[Federal Register: January 11, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 8)]
[Notices]
[Page 2456]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11ja01-130]
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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Comment Request: National Science Foundation Proposal/Award
Information--Grant Proposal Guide
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to
request renewed clearance of this collection. In accordance with the
requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) 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 OMB clearance of this collection for no longer
than 3 years.
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 respondents, including through the use of
automated collection techniques or other forms of information
technology.
DATES: Written comments should be received by March 12, 2001 to be
assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be
considered to the extent practicable.
ADDRESSES: Written comments regarding the information collection and
requests for copies of the proposed information collection request
should be addressed to Suzanne Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer,
National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Rm. 295, Arlington, VA
22230, or by e-mail to splimpto@nsf.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne Plimpton on (703) 292-7556 or
send e-mail 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 between 8 a.m. and 8
p.m., Eastern time, Monday through Friday.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title of Collection: ``National Sciences Foundation Proposal/Award
Information-Grant Proposal Guide''
OMB Approval Number: 3145-0058.
Expiration Date of Approval: July 31, 2003.
Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to extend with revision an
information collection for three years.
Proposed Project: The National Science Foundation Act of 1950
(Public Law 81-507) set forth NSF's mission and purpose:
``To promote the progress of science; to advance the national
health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense. * *
*''
The Act authorized and directed NSF to initiate and support:
Basic scientific research and research fundamental to the
engineering process;
Programs to strengthen scientific and engineering research
potential;
Science and engineering education programs at all levels
and in all the various fields of science and engineering;
Programs that provide a source of information for policy
formulation; and
Other activities to promote these ends. Over the years,
NSF's statutory authority has been modified in a number of significant
ways. In 1968, authority to support applied research was added to the
Organic Act. In 1980, The Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities
Act gave NSF standing authority to support activities to improve the
participation of women and minorities in science and engineering.
Another major change occurred in 1986, when engineering was
accorded equal status with science in the Organic Act. NSF has always
dedicated itself to providing the leadership and vision needed to keep
the words and ideas embedded in its mission statement fresh and up-to-
date. Even in today's rapidly changing environment, NSF's core purpose
resonates clearly in everything it does: promoting achievement and
progress in science and engineering and enhancing the potential for
research and education to contribute to the Nation. While NSF's vision
of the future and the mechanisms it uses to carry out its charges have
evolved significantly over the last four decades, its ultimate mission
remains the same.
Use of the Information: The regular submission of proposals to the
Foundation is part of the collection of information and is used to help
NSF fulfill this responsibility by initiating and supporting merit-
selected research and education projects in all the scientific and
engineering disciplines. NSF receives more than 30,000 proposals
annually for new projects, and makes approximately 10,000 new awards.
Support is made primarily through grants, contracts, and other
agreements awarded to approximately 2,800 colleges, universities,
academic consortia, nonprofit institutions, and small businesses. The
awards are based mainly on evaluations of proposal merit submitted to
the Foundation (proposal review is cleared under OMB Control No. 3145-
0060).
The Foundation has a continuing commitment to monitor the
operations of its information collection to identify and address
excessive reporting burdens as well as to identify any real or apparent
inequities based on gender, race, ethnicity, or disability of the
proposed principal investigator(s)/project director(s) or the co-
principal investigator(s)/co-project director(s).
Burden on the Public: The Foundation estimates that an average of
120 hours is expended for each proposal submitted. An estimated 38,000
proposals are expected during the course of one year. These 4,560,000
public burden hours annually.
Dated: January 8, 2001.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
NSF Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 01-841 Filed 1-10-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M