Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY:

National Science Foundation.

ACTION:

Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request.

SUMMARY:

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 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 82 FR 22857 and no comments were 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. The full submission may be found at

http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.

DATES:

Written comments on this notice must be received by August 23, 2017, 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, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1265, Arlington, Virginia 22230; 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).

NSF may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 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:

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Foundation, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Foundation'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 those who are to respond, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Title of Collection:

Graduate Research Fellowship Application.

OMB Approval Number:

3145-0023.

Type of Request:

Intent to seek approval to extend with revision an information collection for three years.

Abstract:

Section 10 of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1861

et seq.

), as amended, states that “The Foundation is authorized to award, within the limits of funds made available * * * scholarships and graduate fellowships for scientific study or scientific work in the mathematical, physical, biological, engineering, social, and other sciences at accredited U.S. institutions selected by the recipient of such aid, for stated periods of time.”

The Graduate Research Fellowship Program has two goals:

• To select, recognize, and financially support, early in their careers, individuals with the demonstrated potential to be high achieving scientists and engineers;

• To broaden participation in science and engineering of underrepresented groups, including women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans.

The list of GRFP Awardees recognized by the Foundation may be found via FastLane through the NSF Web site:

https://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/AwardeeList.do?method=loadAwardeeList.

The GRF Program is described in the Solicitation available at:

https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2016/nsf16588/nsf16588.pdf.

Estimate of Burden:

This is an annual application program providing three years of support to individuals, usable over a five-year fellowship period. The application deadlines are in late October. It is estimated that each submission is averaged to be 12 hours per respondent, which includes three references (on average) for each application. It is estimated that it takes two hours per reference for each applicant.

Respondents:

Individuals.

Estimated Number of Responses:

15,000.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents:

180,000 hours.

Frequency of Responses:

Annually.

Dated: July 18, 2017.

Suzanne H. Plimpton,

Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.

[FR Doc. 2017-15430 Filed 7-21-17; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7555-01-P