Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request, 46932 [2019-19233]

Agencies

• Agency for International Development

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 173 (Friday, September 6, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 46932]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-19233]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 173 / Friday, September 6, 2019 / 
Notices

[[Page 46932]]



AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT


Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request

AGENCY: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

ACTION: Notice of information collection.

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SUMMARY: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), as part of 
its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, 
invites the general public and other Federal agencies to review and 
comment on the following new information collection, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Comments are requested concerning; 
whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the 
proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether 
the information shall have practical utility for managing USAID's 
Exchange Visitor program; the accuracy of USAID's estimate of the 
burden of the proposed collection of information; suggestions on how s 
to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on respondents.

DATES: All comments should be submitted within 60 calendar days from 
the date of this publication.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding 
the proposed information collection to Ethel Brooks, USAID, Bureau of 
Economic Growth, Education and Environment (E3)/Office of Education at 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ethel Brooks, USAID, Bureau of 
Economic Growth, Education and Environment (E3)/Office of Education at 
[email protected] or 202-712-4226.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    In support of its development objectives and aim for self-reliance, 
USAID sponsors U.S.-based education and capacity strengthening programs 
for host country nationals, referred to as the Exchange Visitor (EV) 
Program. Exchange Visitors travel to the United States under a J-1 
visa.
    The USAID Bureau of Economic Growth, Education, and Environment, 
Office of Education (E3/ED) manages the Agency's J-1 visa designation 
and ensures the Agency's compliance with Department of Homeland 
Security (DHS) and Department of State (DoS) regulations contained in 
22 CFR 62.1-90. The Office of Education collects Exchange Visitor data 
from USAID's overseas Missions and Implementers, and manages the 
Agency's EV approval process. USAID relies on data to fulfill a 
mandatory Agency function of providing the DHS, including Immigration 
and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the DoS with information about host 
country nationals who study in the U.S. under USAID sponsorship. The 
referenced bio data forms are used to collect such data. The forms 
include a section for collecting data about the individuals': (a) 
Suitability for USAID sponsorship; (b) agreed upon commitment to return 
to the home country and use their newly acquired skills to help solve 
local development problems; (c) agreement to reimburse program costs if 
they fail to comply with USAID's and other U.S. Government Agencies 
Policy requirements; and (d) certification of dependents who accompany 
or visit EVs during their study in the U.S. USAID/Washington and 
Missions also use the data collected through these forms to monitor 
program performance and program completion, along with other management 
interventions. The main purpose is to enable the transfer of effective 
education and capacity interventions to host country governments while 
supporting U.S. national interests. The secondary purpose is to improve 
future planning and use of USAID resources. These objectives are 
aligned with Congressional requirements under the Foreign Assistance 
Act of 1961, as amended. They are also closely aligned with objectives 
of the Journey to Self-Reliance for countries where USAID operates.

II. Method of Collection

    Electronic.

III. Data

    Title: USAID program compliance and management information, 
including Conditions of Sponsorship for U.S. Activities; Exchange 
Visitors Biographical Data; Dependent Certification; Cost Repayment; 
and Conditions of Sponsorship for Third Country Training forms.
    OMB Number: Not assigned.
    Expiration Date: Three years from issuance date.
    Type of Request: Forms Renewal.
    Affected Public: Host country nationals whose study in the U.S. is 
funded by USAID.
    Estimated Total Number of Affected Individual per Year: 1,500-2,000
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: Less than 15 minutes per form, per 
person. Most forms are prepared only once at the inception of the EV's 
program and the form remains valid for the duration of the program. 
Note: The use of forms is situational, not all forms apply to every 
individual. For example, the Cost Repayment Form applies only to the 
small number of individuals who overstay their authorized time in the 
U.S. after completing their studies.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the compliance and management of USAID-
funded Exchange Visitor program; (2) the accuracy of USAID's estimate 
of the burden 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. Comments submitted in response to this 
notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval 
of this information collection. The comments will also become a matter 
of public record.

Stephen Kowal,
Deputy Director, Office of Education, U.S. Agency for International 
Development.
[FR Doc. 2019-19233 Filed 9-5-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6116-02-P