Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Reinstate Without Revision an Information Collection

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Reinstate Without Revision

an Information Collection

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to

request reinstatement of this collection. In accordance with the

requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of

1995 (Pub. L. 104-13), we are providing an opportunity for public

comment on this action. After obtaining and considering public comment,

NSF will prepare the submission requesting that OMB approve clearance

of this collection for no longer than 3 years.

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by March 16,

1999 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 [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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]. Individuals who use a

telecommunications device for the deaf

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(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 Science Foundation Science Honor

Awards.

OMB Approval Number: 3145-0035.

Expiration Date of Approval: Not applicable.

Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to reinstate an

information collection for three years.

Abstract: The National Science Foundation (NSF) administers several

honorary awards, among them the President's National Medal of Science,

the Alan T. Waterman Award, the NSB Vannevar Bush Award, and the NSB

Public Service Award.

Use of the Information: The Foundation has the following honor

award programs:

President's National Medal of Science. Statutory authority

for the President's National Medal of Science is contained in 42 U.S.C.

1881 (P.L. 86-209), which established the award and stated that ``(t)he

President shall * * * award the Medal on the recommendations received

from the National Academy of Sciences or on the basis of such other

information and evidence as * * * appropriate.''

Subsequently, Executive Order 10961 specified procedures for the

Award by establishing a National Medal of Science Committee which would

``receive recommendations made by any other nationally representative

scientific or engineering organization.'' On the basis of these

recommendations, the Committee was directed to select its candidates

and to forward its recommendations to the President.

In 1962, to comply with these directives, the Committee initiated a

solicitation form letter to invite these nominations. In 1979, the

Committee initiated a nomination form as an attachment to the

solicitation letter. A slightly modified version of the nomination form

was used in 1980. The Committee agreed that such a form standardized

the nomination format, benefiting the nominator, making the Committee's

review process more efficient and permitted better staff work in a

shorter period of time. Form NSF-1122 will be used to further

standardize the nomination procedures, thus continuing to allow for

more effective committee review, and permitting better staff work in a

shorter period of time.

The Committee has established the following guidelines for

selection of candidates:

1. The total impact of an individual's work on the present state of

physical, biological, mathematical, engineering, or social and

behavioral sciences is to be the principal criterion.

2. Achievements of an unusually significant nature in relation to

the potential effects of such achievements on the development of

scientific thought.

3. Unusually distinguished service in the general advancement of

science and engineering, when accompanied by substantial contributions

to the content of science at some time.

4. Recognition by peers within the scientific community.

5. Contributions to innovation and industry.

6. Influence on education through publications, students, etc.

7. Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident who has applied for

citizenship.

Nominations remain active for a period of four years, including the

year of nomination. After that time, candidates must be renominated

with a new nomination package for them to be considered by the

Committee.

Nomination forms should be typewritten, single-spaced using a font

no smaller than 12 characters per inch. Renominations may be submitted

via an updated nomination form.

Alan T. Waterman Award. Congress established the Alan T.

Waterman Award in August 1975 (42 U.S.C. 1881a (P.L. 94-86) and

authorized NSF to ``establish the Alan T. Waterman Award for research

or advanced study in any of the sciences or engineering'' to mark the

25th anniversary of the National Science Foundation and to honor its

first Director. The annual award recognizes an outstanding young

researcher in any field of science or engineering supported by NSF. In

addition to a medal, the awardee receives a grant of $500,000 over a

three-year period for scientific research or advanced study in the

mathematical, physical, medical, biological, engineering, social, or

other sciences at the institution of the recipient's choice.

The Alan T. Waterman Award Committee was established by NSF to

comply with the directive contained in P.L. 94-86. The Committee

solicits nominations from members of the National Academy of Sciences,

National Academy of Engineering, scientific and technical

organizations, and any other source, public or private, as appropriate.

In 1976, the Committee initiated a form letter to solicit these

nominations. In 1980, a nomination form was used which standardized the

nomination procedures, allowed for more effective Committee review, and

permitted better staff work in a short period of time. On the basis of

its review, the Committee forwards its recommendations to the Director,

NSF, and the National Science Board (NSB).

Candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and must be

35 years of age or younger or not more than five years beyond receipt

of the Ph.D. degree by December 31 of the year in which they are

nominated. Candidates should have demonstrated exceptional individual

achievements in scientific or engineering research of sufficient

quality to place them at the forefront of their peers. Criteria include

originality, innovation, and significant impact on the field.

Vannevar Bush Award. The NSB established the Vannevar Bush

Award in 1980 to honor Dr. Bush's unique contributions to public

service. The annual award recognizes an individual who, through public

service activities in science and technology, has made an outstanding

``contribution toward the welfare of mankind and the Nation.''

The Vannevar Bush Award Committee is periodically established by

the NSB to solicit nominations from selected scientific engineering and

educational societies. Candidates must be a senior stateperson who is

an American citizen and who meets two or more of the following

criteria:

1. Who has distinguished him/herself through public service

activities in science and technology.

2. Who has pioneered the exploration, charting and settlement of

new frontiers in science, technology, education and public service.

3. Whose leadership and creativity have inspired others to

distinguished careers in science and technology.

4. Who has contributed to the welfare of the Nation and mankind

through activities in science and technology.

5. Whose leadership and creativity have helped mold the history of

advancements in the Nation's science, technology, and education.

Nomination submissions should be in letter format, accompanied by a

complete biography and a brief citation summarizing the nominee's

scientific or technological contributions to our national welfare in

promotion of the progress of science. Nominations remain active for

three years, including the year of nomination.

Public Service Award. The NSB established the Public

Service Award in November 1996. This annual award recognizes people and

organizations who have increased the public understanding of science or

engineering. The award may be given to an individual and to a group

(company,

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corporation, or organization), but not to members of the U.S.

Government.

Eligibility includes any individual or group (company, corporation

or organization) that has increased the public understanding of science

or engineering. Members of the U.S. Government are not eligible for

consideration.

Candidates for the individual and group (company, corporation or

organization) award must have made contributions to public service in

areas other than research, and should meet one or more of the following

criteria:

1. Increased the public's understanding of the processes of science

and engineering through scientific discovery, innovation and its

communication to the public.

2. Encouraged others to help raise the public understanding of

science and technology.

3. Promoted the engagement of scientists and engineers in public

outreach and scientific literacy.

4. Contributed to the development of broad science and engineering

policy and its support.

5. Influenced and encouraged the next generation of scientist and

engineers.

6. Achieved broad recognition outside the nominee's area of

specialization.

7. Fostered awareness of science and technology among broad

segments of the population.

Nomination Procedures

1. Prepare a summary of the nominee's activities as they relate to

the selection criteria. Include the nominator's name, address and

telephone number, and the name, address, and telephone number of the

nominee, as well as the nominee's vita, if appropriate (no more than

three pages).

2. The selection committee recommends the most outstanding

candidate(s) for each category to the NSB, which approves the awardees.

3. Nominations remain active for a period of three years, including

the year of nomination. After that time, candidates must be renominated

for them to be considered by the selection committee.

4. Nominations should be mailed or faxed to the NSB Public Service

Award Advisory Committee. Electronic mail does not protect

confidentiality and should not be used for this purpose. Facsimile

copies should be followed up by the original, signed document in order

for the nomination to be reviewed by the selection committee.

Estimate of Burden: These are annual award programs with

application deadlines varying according to the program. Public burden

also may vary according to program; however, it is estimated that each

submission is averaged to be 8 hours per respondent for each program.

If the nominator is thoroughly familiar with the scientific background

of the nominee, time spent to complete the nomination may be

considerably reduced.

Respondents: Individuals, businesses or other for-profit

organizations, universities, non-profit institutions, and Federal and

State governments.

Estimated Number of Responses per Award: 137 responses, broken down

as follows: For the President's National Medal of Science, 45; for the

Alan T. Waterman Award, 60; for the Vannevar Bush Award, 12; for the

Public Service Award, 20.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1,242 hours, broken

down by 450 hours for the President's National Medal of Science (10

hours per 45 respondents); 600 hours for the Alan T. Waterman Award (10

hours per 60 respondents); 72 hours for the Vannevar Bush Award (6

hours per 12 respondents); and 120 hours for the Public Service Award

(6 hours per 20 respondents).

Frequency of Responses: Annually.

Comments: 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.

Dated: January 11, 1999.

Suzanne H. Plimpton,

Reports Clearance Officer.

[FR Doc. 99-931 Filed 1-14-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7555-01-U