Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;

Comment Request

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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Title of Collection: NSF Proposal Review Process (OMB Control No.

3145-0060).

In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on

proposed data collection projects, the National Science Foundation

(NSF) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. To request

more information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the

data collection plans and instruments call Suzanne Plimpton, NSF

Reports Clearance Officer, at (703) 306-1125x2017.

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.

Proposed Project Proposal Evaluation Process

The missions of the NSF are to: increase the Nation's base of

scientific and engineering knowledge and strengthen its ability to

support research in all areas of science and engineering; promote

innovative science and engineering education programs that can better

prepare the Nation to meet the challenges of the future; and promote

international cooperation in science and engineering. The Foundation is

also committed to ensuring the Nation's supply of scientists, engineers

and science educators. In its role as leading Federal supporter of

science and engineering, NSF also has an important role in national

policy planning.

The Foundation fulfills this responsibility by initiating and

supporting merit-selected research and education projects in all the

scientific and engineering disciplines. This support is made primarily

through grants, contracts, and other agreements awarded to

approximately 2,000 colleges, universities, academic consortia,

nonprofit institutions, and small businesses.

The Foundation relies heavily on the advice and assistance of

external advisory committees, ad-hoc proposal reviewers, and to other

experts to ensure that the Foundation is able to reach fair and

knowledgeable judgments. These scientists and educators come from

colleges and universities, nonprofit research and education

organizations, industry, and other Government agencies.

In making its decisions on proposals the counsel of these merit

reviewers has proven invaluable to the Foundation both in the

identification of meritorious projects and in providing sound basis for

project restructuring.

Review of proposals may involve large panel sessions, small groups,

or use of a mail-review system. Proposals are reviewed carefully by

scientists or engineers who are expert in the particular field

represented by the proposal. About one-fourth are reviewed by mail

reviewed by mail reviewers alone. Another one-fourth are reviewed

exclusively by panels of reviewers who gather, usually in Arlington,

VA, to discuss their advice as well as to deliver it. The remaining

one-half are reviewed first by mail reviewers expert in the particular

field, then by panels, usually of persons with more diverse expertise,

who help the NSF decide among proposals from multiple fields or sub-

fields.

Use of the Information

The information collected is used to support grant programs of the

Foundation. The information collected on the proposal evaluation forms

is used by the Foundation to determine the following criteria when

awarding or declining proposals submitted to the Agency: (1) What is

the intellectual merit of the proposed activity? (2) What are the

broader impacts of the proposed activity?

The information collected on reviewer background questionnaires is

used by managers to maintain an automated database of reviewers for the

many disciplines represented by the proposals submitted to the

Foundation. Information collected on gender, race, ethnicity is used in

meeting NSF needs for data to permit response to Congressional and

other queries into equity issues. These data are also used in the

design, implementation, and monitoring of NSF efforts to increase the

participation of various groups in science, engineering, and education.

Confidentiality

Verbatim but anonymous copies of reviews are sent to the principal

investigators/project directors. Subject to this NSF policy and

applicable laws, including the Freedom of Information Act, reviewers'

comments will be given maximum protection from disclosure.

While listings of panelists' names are released, the names of

individual reviewers, associated with individual proposals, are not

released to anyone.

Because the Foundation is committed to monitoring and identifying

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),

the Foundation also collects information regarding race, ethnicity,

disability, and gender. This information is also protected by the

Privacy Act.

Burden on the Public

The Foundation estimates that anywhere from one hour to twenty

hours may be required to review a proposal. It is estimated that

approximately five hours are required to review an average proposal.

Each proposal receives an average of seven reviews.

Send comments to Suzanne Plimpton, Clearance Officer, National

Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, Arlington, VA

22230. Written comments should be received by December 30, 1998.

Dated: October 30, 1998.

Mary Lou Higgs,

Acting NSF Reports Clearance Officer.

[FR Doc. 98-29604 Filed 11-4-98; 8:45 am]

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