University Research Initiative Support Program (URISP)

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

32 CFR Part 209

University Research Initiative Support Program (URISP)

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, DoD.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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

SUMMARY: This proposed rule is to comply with section 802 of the

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 (Pub. L. 103-

160), which requires the Department of Defense to establish URISP, and

prescribe a regulation for carrying out the program. URISP is required

to be a competitive university research program for research and

development that is relevant to the requirements of the Department of

Defense, that is set aside for Colleges and Universities that have

received less than $2 million dollars from the Department of Defense

over the two previous fiscal years. URISP is oriented toward assisting

institutions build university research infrastructure in the fields of

science, engineering, and mathematics, so they may become more

competitive.

DATES: Written comments on this proposed rule must be received by May

1, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Forward comments to the Office of Director of Defense

Research and Engineering, Pentagon--3E1045, Washington, DC 20301-3080.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Art McGregor (703) 614-0205.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review''

It has been determined that 32 CFR part 209 is not a significant

regulation action. The rule does not:

(1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or

adversely affect in a material way the economy; a sector of the

economy; productivity; competition; jobs; the environment; public

health or safety; State, local, or tribal governments or communities;

(2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an

action taken or planned by another Agency; (3) Materially alter the

budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs,

or rights and obligations of recipients thereof; or (4) Raise novel

legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the President's

priorities, or the principles set forth in this Executive Order.

Public Law 96-354, ``Regulatory Flexibility Act'' (5 U.S.C. 601)

It has been certified that this rule is not subject to the

Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601) because it would not, if

promulgated, have a significant economic impact on a substantial number

of small entities. The proposed rule does not place any economic

burdens on small entities. The primary effect on grantees administering

this rule will be a reduction in administrative cost and other burdens

resulting from the simplification and clarification of certain policies

and the elimination of policy differences among the Federal Agencies

promulgating this proposed rule.

Public Law 96-511, ``Paperwork Reduction Act'' (44 U.S.C. Chapter 44)

It has been certified that 32 CFR part 209 does not impose any

reporting or record keeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction

Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).

List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 209

Education, Grants, Institutions, and Universities.

Accordingly, title 32, chapter I, subchapter M is proposed to be

amended to add part 209 to read as follows:

PART 209--UNIVERSITY RESEARCH INITIATIVE SUPPORT PROGRAM (URISP)

Sec.

209.1 Purpose.

209.2 Applicability.

209.3 Definitions.

209.4 Policy.

209.5 Responsibilities.

Authority: Sec. 802 of Pub. L. 103-160 (see 10 U.S.C. 2358 note)

Sec. 209.1 Purpose.

This part establishes policy and assigns responsibilities under

section 802 of Public Law 103-160 (see 10 U.S.C. 2358 note).

Sec. 209.2 Applicability.

This part applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the

Military Departments, and Defense Agencies responsible for the majority

of the university basic research grants in the Department of Defense.

Sec. 209.3 Definitions.

(a) American Association of State Colleges and Universities

(AASCU). Institutions that are members of AASCU during the period that

peers are selected.

(b) Eligible Institutions. Institutions that may compete for URISP

funding are those that have received a total of less than $2 million in

obligations from the Department of Defense, over the two previous

fiscal years (FYs). A list of ineligible institutions will be attached

as an appendix to the URISP announcement, and institutions not on the

list are eligible to participate.

(c) Institutions. Institutions of Higher Education that have

accredited, degree-granting programs in science, engineering or

mathematics.

(d) Merit-based selection process. A university-based review using

peers who are members of the faculty or staff of an institution of

higher education that is a member of NASULGC or AASCU (section 802 of

Pub. L. 103-160).

(e) National Association of State Universities and Land Grant

Colleges (NASULGC). Institutions that are members of NASULGC during the

period that peers are selected.

(f) Research Offices. The research office under the Military

Services and Defense Agencies that are responsible for the majority of

the university basic research grants in the Department of Defense.

These are:

(1) Advanced Research Projects Agency.

(2) Air Force Office of Scientific Research.

(3) Army Research Office.

(4) Ballistic Missile Defense Organization.

(5) Office of Naval Research.

Sec. 209.4 Policy.

It is DoD policy that:

(a) The purpose of URISP is to help build the infrastructure in the

fields of science, engineering, and mathematics [[Page 11643]] that are

important to the Department of Defense, through the use of competitive,

multi-year grants to support the conduct of research and development

relevant to requirements of the Department of Defense, at institutions

that have received less than $2.0 million from the Department of

Defense over the 2 previous FYs (section 802 of Pub. L. 103-160).

(b) All URISP funds shall be obligated using a merit-based

selection process. The university peer reviewers shall be from the

faculty and staff of institutions that are members of NASULGC and ASSCU

(section 802 of Pub. L. 103-160).

(c) Institutions eligible to participate in URISP will be

determined using DoD obligation data for the two previous FYs.

Sec. 209.5 Responsibilities.

(a) The Director of Defense Research and Engineering, under the

Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology, shall ensure

that only eligible institutions are allowed to participate in URISP.

The Director of Defense Research and Engineering shall oversee the

approval of any selected scientific topical areas to be included in the

URISP announcement, and the allocation of funds among the research

offices. The URISP shall be reviewed annually and modified as

appropriate to ensure that defense requirements are being met.

(b) The Secretaries of the Military Departments, and the Directors

of the Defense Agencies responsible for the majority of the university

basic research grants, under OSD Principal Staff Assistants, shall

ensure that:

(1) All proposals chosen for URISP funding shall have been selected

through a merit-based selection process using university peer reviewers

selected only from the faculty and staff of institutions that are

members of the NASULGC and AASCU (section 802 of Pub. L. 103-160).

(2) Each project funded under URISP is reviewed annually to

determine if defense requirements are being met.

Dated: February 24, 1995.

L.M. Bynum,

Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.

[FR Doc. 95-5079 Filed 3-1-95; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 5000-04-M