[Federal Register: January 26, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 16)] [Notices] [Page 3743-3744] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr26ja05-133] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request AGENCY: National Science Foundation. ACTION: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), and as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, the National Science Foundation (NSF) is inviting the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on this proposed continuing information collection. This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal Register at 69 FR 64114 and one comment was 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. DATES: Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received by OMB within 30 days of publication in the Federal Register. ADDRESSES: Written comments regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of NSF, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of NSF'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; or (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: 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, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, Arlington, Virginia 22230 or send e-mail to splimpto@nsf.gov. Copies of the submission may be obtained by calling (703) 292-7556. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, NSF Reports Clearance Officer at (703) 292-7556 or send e-mail to splimpto@nsf.gov. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information [[Page 3744]] 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. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 3, 2004, we published in the Federal Register (69 FR 64113) a 60-day notice of our intent to request renewal of this information collection authority from OMB. In that notice, we solicited public comments for 60 days ending January 3, 2005. We received one comment regarding this notice. Comment: One commenter wrote about the value of the program. Response: NSF believes that in order to continue funding, program evaluations are necessary. Title of Collection: Evaluation of NSF Support for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (URO). OMB Number: 3145-0121. Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to continue an existing information collection for three years. Abstract: Follow-up Research on Undergraduate Research Opportunities (URO-2). Proposed Project: The National Science Foundation (NSF) manages a number of programs that provide meaningful research experiences for undergraduate students. This suite of programs includes: Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), both the Site and Supplement components; Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI); the undergraduate research components in several of NSF's large research centers programs, e.g., Engineering Research Centers (ERC) Programs, Science and Technology Centers (STCs); and several institution-wide resources development programs in which undergraduate research experiences are often one component. These Programs provide a wide range of US undergraduate students with opportunities to conduct hands-on research under the mentorship of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty in various types of higher education institutions, including small liberal arts colleges, minority-serving institutions, research universities, as well as non-profit institutions in which science or engineering research is conducted. The purpose of the proposed evaluation is to follow-up on undergraduate participants in research experiences supported by NSF who were surveyed in 2003. The 2003 survey collected information about why participants chose to participate in research, the nature of the research activities, effects of research on participants' knowledge, skills, confidence, awareness, and academic career interests and aspirations. The proposed survey will provide information about participants' current academic and employment status (in 2003, most of the respondents were in their senior year of college) and participants' current perceptions of the effects of their undergraduate research experiences on their career and academic decisions. The survey database will be linked to that of the 2003 survey to access differences on a number of dimensions, including NSF program, academic major, type of academic institution, and sex and race/ethnicity of the participant. Use of the Information: NSF and others who design undergraduate research programs will be able to use the information to help design programs that meet the needs of different kinds of students in different kinds of settings. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 30 minutes per response. Respondents: Individuals. Estimated Number of Respondents: 2900. Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1450 hours--2900 respondents at 30 minutes each. Frequency of response: One time. 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; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond. Dated: January 19, 2005 Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation. [FR Doc. 05-1385 Filed 1-25-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7555-01-M