Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; Grantee Reporting Requirements for the Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers (IUCRC) Program, 10195-10196 [2020-03490]

Download as PDF khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 35 / Friday, February 21, 2020 / Notices Abstract: This information collection request (ICR) is pursuant to a cooperative agreement between NEH and the American Historical Association (AHA). The purpose of the survey is to understand how the public perceives, and engages with, history and the work of historians. NEH, AHA, and the many educational and cultural institutions they support will use the information gathered in the proposed survey to create responsive and effective history and other humanities programming to better serve the American people. Most immediately, NEH will use findings from the survey to inform programming for ‘‘A More Perfect Union,’’ the agency’s special initiative advancing civic education and commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026. NEH and AHA are developing the survey in collaboration with an advisory board, regional history experts, and Fairleigh Dickinson University Poll (FDUP), a market research and public interest survey center. In April of 2020, FDUP will administer this internet survey to adults in the United States. Survey questions will concern respondents’ perceptions of history and its significance, their opinions about the work of historians, and their consumption of history in various forms and via a variety of media and experiences. The survey will be voluntary and will collect both qualitative and quantitative information. FDUP will ensure optimal polling methodology and manage the logistics of the data collection. This survey will not collect any personally identifiable information (PII). Affected Public: Survey respondents will be adult individuals in the United States. Frequency of Information Collection: Once. Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,500. Estimated Average Time per Response: 20 minutes. Estimated Total Burden Hours: 500 hours. The estimates for the average time per response and the total burden hours are lower than those provided in the initial Federal Register notice concerning this ICR. After publishing the initial notice, NEH and its survey partners refined the survey questions and response options. While the estimated number of respondents remains the same, NEH now estimates that the average time per response will be 20 (rather than 25) minutes; accordingly, the estimated total burden hours will be 500 (rather than 625) hours. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:22 Feb 20, 2020 Jkt 250001 Request for Comments The public is invited to comment on all aspects of this ICR, including: (a) Whether the proposed 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 the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time needed to review instructions; to develop, acquire, install and utilize technology and systems for the purpose of collecting, validating and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; to train personnel and to be able to respond to a collection of information, to search data sources, to complete and review the collection of information; and to transmit or otherwise disclose the information. Dated: February 14, 2020. Caitlin Cater, Attorney-Advisor, National Endowment for the Humanities. [FR Doc. 2020–03451 Filed 2–20–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7536–01–P NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; Grantee Reporting Requirements for the Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers (IUCRC) Program 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) SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 10195 clearance of this collection for no longer than 3 years. DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by April 21, 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: Grantee Reporting Requirements for the IndustryUniversity Cooperative Research Centers (IUCRC) Program. OMB Number: 3145–0088. Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2020. Type of Request: Revision to and extension of approval of an information collection. Proposed Project The NSF’s Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships (IIP), within the Engineering Directorate, serves a wide range of grantees across 5 major programs. The IUCRC program provides a structure for academic researchers to conduct fundamental, pre-competitive research of shared interest to industry and government organizations. These organizations pay membership fees to a consortium so that they can collectively envision and fund research, with at least 90% of Member funds allocated to the direct costs of these shared research projects. IUCRCs are formed around research areas of strategic interest to U.S. industry. Industry is defined very broadly to include companies (large and small), startups and non-profit organizations. Principal Investigators form a Center around emerging research topics of current research interest, in a pre-competitive space but with clear pathways to applied research and commercial development. Industry partners join at inception, as an existing Center grows, or they inspire the creation of a new Center by recruiting university partners to leverage NSF support. Government agencies participate in IUCRCs as Members or by partnering directly with NSF at the strategic level. E:\FR\FM\21FEN1.SGM 21FEN1 10196 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 35 / Friday, February 21, 2020 / Notices khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Universities, academic researchers, and students benefit from IUCRC participation through the research funding, the establishment and growth of industry partnerships, and educational and career placement opportunities for students. Industry Members benefit by accessing knowledge, facilities, equipment, and intellectual property in a highly costefficient model; leveraging Center research outcomes in their future proprietary projects; interacting in an informal, collaborative way with other private sector and government entities with shared interests; and identifying and recruiting talent. NSF provides funding to support Center administrative costs and a governance framework to manage membership, operations, and evaluation. Sites within Centers will be required to provide data to NSF and/or its authorized representatives (contractors and/or grantees) annually—after the award expires for their fiscal year of activity—for the life of the Phase I, and if applicable, Phase II, and Phase III award(s). Information collected are both quantitative and descriptive; they will provide managing Program Directors a means to monitor the operational and financial states of the Centers and ensure that the award is in good standing. These data will also allow NSF to assess the Centers in terms of intellectual, broader, and commercial impacts that are core to our review criteria. Finally, in compliance with the Evidence Act of 2019, information collected will be used in satisfying congressional requests, and supporting the agency’s policymaking and reporting needs. In addition to the agency’s annual report requirement, Principal Investigators (IUCRC Center and Site Directors) of the awards are required to provide the following information: Center-Related Information • Center Data Reporting Æ A comprehensive annual survey collecting information on structure, funding, membership, personnel, and outcomes of the Center during a given reporting period. A Center must submit data for each fiscal year no later than September 30 of each year of operation, as well as after the award expires to describe its final year of activity. Certification of Membership Æ A list of members and membership fees collected by the Center and certified by the respective university’s Sponsored Research Office (SRO), Total Program Income VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:22 Feb 20, 2020 Jkt 250001 collected during the reporting period, In-kind Contributions during the reporting period, Allocation and Expenditures of each Site’s research funds by project Site Research Projects Summary Æ A list all projects in which the Site participated, including each project’s goals; research tasks; key milestones, metrics/deliverables; developing results or outcomes; project budgets; and personnel. • Assessment Coordinator Report Æ An independent assessment of the annual Center activities (this report is done by an independent evaluator, and uploaded by the Principal Investigator as part of the NSF annual reporting requirement) Logistical Information • IUCRC Directory Æ IUCRCs must provide accurate and current information for the online IUCRC directory (https://iucrc.org/ centers). Instructions for updating and reporting information can be found at https://www.nsf.gov/eng/ iip/iucrc/directory/instructions.jsp Optional • IUCRC Impact Stories for Public Distribution IUCRCs are highly encouraged to submit information on their emerging research highlights and significant breakthrough stories to NSF to showcase their impact to the public and industry (see https:// www.nsf.gov/eng/iip/iucrc), including new products, technology creation and/or enhancements, intellectual property of significant commercial relevance, and major improvements in cost-savings, efficiency, sustainability, productivity, and job growth. Not only do these data provide valuable information on program activities, products, outcomes, and impact, they also help to paint a detailed longitudinal view of the program, provide insights for benchmarking individual Center performance, advancing industryuniversity engagement approaches, strengthening future workforce, and contribute to the Nation’s research and technology ecosystem. Use of the Information: The information collected is for internal use by NSF, congressional requests, and for securing future funding for continued IUCRC program maintenance and growth. Estimate Burden on the Public: Estimated at 16 hours per award for 250 sites for a total of 4,000 hours (per year). PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Respondents: IUCRC Awardees (Academic Institutions). Estimated Number of Respondents: One from each IUCRC site (estimated: 250 active sites/year). 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. Dated: February 18, 2020. Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation. [FR Doc. 2020–03490 Filed 2–20–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7555–01–P NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; Grantee Reporting Requirements for NSF SBIR/ STTR Program National Science Foundation. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to establish 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. DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by April 21, 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 SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\21FEN1.SGM 21FEN1

Agencies

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 35 (Friday, February 21, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10195-10196]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-03490]


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-----------------------------------------------------------------------

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; 
Grantee Reporting Requirements for the Industry-University Cooperative 
Research Centers (IUCRC) Program

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.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by April 21, 
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: Grantee Reporting Requirements for the 
Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers (IUCRC) Program.
    OMB Number: 3145-0088.
    Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2020.
    Type of Request: Revision to and extension of approval of an 
information collection.

Proposed Project

    The NSF's Division of Industrial Innovation and Partnerships (IIP), 
within the Engineering Directorate, serves a wide range of grantees 
across 5 major programs.
    The IUCRC program provides a structure for academic researchers to 
conduct fundamental, pre-competitive research of shared interest to 
industry and government organizations. These organizations pay 
membership fees to a consortium so that they can collectively envision 
and fund research, with at least 90% of Member funds allocated to the 
direct costs of these shared research projects.
    IUCRCs are formed around research areas of strategic interest to 
U.S. industry. Industry is defined very broadly to include companies 
(large and small), startups and non-profit organizations. Principal 
Investigators form a Center around emerging research topics of current 
research interest, in a pre-competitive space but with clear pathways 
to applied research and commercial development. Industry partners join 
at inception, as an existing Center grows, or they inspire the creation 
of a new Center by recruiting university partners to leverage NSF 
support. Government agencies participate in IUCRCs as Members or by 
partnering directly with NSF at the strategic level.

[[Page 10196]]

    Universities, academic researchers, and students benefit from IUCRC 
participation through the research funding, the establishment and 
growth of industry partnerships, and educational and career placement 
opportunities for students. Industry Members benefit by accessing 
knowledge, facilities, equipment, and intellectual property in a highly 
cost-efficient model; leveraging Center research outcomes in their 
future proprietary projects; interacting in an informal, collaborative 
way with other private sector and government entities with shared 
interests; and identifying and recruiting talent. NSF provides funding 
to support Center administrative costs and a governance framework to 
manage membership, operations, and evaluation.
    Sites within Centers will be required to provide data to NSF and/or 
its authorized representatives (contractors and/or grantees) annually--
after the award expires for their fiscal year of activity--for the life 
of the Phase I, and if applicable, Phase II, and Phase III award(s).
    Information collected are both quantitative and descriptive; they 
will provide managing Program Directors a means to monitor the 
operational and financial states of the Centers and ensure that the 
award is in good standing. These data will also allow NSF to assess the 
Centers in terms of intellectual, broader, and commercial impacts that 
are core to our review criteria. Finally, in compliance with the 
Evidence Act of 2019, information collected will be used in satisfying 
congressional requests, and supporting the agency's policymaking and 
reporting needs.
    In addition to the agency's annual report requirement, Principal 
Investigators (IUCRC Center and Site Directors) of the awards are 
required to provide the following information:

Center-Related Information

     Center Data Reporting
    [cir] A comprehensive annual survey collecting information on 
structure, funding, membership, personnel, and outcomes of the Center 
during a given reporting period. A Center must submit data for each 
fiscal year no later than September 30 of each year of operation, as 
well as after the award expires to describe its final year of activity.
Certification of Membership
    [cir] A list of members and membership fees collected by the Center 
and certified by the respective university's Sponsored Research Office 
(SRO), Total Program Income collected during the reporting period, In-
kind Contributions during the reporting period, Allocation and 
Expenditures of each Site's research funds by project
Site Research Projects Summary
    [cir] A list all projects in which the Site participated, including 
each project's goals; research tasks; key milestones, metrics/
deliverables; developing results or outcomes; project budgets; and 
personnel.
 Assessment Coordinator Report
    [cir] An independent assessment of the annual Center activities 
(this report is done by an independent evaluator, and uploaded by the 
Principal Investigator as part of the NSF annual reporting requirement)

Logistical Information

 IUCRC Directory
    [cir] IUCRCs must provide accurate and current information for the 
online IUCRC directory (https://iucrc.org/centers). Instructions for 
updating and reporting information can be found at https://www.nsf.gov/eng/iip/iucrc/directory/instructions.jsp

Optional

 IUCRC Impact Stories for Public Distribution
    IUCRCs are highly encouraged to submit information on their 
emerging research highlights and significant breakthrough stories to 
NSF to showcase their impact to the public and industry (see https://www.nsf.gov/eng/iip/iucrc), including new products, technology creation 
and/or enhancements, intellectual property of significant commercial 
relevance, and major improvements in cost-savings, efficiency, 
sustainability, productivity, and job growth.

    Not only do these data provide valuable information on program 
activities, products, outcomes, and impact, they also help to paint a 
detailed longitudinal view of the program, provide insights for 
benchmarking individual Center performance, advancing industry-
university engagement approaches, strengthening future workforce, and 
contribute to the Nation's research and technology ecosystem.
    Use of the Information: The information collected is for internal 
use by NSF, congressional requests, and for securing future funding for 
continued IUCRC program maintenance and growth.
    Estimate Burden on the Public: Estimated at 16 hours per award for 
250 sites for a total of 4,000 hours (per year).
    Respondents: IUCRC Awardees (Academic Institutions).
    Estimated Number of Respondents: One from each IUCRC site 
(estimated: 250 active sites/year).
    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.

    Dated: February 18, 2020.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2020-03490 Filed 2-20-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7555-01-P

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