Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request, 36127 [2019-15947]

Agencies

• NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 144 (Friday, July 26, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 36127]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-15947]



[[Page 36127]]

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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Submission for OMB review; comment request.

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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. This is the second 
notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal 
Register, and no comments were received. NSF is forwarding the proposed 
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.

DATES: Comments regarding this information collection are best assured 
of having their full effect if received by August 26, 2019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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 
Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science 
Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 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).
    Copies of the submission may be obtained by calling 703-292-7556.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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.
    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 the points 
of contact in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
    Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting Requirements for 
Partnerships for Research and Education in Materials (PREM).
    OMB Number: 3145-0232.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to renew an information 
collection.
    Overview of this Information Collection: The Partnerships for 
Research and Education in Materials (PREM) aims to enhance diversity in 
materials research and education by stimulating the development of 
formal, long-term, collaborative research and education relationships 
between minority-serving colleges and universities and centers, 
institutes and facilities supported by the NSF Division of Materials 
Research (DMR). With this collaborative model PREMs build intellectual 
and physical infrastructure within and between disciplines, weaving 
together knowledge creation, knowledge integration, and knowledge 
transfer. PREMs 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, with an emphasis on enhancing 
diversity.
    PREMs 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. PREMs 
capitalize on diversity through participation and collaboration in 
center activities and demonstrate leadership in the involvement of 
groups underrepresented in science and engineering.
    PREMs 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 the award PREMs 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. 
These indicators are both quantitative and descriptive and may include, 
for example, the characteristics of personnel and students; sources of 
financial support and in-kind support; expenditures by operational 
component; research activities; education activities; patents, 
licenses; publications; degrees granted to students involved in PREM 
activities; descriptions of significant advances and other outcomes of 
the PREM effort.
    Each PREM's annual report will include the following categories of 
activities: (1) Research, (2) education (3) outreach, (4) partnerships, 
(5) diversity, (6) management, and (7) budget issues.
    For each of the categories the report will describe overall 
objectives for the year, problems the PREM has encountered in making 
progress towards goals, anticipated problems in the following year, and 
specific outputs and outcomes.
    PREMs 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 PREMs, and to evaluate the progress of the program.
    Estimate of Burden: 50 hours per PREM for 15 PREMs for a total of 
750 hours.
    Respondents: Non-profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One from each of the 
fifteen PREMs.

    Dated: July 23, 2019.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2019-15947 Filed 7-25-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P