Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY:

National Science Foundation.

ACTION:

Submission for OMB review; comment request.

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. This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal Register, and no comments were received. NSF is forwarding the proposed reinstatement 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:

Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

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 Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314, 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).

Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling 703-292-7556.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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.

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; (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 the points of contact in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting Requirements for the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program.

OMB Number: 3145-0224.

Type of Request: Intent to seek approval extend, with revisions, an information collection.

Abstract

Overview of this information collection: The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Reporting Module is a component of the NSF Project Reports System that is designed to gather information about students participating in REU Sites and Supplements projects. All NSF Principal Investigators are required to submit annual and final project reports through Research.gov. If NSF cannot collect information about undergraduate participants in undergraduate research experiences, NSF will have no other means to consistently document the number and diversity of participants, types of participant involvement in the research, and types of institutions represented by the participants.

NSF is committed to providing program stakeholders with formation regarding the expenditure of taxpayer funds on these types of activities, which provide authentic research experiences and related training for postsecondary students in STEM fields.

Background: All NSF Principal Investigators are required to use the project reporting functionality in Research.gov to report on progress, accomplishments, participants, and activities annually and at the conclusion of their project. Information from annual and final reports provides yearly updates on project inputs, activities, and outcomes for agency reporting purposes. If project participants include undergraduate students supported by the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Sites Program or by an REU Supplement, then the Principal Investigator and his or her students are required to complete the REU Reporting Module.

Respondents: Individuals (Principal Investigators and REU undergraduate student participants).

Number of Principal Investigator Respondents: 2,300.

Burden on the Public: 383 total hours.