Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Extend Without Revision, a Current Information Collection

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Extend Without Revision, a

Current Information Collection

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted the

following information collection requirement to OMB for review and

clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13.

This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published

in the Federal Register at 64 FR 18639 (April 15, 1999), and no

comments were received. NSF is forwarding the proposed renewal

submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance

simultaneously with the publication of this second notice. Comments

regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for

the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including

whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy

of the agency'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; and (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 email to [email protected].

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.

DATES: Comments regarding this information collection are best assured

of having their full effect if received on or before August 16, 1999.

Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling 703-306-1125 X

2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR COMMENTS ADDITIONAL CONTACT: Suzanne H.

Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201

Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, Arlington, Virginia 22230; telephone (703)

306-1125 X 2017; or send email to [email protected]. You also may obtain

a copy of the data collection instrument and instructions from Ms.

Plimpton.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title of Collection: Fellowship Applications and Award Forms.

OMB Approval Number: 3145-0023.

Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to extend without

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, medical, biological,

engineering, social, and other sciences at appropriate nonprofit

American or nonprofit foreign institutions selected by the recipient of

such aid, for stated periods of time.''

The Foundation Fellowship Programs are designed to meet the

following objectives:

To assure that some of the Nation's most talented students

in the sciences obtain the education necessary to become creative and

productive scientific researchers.

To train or upgrade advanced scientific personnel to

enhance their abilities as teachers and researchers.

To promote graduate education in the sciences,

mathematics, and engineering at institutions that have traditionally

served ethnic minorities.

To encourage pursuit of advanced science degrees by

students who are members of ethnic groups traditionally under-

represented in the Nation's advanced science personnel pool.

The list of fellowship award programs sponsored by the Foundation

includes, but may not be limited to, the following:

NSF Graduate Research Fellowships

NSF Graduate Research Fellowships Including Women in

Engineering and Computer and Information Science Awards (NSF 98-143).

NSF-NATO Postdoctoral Fellowships in Science and

Engineering Including Special Fellowship Opportunities for Visiting

Scientists from NATO Partner Countries (NSF 98-149).

NSF Postdoctoral Fellowships in Science, Mathematics,

Engineering, and Technology Education (NSF 99-17).

Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowships and Supporting

Activities (NSF 94-133).

Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biological

Informatics (NSF 98-162--electronic dissemination only).

International Research Fellow Awards.

Mid-Career Methodological Opportunities (NSF 99-33--

electronic dissemination only).

Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships

(w/Research Instructorship option).

Mathematical Sciences University/Industry Postdoctoral

Research Fellowships.

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Postdoctorals

Awards for U.S. Researchers.

Science and Technology Agency of Japan Postdoctoral Awards

for U.S. Researchers.

Ridge Interdisciplinary Global Experiments Postdoctoral

Research Fellowships.

CISE Postdoctoral Research Associates in Experimental

Computer Science (NSF 97-169).

NSF Earth Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships.

Estimate of Burden: These are annual award programs with

application deadlines varying according to the fellowship program.

Public burden may also vary according to program, however it is

estimated that each submission is averaged to be 12 hours per

respondent.

Respondents: Individuals.

Estimated Number of Responses: 13,000.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 156,000 hours.

Frequency of Responses: Annually.

[[Page 38219]]

Dated: July 9, 1999.

Suzanne H. Plimpton,

Reports Clearance Officer.

[FR Doc. 99-18016 Filed 7-14-99; 8:45 am]

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