Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; Awardee Reporting Requirements for the Established Program To Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Research Infrastructure Improvement Programs, 67297-67298 [2019-26443]
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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 236 / Monday, December 9, 2019 / Notices
prepare schedules proposing retention
periods for records and submit these
schedules for NARA’s approval. Once
approved by NARA, records schedules
provide mandatory instructions on what
happens to records when no longer
needed for current Government
business. The records schedules
authorize agencies to preserve records of
continuing value in the National
Archives or to destroy, after a specified
period, records lacking continuing
administrative, legal, research, or other
value. Some schedules are
comprehensive and cover all the records
of an agency or one of its major
subdivisions. Most schedules, however,
cover records of only one office or
program or a few series of records. Many
of these update previously approved
schedules, and some include records
proposed as permanent.
Agencies may not destroy Federal
records without the approval of the
Archivist of the United States. The
Archivist grants this approval only after
thorough consideration of the records’
administrative use by the agency of
origin, the rights of the Government and
of private people directly affected by the
Government’s activities, and whether or
not the records have historical or other
value. Public review and comment on
these records schedules is part of the
Archivist’s consideration process.
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Schedules Pending
1. Department of Agriculture, Rural
Development Agency, Audits and
Investigations (DAA–0572–2019–0001).
2. Department of Health and Human
Services, National Institutes of Health,
Management Support Records (DAA–
0443–2019–0005).
3. Department of Health and Human
Services, Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Health, Commissioned
Corps Officers Records (DAA–0514–
2018–0001).
4. Department of Homeland Security,
Transportation Security Administration,
Program Management Files (DAA–
0560–2019–0001).
5. Department of Justice, Office of
Policy and Legislation, Policy and
Legislation Records (DAA–0060–2018–
0005).
Laurence Brewer,
Chief Records Officer for the U.S.
Government.
[FR Doc. 2019–26410 Filed 12–6–19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7515–01–P
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NATIONAL CREDIT UNION
ADMINISTRATION
Sunshine Act: Notice of Agency
Meeting
10:00 a.m., Thursday,
December 12, 2019
PLACE: Board Room, 7th Floor, Room
7047, 1775 Duke Street (All visitors
must use Diagonal Road Entrance),
Alexandria, VA 22314–3428.
STATUS: Open.
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED:
1. NCUA’s 2020–2021 Budget.
2. NCUA’s Rules and Regulations,
Risk-Based Capital.
3. 2020 Share Insurance Fund Normal
Operating Level.
CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Gerard Poliquin, Secretary of the Board,
Telephone: 703–518–6304.
TIME AND DATE:
Gerard Poliquin,
Secretary of the Board.
[FR Doc. 2019–26568 Filed 12–5–19; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 7535–01–P
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Comment Request; Awardee
Reporting Requirements for the
Established Program To Stimulate
Competitive Research (EPSCoR)
Research Infrastructure Improvement
Programs
National Science Foundation.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The National Science
Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans
to renew this collection. In accordance
with the requirements of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, we are providing
opportunity for public comment on this
action. After obtaining and considering
public comment, NSF will prepare the
submission requesting Office of
Management and Budget (OMB)
clearance of this collection for no longer
than 3 years.
Comments: Comments are invited on
(a) 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;
(b) the accuracy of the Agency’s
estimate of the burden of the proposed
collection of information; (c) ways to
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity
of the information on respondents,
including through the use of automated
collection techniques or other forms of
information technology; and (d) ways to
minimize the burden of the collection of
SUMMARY:
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67297
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.
DATES: Written comments on this notice
must be received by February 7, 2020 to
be assured consideration. Comments
received after that date will be
considered to the extent practicable.
Send comments to address below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance
Officer, National Science Foundation,
2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite
W18200, Alexandria, Virginia 22314;
telephone (703) 292–7556; 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).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title of Collection: Awardee Reporting
Requirements for the Established
Program to Stimulate Competitive
Research (EPSCoR) Research
Infrastructure Improvement Programs.
OMB Number: 3145–0243.
Expiration Date of Approval: January
31, 2020.
Type of Request: Intent to seek
approval to renew an information
collection.
Proposed Project: The mission of the
National Science Foundation (NSF) is to
promote the progress of science; to
advance the national health, welfare,
and prosperity; and to secure the
national defense, while avoiding the
undue concentration of research and
education. In 1977, in response to
congressional concern that NSF funding
was overly concentrated geographically,
a National Science Board task force
analyzed the geographic distribution of
NSF funds, which resulted in the
creation of an NSF Experimental
Program to Stimulate Competitive
Research (EPSCoR). The American
Innovation and Competitiveness Act
(Pub. L. 114–329, Sec 103 D) effectively
changed the program’s name from
‘‘Experimental’’ to ‘‘Established’’ in FY
2016. Congress specified two objectives
for the EPSCoR program in the National
Science Foundation Authorization Act
of 1988: (1) To assist States that
historically have received relatively
little Federal research and development
funding; and (2) to assist States that
have demonstrated a commitment to
develop their research bases and
improve science and engineering
E:\FR\FM\09DEN1.SGM
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khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
67298
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 236 / Monday, December 9, 2019 / Notices
research and education programs at
their universities and colleges.
The EPSCoR Research Infrastructure
Improvement (RII) Investment Strategies
advance science and engineering
capabilities in EPSCoR jurisdictions for
discovery, innovation and overall
knowledge-based prosperity. These
projects build human, cyber, and
physical infrastructure in EPSCoR
jurisdictions, stimulating sustainable
improvements in their Research &
Development (R&D) capacity and
competitiveness.
EPSCoR projects are unique in their
scope and complexity; in their
integration of individual researchers,
institutions, and organizations; and in
their role in developing the diverse,
well-prepared, STEM-enabled workforce
necessary to sustain research
competitiveness and catalyze economic
development. In addition, these projects
are generally inter- or multi-disciplinary
and involve effective jurisdictional and
regional collaborations among
academic, government, and private
sector stakeholders that advance
scientific research, promote innovation,
and provide multiple societal benefits.
They also broaden participation in
science and engineering by engaging
multiple institutions and organizations
at all levels of research and education,
and people within and among EPSCoR
jurisdictions. These projects usually
involve between 100 to 300 participants
per year over the performance period,
and the projects reach thousands more
through their extensive STEM outreach
activities. The American Innovation and
Competitiveness Act of 2016, Section
103 (Pub. L. 114–329) requires NSF
EPSCoR to submit annual reports to
both Congress and OSTP that contain
data detailing project progress and
success (new investigators, broadening
participation, dissemination of results,
new workshops, outreach activities,
proposals submitted and awarded,
mentoring activities among faculty
members, collaborations, researcher
participating on the review process,
etc.).
EPSCoR RII Track-1 and Track-2
projects are required to submit annual
reports on progress and plans, which are
used as a basis for performance review
and determining the level of continued
funding. To support this review and the
management of EPSCoR RII projects,
teams are required to develop a set of
performance indicators for building
sustainable infrastructure and capacity
in terms of a strategic plan for the
project; measure performance and revise
strategies as appropriate; report on the
progress relative to the project’s goals
and milestones; and describe changes in
VerDate Sep<11>2014
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strategies, if any, for submission
annually to NSF. These indicators are
both quantitative and descriptive and
may include, for example, the
characteristics of project personnel and
students; aggregate demographics of
participants; sources of financial
support and in-kind support;
expenditures by operational component;
characteristics of industrial and/or other
sector participation; research activities;
workforce development activities;
external engagement activities; patents
and patent licenses; publications;
degrees granted to students involved in
project activities; and descriptions of
significant advances and other outcomes
of the EPSCoR project’s efforts. Part of
this reporting takes the form of several
spreadsheets to capture specific
information to demonstrate progress
towards achieving the goals of the
program. Such reporting requirements
are included in the cooperative
agreement which is binding between the
awardee institution and NSF.
Each project’s annual report addresses
the following categories of activities: (1)
Research, (2) education, (3) workforce
development, (4) partnerships and
collaborations, (5) communication and
dissemination, (6) sustainability, (7)
diversity, (8) management, and (9)
evaluation and assessment.
For each of the categories the report
is required to describe overall objectives
for the year; specific accomplishments,
impacts, outputs and outcomes;
problems or challenges the project has
encountered in making progress towards
goals; and anticipated problems in
performance during the following year.
Use of the Information: NSF will use
the information to continue its oversight
of funded EPSCoR RII projects, and to
evaluate the progress of the program.
The change would facilitate reporting
better aligned with program goals and
provides data as legislatively required
for NSF EPSCoR.
Estimate of Burden: 100 hours per
project for twenty-eight projects for a
total of 2,800 hours.
Respondents: Non-profit institutions;
federal government.
Estimated Number of Responses per
Report: One.
Dated: December 4, 2019.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science
Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2019–26443 Filed 12–6–19; 8:45 am]
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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Sunshine Act Meeting; National
Science Board
The National Science Board’s External
Engagement Committee’s Subcommittee
on Honorary Awards, 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 a teleconference for the
transaction of National Science Board
business, as follows:
TIME AND DATE: December 12, 2019, from
10:30–11:30 a.m. EST.
PLACE: This meeting will be held by
teleconference at the National Science
Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Ave.,
Alexandria, VA 22314.
STATUS: Closed.
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: (1)
Subcommittee Chair’s opening remarks;
(2) Review and discuss candidates for
the 2020 National Science Board
Vannevar Bush Award; and
Subcommittee Chair’s closing remarks.
CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Point of contact for this meeting is:
Faith Hixson, 2415 Eisenhower Ave.,
Alexandria, VA 22314, fhixson@nsf.gov,
(703) 292–7000. Meeting information
and updates may be found at https://
www.nsf.gov/nsb/meetings/
notices.jsp#sunshine. Please refer to the
National Science Board website
www.nsf.gov/nsb for general
information.
Chris Blair,
Executive Assistant to the NSB Office.
[FR Doc. 2019–26606 Filed 12–5–19; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 7555–01–P
NUCLEAR REGULATORY
COMMISSION
[NRC–2019–0125]
Information Collection: Suspicious
Activity Reporting Using the Protected
Web Server
Nuclear Regulatory
Commission.
ACTION: Renewal of existing information
collection; request for comment.
AGENCY:
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC) invites public
comment on the renewal of Office of
Management and Budget (OMB)
approval for an existing collection of
information. The information collection
is entitled, ‘‘Suspicious Activity
Reporting Using the Protected Web
Server.’’
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\09DEN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 236 (Monday, December 9, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67297-67298]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-26443]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request;
Awardee Reporting Requirements for the Established Program To Stimulate
Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Research Infrastructure Improvement
Programs
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to
renew this collection. In accordance with the requirements of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are providing opportunity for
public comment on this action. After obtaining and considering public
comment, NSF will prepare the submission requesting Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) clearance of this collection for no longer
than 3 years.
Comments: Comments are invited on (a) 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; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of
the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information on
respondents, including through the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology; and (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.
DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by February 7,
2020 to be assured consideration. Comments received after that date
will be considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to address
below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance
Officer, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite
W18200, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone (703) 292-7556; 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).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title of Collection: Awardee Reporting Requirements for the
Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Research
Infrastructure Improvement Programs.
OMB Number: 3145-0243.
Expiration Date of Approval: January 31, 2020.
Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to renew an information
collection.
Proposed Project: The mission of the National Science Foundation
(NSF) is to promote the progress of science; to advance the national
health, welfare, and prosperity; and to secure the national defense,
while avoiding the undue concentration of research and education. In
1977, in response to congressional concern that NSF funding was overly
concentrated geographically, a National Science Board task force
analyzed the geographic distribution of NSF funds, which resulted in
the creation of an NSF Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive
Research (EPSCoR). The American Innovation and Competitiveness Act
(Pub. L. 114-329, Sec 103 D) effectively changed the program's name
from ``Experimental'' to ``Established'' in FY 2016. Congress specified
two objectives for the EPSCoR program in the National Science
Foundation Authorization Act of 1988: (1) To assist States that
historically have received relatively little Federal research and
development funding; and (2) to assist States that have demonstrated a
commitment to develop their research bases and improve science and
engineering
[[Page 67298]]
research and education programs at their universities and colleges.
The EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) Investment
Strategies advance science and engineering capabilities in EPSCoR
jurisdictions for discovery, innovation and overall knowledge-based
prosperity. These projects build human, cyber, and physical
infrastructure in EPSCoR jurisdictions, stimulating sustainable
improvements in their Research & Development (R&D) capacity and
competitiveness.
EPSCoR projects are unique in their scope and complexity; in their
integration of individual researchers, institutions, and organizations;
and in their role in developing the diverse, well-prepared, STEM-
enabled workforce necessary to sustain research competitiveness and
catalyze economic development. In addition, these projects are
generally inter- or multi-disciplinary and involve effective
jurisdictional and regional collaborations among academic, government,
and private sector stakeholders that advance scientific research,
promote innovation, and provide multiple societal benefits. They also
broaden participation in science and engineering by engaging multiple
institutions and organizations at all levels of research and education,
and people within and among EPSCoR jurisdictions. These projects
usually involve between 100 to 300 participants per year over the
performance period, and the projects reach thousands more through their
extensive STEM outreach activities. The American Innovation and
Competitiveness Act of 2016, Section 103 (Pub. L. 114-329) requires NSF
EPSCoR to submit annual reports to both Congress and OSTP that contain
data detailing project progress and success (new investigators,
broadening participation, dissemination of results, new workshops,
outreach activities, proposals submitted and awarded, mentoring
activities among faculty members, collaborations, researcher
participating on the review process, etc.).
EPSCoR RII Track-1 and Track-2 projects are required to submit
annual reports on progress and plans, which are used as a basis for
performance review and determining the level of continued funding. To
support this review and the management of EPSCoR RII projects, teams
are required to develop a set of performance indicators for building
sustainable infrastructure and capacity in terms of a strategic plan
for the project; measure performance and revise strategies as
appropriate; report on the progress relative to the project's goals and
milestones; and describe changes in strategies, if any, for submission
annually to NSF. These indicators are both quantitative and descriptive
and may include, for example, the characteristics of project personnel
and students; aggregate demographics of participants; sources of
financial support and in-kind support; expenditures by operational
component; characteristics of industrial and/or other sector
participation; research activities; workforce development activities;
external engagement activities; patents and patent licenses;
publications; degrees granted to students involved in project
activities; and descriptions of significant advances and other outcomes
of the EPSCoR project's efforts. Part of this reporting takes the form
of several spreadsheets to capture specific information to demonstrate
progress towards achieving the goals of the program. Such reporting
requirements are included in the cooperative agreement which is binding
between the awardee institution and NSF.
Each project's annual report addresses the following categories of
activities: (1) Research, (2) education, (3) workforce development, (4)
partnerships and collaborations, (5) communication and dissemination,
(6) sustainability, (7) diversity, (8) management, and (9) evaluation
and assessment.
For each of the categories the report is required to describe
overall objectives for the year; specific accomplishments, impacts,
outputs and outcomes; problems or challenges the project has
encountered in making progress towards goals; and anticipated problems
in performance during the following year.
Use of the Information: NSF will use the information to continue
its oversight of funded EPSCoR RII projects, and to evaluate the
progress of the program.
The change would facilitate reporting better aligned with program
goals and provides data as legislatively required for NSF EPSCoR.
Estimate of Burden: 100 hours per project for twenty-eight projects
for a total of 2,800 hours.
Respondents: Non-profit institutions; federal government.
Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One.
Dated: December 4, 2019.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2019-26443 Filed 12-6-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
