,400
300
450
4,000
24,000
Totals ....................................................................................................................................
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President’s National Medal of Science ........................................................................................
Alan T. Waterman Award ............................................................................................................
Vannevar Bush Award .................................................................................................................
Public Service Award ...................................................................................................................
PAESMEM ...................................................................................................................................
PAEMST ......................................................................................................................................
1,800
........................
41,350
Respondents: Individuals, businesses
or other for-profit organizations,
universities, non-profit institutions, and
Federal and State governments.
Frequency of Responses: Annually.
Dated: October 27, 2017.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science
Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2017–23740 Filed 10–31–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555–01–P
POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket Nos. MC2018–14 and CP2018–30;
MC2018–15 and CP2018–31; MC2018–16
and CP2018–32; MC2018–17 and CP2018–
33]
New Postal Products
AGENCY:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 210 (Wednesday, November 1, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50692-50695]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-23740]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 on the National
Science Foundation Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide.
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.
DATES: Comments regarding these information collections are best
assured of having their full effect if received December 1, 2017.
ADDRESSES: Comments 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, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite W182000, Alexandria, Virginia
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).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne Plimpton at the address above.
Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling 703-292-7556.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is the second notice for public
comment; the first was published in the Federal Register at 82 FR
32724, and no comments were 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: https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to
request renewed clearance of this collection. The primary purpose of
this revision is to implement changes described in the Supplementary
Information section of this notice. 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.
Title of Collection: ``National Science Foundation Honorary
Awards.''
OMB Approval Number: 3145-0035.
Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to extend with revision an
information collection for three years.
Abstract: 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
[[Page 50693]]
were converted to electronic submission through the National Science
Foundation's (NSF) 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/. First-time users must register on the Fastlane Web site
using the link found in the upper right-hand corner above the ``Log
In'' box before accessing any of the honorary award categories. The
nominations for PAESMEM also may be submitted via www.grants.gov.
Nominations and applications are submitted on the PAEMST portal at
www.PAEMST.org.
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 (Pub. 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 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 re-nominated 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 (Pub. 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
35 years of age or younger or not more than seven 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 mankind 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).
[[Page 50694]]
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.
Awards Ceremony
The award recipient is presented with a medal and honored at the
NSF Annual Awards Ceremony and Dinner in Washington, DC.
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.
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.
Awards Ceremony
Award recipients are presented with a medal and honored at the NSF
Annual Awards Ceremony and Dinner in Washington, DC.
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
activity and quality of the mentoring activity. Nominations for
organizational 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
[[Page 50695]]
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, assuming
there are qualified applicants. In even-numbered years, 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:
Be highly qualified as deemed by their states, districts,
or schools;
Teach in one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia,
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the four U.S. territories,
including the Department of Defense Schools (DoDEA).
Hold a degree or appropriate credentials in the category
for which they are applying.
Be a full-time employee of the school or school district.
Have at least 5 years of mathematics or science teaching
(including computer science) experience prior to application.
Teach mathematics or science at the kindergarten through
6th grade level or at the 7th through 12th grade level in a public or
private school.
Not have received the national PAEMST award in any prior
competition or category.
Application Process
Applicants complete a 12-page written document on five
dimensions of outstanding teaching (content knowledge, pedagogy,
assessment, leadership and professional development) and submit a video
of one class. Three letters of reference including one from a school
official are required, along with a resume or biographical sketch.
The applicant has a 7-month period (October to May) to
complete applications and submit them for state review. The nomination
period is from October to April.
Review of Nominations
State coordinators convene state selection committees of
prominent mathematicians, scientists, mathematics and science
educators, and past awardees to select up to five mathematics and five
science 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.
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 and make recommendations to NSF. NSF reviews these
recommendations and recommends one awardee in both mathematics and
science for all eligible jurisdictions, when possible, to OSTP.
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. See the table below for the
burden estimates for each award.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated Total
Estimated annual burden estimated
Award number of hours per annual burden
responses response hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
President's National Medal of Science........................... 80 20 1,600
Alan T. Waterman Award.......................................... 70 20 1,400
Vannevar Bush Award............................................. 20 15 300
Public Service Award............................................ 30 15 450
PAESMEM......................................................... 200 20 4,000
PAEMST.......................................................... 1,000 24 24,000
-----------------------------------------------
Totals...................................................... 1,800 .............. 41,350
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Respondents: Individuals, businesses or other for-profit
organizations, universities, non-profit institutions, and Federal and
State governments.
Frequency of Responses: Annually.
Dated: October 27, 2017.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2017-23740 Filed 10-31-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
