Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 14 / Friday, January 21, 2022 / Notices 3317 

1 ICE, DHS STEM Designated Degree Program 

List, https://www.ice.gov/sites/default/files/ 

documents/stem-list.pdf (last visited Nov. 9, 2021). 

2See SEVP, ‘‘Broadcast Message 1105–02: 

Additions to the STEM-Designated Degree Program 

List,’’ May 12, 2011. 

3See SEVP, ‘‘Broadcast Message 1204–07: 

Additions to the STEM-Designated Degree Program 

List,’’ May 11, 2012. 

4See SEVP, ‘‘Broadcast Message 2102–01: 

Updated DHS STEM Designated Degree Program 

List Available,’’ Feb. 1, 2021, available at https:// 

www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/bcm2102-01.pdf (last 

visited Nov. 9, 2021). 

5While the 2016 STEM Rule provided for 

‘‘additions or deletions to the list,’’ no deletions 

will be made at this time. 

6See SEVP, Eligible CIP Codes for the STEM OPT 

Extension, https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/stemopt-hub/additional-resources/eligible-cip-codes-forthe-stem-opt-extension (last visited Nov. 9, 2021). 

opportunities to advance the vaccine 

system in the United States. The NVAC 

will hear presentations on global 

immunization, vaccinating the 

workforce, correlates of protection, data 

exchange and vaccine safety. Please 

note that agenda items are subject to 

change, as priorities dictate. Information 

on the final meeting agenda will be 

posted prior to the meeting on the 

NVAC website: http://www.hhs.gov/ 

nvpo/nvac/index.html. 

Members of the public will have the 

opportunity to provide comment at the 

NVAC meeting during the public 

comment period designated on the 

agenda. Public comments made during 

the meeting will be limited to three 

minutes per person to ensure time is 

allotted for all those wishing to speak. 

Individuals are also welcome to submit 

written comments in advance. Written 

comments should not exceed three 

pages in length. Individuals submitting 

comments should email their written 

comments or their request to provide a 

comment during the meeting to nvac@

hhs.gov at least five business days prior 

to the meeting. 

Dated: January 9, 2022. 

Ann Aikin, 

Acting Designated Federal Official, Office of 

the Assistant Secretary for Health. 

[FR Doc. 2022–01101 Filed 1–20–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4150–44–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

[Docket No. ICEB–2021–0011] 

RIN 1653–ZA23 

Update to the Department of Homeland 

Security STEM Designated Degree 

Program List 

AGENCY: U.S. Immigration and Customs 

Enforcement (ICE); Department of 

Homeland Security (DHS). 

SUMMARY: This notice announces that 

the Secretary of Homeland Security 

(Secretary) is amending the DHS STEM 

Designated Degree Program List by 

adding 22 qualifying fields of study and 

a corresponding Department of 

Education Classification of Instructional 

Programs (CIP) code for each. The list is 

used to determine whether a degree 

obtained by certain F–1 nonimmigrant 

students following the completion of a 

program of study qualifies as a science, 

technology, engineering, or mathematics 

(STEM) degree as determined by DHS, 

for the F–1 student to be eligible to 

apply for a 24-month extension of their 

post-completion optional practical 

training (OPT). 

DATES: DHS adopts the list announced 

in this notice as of January 21, 2022. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Sharon Snyder, Unit Chief, Policy and 

Response Center Unit, Student and 

Exchange Visitor Program; U.S. 

Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 

500 12th Street SW, Stop 5600, 

Washington, DC 20536–5600; email: 

sevp@ice.dhs.gov, telephone: (703) 603– 

3400. This is not a toll-free number. 

Program information is available at 

http://www.ice.gov/sevis/. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

What action is DHS taking under this 

notice? 

The Department of Homeland 

Security (DHS) is updating the list of 

STEM fields of study that fall within the 

regulatory definition of ‘‘STEM field.’’ 

The list, known as the DHS STEM 

Designated Degree Program List (‘‘STEM 

list’’),1 is used to determine whether a 

degree obtained by an F–1 

nonimmigrant student qualifies as a 

STEM degree, as required for the F–1 

nonimmigrant student to be eligible to 

apply for a STEM OPT extension. 

Similar prior lists were updated through 

Student and Exchange Visitor Program 

(SEVP) Broadcast Messages in 2011 2

and 2012.3 The current list was 

established in connection with a Final 

Rule issued in 2016. In 2021, DHS 

updated the list to include technical 

changes to CIP codes made by the 

Department of Education’s National 

Center for Education Statistics (NCES) 

as part of NCES’s 2020 CIP update.4

Why is DHS taking this action? 

In 2016, DHS published a Final Rule 

providing a 24-month extension of OPT 

for F–1 nonimmigrant students who 

majored in a designated STEM field of 

study. See 81 FR 13039 (Mar. 11, 2016) 

(‘‘Improving and Expanding Training 

Opportunities for F–1 Nonimmigrant 

Students With STEM Degrees and CapGap Relief for All Eligible F–1 

Students’’) (‘‘2016 STEM Rule’’). The 

2016 STEM Rule stated that DHS will 

continue to accept for consideration 

suggested additions or deletions to the 

STEM list and may publish updates to 

the STEM list in the Federal Register. 

Since publication of the 2016 STEM 

Rule, DHS has received from the public 

97 suggested new fields of study to add 

to the STEM list. DHS has not received 

any input from the public suggesting 

fields to remove. DHS is now 

announcing that a number of the fields 

of study submitted for consideration 

will be added to the STEM list.5

Nominators may resubmit a nomination 

with additional supporting views and 

evidence at any time if their original 

submission was not addressed in this 

notice. 

What is OPT and STEM OPT? 

OPT is one type of work permission 

available to certain F–1 nonimmigrant 

students. It allows students (except 

those in English language training 

programs) to obtain real-world work 

experience directly related to their field 

of study. 

The STEM OPT extension is a 24- 

month extension of OPT available to F– 

1 nonimmigrant students who have 

completed 12 months of OPT and 

received a degree in an approved STEM 

field of study as designated by the 

STEM list. 

Who may be impacted by this notice? 

This notice may impact qualifying F– 

1 nonimmigrant students who seek a 24- 

month extension of post-completion 

OPT. 

Where can I find the STEM list? 

The STEM list can be found in the 

docket for this notice and on the SEVP 

website.6

What authority does DHS have to make 

changes to the STEM list? 

The Secretary has broad authority to 

administer and enforce the nation’s 

immigration laws. See generally 6 

U.S.C. 202; Immigration and Nationality 

Act of 1952, as amended (INA), Sec. 

103, 8 U.S.C. 1103. Section 

101(a)(15)(F)(i) of the INA establishes 

the F–1 nonimmigrant classification for 

individuals who wish to enter the 

United States temporarily and solely for 

the purpose of pursuing a full course of 

study at an academic institution or 

accredited language training school 

certified by the U.S. Immigration and 

Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) SEVP. See 

INA Sec. 101(a)(15)(F)(i), 8 U.S.C. 

1101(a)(15)(F)(i). The INA provides the 


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7 See 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(C)(2). 

8The CIP taxonomy is a taxonomic scheme that 

was developed by the Department of Education’s 

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) to 

support the accurate tracking and reporting of fields 

of study and program completion activity. See the 

NCES website (https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/ 

Default.aspx?y=55) (last visited Sept. 22, 2021). 

9 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(C)(2)(i). 

10See Department of Veterans Affairs STEM 

Designated Degree Program List at https://

benefits.va.gov/gibill/docs/fgib/STEM_Program_

List.pdf (last accessed Nov. 2, 2021). 

11See National Science Foundation STEM 

Classification of Instructional Programs Crosswalk 

at https://www.lsamp.org/help/help_stem_cip.cfm 

(last accessed Nov. 2, 2021). 

Secretary with broad authority to 

determine the time and conditions 

under which nonimmigrants, including 

F–1 students, may be admitted to the 

United States. See INA Sec. 214(a)(1), 8 

U.S.C. 1184(a)(1). The Secretary also has 

broad authority to determine which 

individuals are authorized for 

employment in the United States. See 

INA Sec. 274A(h)(3), 8 U.S.C. 

1324a(h)(3). Finally, the Secretary, or 

his or her designee, has authority to 

maintain the STEM list, which is a 

complete list of qualifying degree 

program categories published on the 

SEVP website at http://www.ice.gov/ 

sevis. Changes that are made to the 

STEM list may also be published in a 

notice in the Federal Register. See 8 

CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(C)(2)(ii). 

Who may nominate a CIP code? 

Interested parties, including members 

of the public, may nominate a CIP code 

for inclusion on or removal from the 

STEM list. 

How does DHS assess nominations? 

Nominations to add or remove 

degrees from the STEM list are assessed 

consistent with the authorizing 

regulation.7 As defined in the governing 

regulations, a STEM field is a field 

included in the CIP taxonomy 8 that falls 

within the two-digit series containing 

engineering, biological sciences, 

mathematics and statistics, and physical 

sciences, or a related field, which 

generally involves research, innovation, 

or development of new technologies 

using engineering, mathematics, 

computer science, or natural sciences 

(including physical, biological, and 

agricultural sciences). See 8 CFR 

214.2(f)(10)(ii)(C)(2)(i). This definition is 

widely used by U.S. institutions of 

higher education and provides an 

objective measure by which to identify 

STEM fields of study. 

As noted above, by regulation,9 DHS 

has designated four areas as core STEM 

fields and lists these four areas at the 

two-digit CIP code level. As a result, any 

new additions to those areas are 

automatically included on the STEM 

list. These four areas are: Engineering 

(CIP code 14), Biological and 

Biomedical Sciences (CIP code 26), 

Mathematics and Statistics (CIP code 

27), and Physical Sciences (CIP code 

40). If a degree is not within the four 

core fields, DHS considers whether the 

degree is in a STEM-related field listed 

at the six-digit level. The six-digit 

designation allows for individualized 

review of a specific field of study to 

ensure it meets the ‘‘related field’’ 

criteria of ‘‘involving research, 

innovation, or development of new 

technologies using engineering, 

mathematics, computer science, or 

natural sciences (including physical, 

biological, and agricultural sciences).’’ 

SEVP evaluates submissions to assess 

whether the degree is generally 

considered to be a STEM degree by 

recognized authorities, including input 

from educational institutions, 

governmental entities, and nongovernmental entities. SEVP also 

reviews the NCES definition of the CIP 

code and any supporting material 

submitted by the nominator such as the 

required curriculum for the degree and 

the extent to which it is comprised of 

core STEM disciplines as well as 

research, innovation, and development 

of new technologies using engineering, 

mathematics, computer science, or 

natural sciences (including physical, 

biological, and agricultural sciences). 

The degree requirements and 

curriculum may be assessed across 

academic institutions to ensure that the 

core aspects of the degree are 

sufficiently consistent among 

educational institutions. 

A proposed addition does not have to 

have all supporting elements to be 

added to the STEM list. DHS assesses 

the totality of a submission and may 

approve a proposed CIP code if it 

presents sufficient evidence and 

reasoning to establish that the regulatory 

definition of a STEM field encompasses 

the degree under consideration. 

How may a nomination be submitted? 

Nominations may be submitted by 

email to the SEVP Response Center at 

SEVP@ice.dhs.gov, with the subject line 

‘‘Attention: STEM CIP Code 

Nomination.’’ 

What new fields of study will be added 

to the STEM list? 

The following fields of study are 

being added to the STEM list: 

Bioenergy (03.0210). A program of 

study that focuses on the environmental 

and economic impact of using plants 

and microbes for the production of biobased fuels such as ethanol and 

biodiesel. Includes instruction in 

biochemical engineering, bioprocessing, 

bioseparations, conversion, feedstock, 

economics, environmental 

sustainability, hydrology, and natural 

resource management. This is a new CIP 

code created by NCES and added to its 

decennial 2020 update to the CIP. This 

field of study, as described in the NCES 

definition, is comprised of STEM 

disciplines such as research, innovation, 

and development of new technologies 

using biological science. Bioenergy is 

classified as STEM by the Department of 

Veterans Affairs 10 and the National 

Science Foundation.11

Forestry, General (03.0501). A 

program that generally prepares 

individuals to manage and develop 

forest areas for economic, recreational, 

and ecological purposes. Includes 

instruction in forest-related sciences, 

mapping, statistics, harvesting and 

production technology, natural 

resources management and economics, 

wildlife sciences, administration, and 

public relations. This field of study, as 

described in the NCES definition, is 

comprised of STEM disciplines such as 

research, innovation, or development of 

new technologies using biological 

science. Forestry, General is classified 

as STEM by the Department of Veterans 

Affairs and the National Science 

Foundation. This CIP code nomination 

included the Society of American 

Foresters’ curricular requirements, 

which demonstrated instruction in 

STEM disciplines. 

Forest Resources Production and 

Management (03.0510). A program that 

focuses on the application of forestry 

principles to the production, harvesting, 

and processing of forest resources and 

that prepares individuals to perform 

associated technical and managerial 

functions. Includes instruction in forest 

production and utilization, industrial 

forestry, agroforestry, transplantation, 

timber harvesting, selection and 

identification of trees, processing 

technologies and systems, equipment 

operations and maintenance, and 

related management skills. This field of 

study, as described in the NCES 

definition, is comprised of STEM 

disciplines such as research, innovation, 

or development of new technologies 

using biological science. Forest 

Resources Production and Management 

is classified as STEM by the Department 

of Veterans Affairs and the National 

Science Foundation. This CIP code 

nomination included the Society of 

American Foresters’ curricular 

requirements, which demonstrated 

instruction in STEM disciplines. 


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Human-Centered Technology Design 

(11.0105). A program that focuses on 

incorporating a human perspective into 

designing, researching, and creating 

technological interfaces. Includes 

instruction in design, human-computer 

interaction, learning, neuroscience, 

perception, product design, usercentered design, and usability. This is a 

new CIP code created by NCES and 

added to its decennial 2020 update to 

the CIP. The NCES definition of this 

field of study describes instruction in 

the STEM disciplines such as research, 

innovation, or development of new 

technologies using computer science 

and neuroscience, among other 

disciplines. Human-Centered 

Technology Design is classified as 

STEM by the Department of Veterans 

Affairs and the National Science 

Foundation. 

Cloud Computing (11.0902). A 

program that prepares individuals to 

design and implement enterprise 

software systems that rely on distributed 

computing and service-oriented 

architecture, including databases, web 

services, cloud computing, and mobile 

apps. Includes instruction in data 

management, distributed and cloud 

computing, enterprise software 

architecture, enterprise and cloud 

security, mobile systems and 

applications, server administration, and 

web development. This is a new CIP 

code created by NCES and added to its 

decennial 2020 update to the CIP. The 

NCES definition of this field of study 

describes instruction in the STEM 

disciplines such as research, innovation, 

or development of new technologies 

using computer science. Cloud 

Computing is classified as STEM by the 

Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Anthrozoology (30.3401). A program 

of study that combines anthropology 

and zoology in order to examine the 

relationship between animals and 

humans. Includes instruction in animal 

behavior and communication, animal 

welfare, animal conservation, animal 

training, animal-assisted therapy 

techniques, biology, ethics, and 

education. This is a new CIP code 

created by NCES and added to its 

decennial 2020 update to the CIP. The 

NCES definition of this field of study 

describes instruction in the STEM 

disciplines such as research, innovation, 

or development of new technologies 

using biological science. 

Climate Science (30.3501). A program 

that focuses on the scientific study of 

the climate system of the earth with 

emphasis on the physical, dynamical, 

and chemical interactions of the 

atmosphere, ocean, land, ice, and the 

terrestrial and marine biospheres. 

Includes instruction in biology, 

chemistry, climate analysis, climate 

change adaptation/mitigation, climate 

policy, ecology, energy development, 

environmental impacts, marine 

chemistry, meteorology, and 

oceanography. This is a new CIP code 

created by NCES and added to its 

decennial 2020 update to the CIP. The 

NCES definition of this field of study 

describes instruction in the STEM 

disciplines such as research, innovation, 

or development of new technologies 

using physical and biological sciences. 

Earth Systems Science (30.3801). A 

program that focuses on the interaction 

of the Earth’s oceanographic, 

atmospheric, and terrestrial systems. 

Includes instruction in biogeochemistry, 

climate dynamics, geographical 

information science (GIS), geophysics, 

hydrology, landscape ecology, 

meteorology, and satellite remote 

sensing analysis. This is a new CIP code 

created by NCES and added to its 

decennial 2020 update to the CIP. The 

NCES definition of this field of study 

describes instruction in the STEM 

disciplines such as research, innovation, 

or development of new technologies 

using physical and biological sciences. 

Economics and Computer Science 

(30.3901). A program of study that 

focuses on the theoretical and practical 

connections between computer science 

and economics. Includes instruction in 

data analysis, database design, data 

mining, computer algorithms, 

economics, econometrics, computer 

programing, mathematics, and 

statistics. This is a new CIP code created 

by NCES and added to its decennial 

2020 update to the CIP. The NCES 

definition of this field of study describes 

instruction in the STEM disciplines 

such as research, innovation, or 

development of new technologies using 

mathematics and computer science. 

Environmental Geosciences (30.4101). 

A program that focuses on the scientific 

study of the environmental implications 

of geological processes and human 

activities on Earth. Includes instruction 

in environmental/natural resource 

management, geographic information 

systems (GIS), geology, hydrology, 

regulatory agency compliance, hazard 

identification and mitigation, 

environmental law, environmental 

policy, and sustainability studies. This 

is a new CIP code created by NCES and 

added to its decennial 2020 update to 

the CIP. The NCES definition of this 

field of study describes instruction in 

the STEM disciplines such as research, 

innovation, or development of new 

technologies using biological science 

and computer science. 

Geobiology (30.4301). A program that 

focuses on the scientific study of how 

living things interact with geological 

systems. Includes instruction in 

evolution of Earth systems, 

geochemistry, geology, geomicrobiology, 

marine chemistry, paleobiology, 

paleoecology, paleontology, and 

petrology. This is a new CIP code 

created by NCES and added to its 

decennial 2020 update to the CIP. The 

NCES definition of this field of study 

describes instruction in the STEM 

disciplines such as research, innovation, 

or development of new technologies 

using biological science. 

Geography and Environmental 

Studies (30.4401). A program that 

focuses on interactions between people 

and the natural and built environments. 

Includes instruction in climate science, 

sustainability, environmental science 

and policy, research methods, 

geographic information systems (GIS), 

human geography, physical geography, 

remote sensing, and public policy. This 

is a new CIP code created by NCES and 

added to its decennial 2020 update to 

the CIP. The NCES definition of this 

field of study describes instruction in 

the STEM disciplines such as research, 

innovation, or development of new 

technologies using biological science 

and computer science. 

Mathematical Economics (30.4901). A 

program that focuses on the application 

of mathematical methods to the 

development of economic theory, 

models, and quantitative analysis. 

Includes instruction in data analysis, 

applied business economics, calculus, 

econometrics, linear algebra, 

microeconomic theory, probability, and 

statistical methods. This is a new CIP 

code created by NCES and added to its 

decennial 2020 update to the CIP. The 

NCES definition of this field of study 

describes instruction in the STEM 

disciplines such as research, innovation, 

or development of new technologies 

using mathematics. 

Mathematics and Atmospheric/ 

Oceanic Science (30.5001). A program 

that focuses on the application of 

mathematics to atmospheric and 

oceanic problems. Includes instruction 

in chemistry, physics, atmospheric/ 

ocean dynamics, climatology, weather 

simulation, climate modeling, 

mathematics, oceanography, and 

atmospheric science. This is a new CIP 

code created by NCES and added to its 

decennial 2020 update to the CIP. The 

NCES definition of this field of study 

describes instruction in the STEM 

disciplines such as research, innovation, 

or development of new technologies 

using mathematics and physical 

sciences. 


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3320 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 14 / Friday, January 21, 2022 / Notices 

Data Science, General (30.7001). A 

program that focuses on the analysis of 

large-scale data sources from the 

interdisciplinary perspectives of applied 

statistics, computer science, data 

storage, data representation, data 

modeling, mathematics, and statistics. 

Includes instruction in computer 

algorithms, computer programming, 

data management, data mining, 

information policy, information 

retrieval, mathematical modeling, 

quantitative analysis, statistics, trend 

spotting, and visual analytics. This is a 

new CIP code created by NCES and 

added to its decennial 2020 update to 

the CIP. The NCES definition of this 

field of study describes instruction in 

the STEM disciplines such as research, 

innovation, or development of new 

technologies using mathematics and 

computer science. This CIP code 

nomination included a letter of support 

from the Academic Data Science 

Alliance, which was signed by dozens 

of representatives of institutions of 

higher education and corporate and 

academic entities. 

Data Analytics, General (30.7101). A 

program that prepares individuals to 

apply data science to generate insights 

from data and identify and predict 

trends. Includes instruction in computer 

databases, computer programming, 

inference, machine learning, 

optimization, probability and stochastic 

models, statistics, strategy, uncertainty 

quantification, and visual analytics. 

This is a new CIP code created by NCES 

and added to its decennial 2020 update 

to the CIP. The NCES definition of this 

field of study describes instruction in 

the STEM disciplines such as research, 

innovation, or development of new 

technologies using mathematics and 

computer science. 

Business Analytics (30.7102). A 

program that prepares individuals to 

apply data science to solve business 

challenges. Includes instruction in 

machine learning, optimization 

methods, computer algorithms, 

probability and stochastic models, 

information economics, logistics, 

strategy, consumer behavior, marketing, 

and visual analytics. This is a new CIP 

code created by NCES and added to its 

decennial 2020 update to the CIP. The 

NCES definition of this field of study 

describes instruction in the STEM 

disciplines such as research, innovation, 

or development of new technologies 

using mathematics and computer 

science. This CIP code nomination 

included supporting information on the 

curricula required for the degree, which 

demonstrated instruction in STEM 

disciplines. 

Data Visualization (30.7103). A 

program that prepares individuals to 

organize and derive meaning from data 

by using visual presentation tools and 

techniques. Includes instruction in 

cognitive science, computer 

programming, data management, data 

visualization theory, graphic design, 

infographics, perceptual psychology, 

statistics, and visual design. This is a 

new CIP code created by NCES and 

added to its decennial 2020 update to 

the CIP. The NCES definition of this 

field of study describes instruction in 

the STEM disciplines such as research, 

innovation, or development of new 

technologies using mathematics and 

computer science. 

Financial Analytics (30.7104). A 

program that focuses on financial big 

data modeling from algorithms to cloudbased data-driven financial 

technologies. Includes instruction in 

financial analytics, financial data 

processing, knowledge management, 

data visualization, effective decision 

communication, machine learning for 

finance, statistical inference and 

dynamic modeling on financial data, 

and project management. This is a new 

CIP code created by NCES and added to 

its decennial 2020 update to the CIP. 

The NCES definition of this field of 

study describes instruction in the STEM 

disciplines such as research, innovation, 

or development of new technologies 

using mathematics and computer 

science. 

Data Analytics, Other (30.7199). Any 

instructional program in data analytics 

not listed above. The NCES definition of 

this field of study encompasses any 

related programs not covered by Data 

Analytics, General; Business Analytics; 

Data Visualization; and Financial 

Analytics, which all describe 

instruction in the STEM disciplines 

such as research, innovation, or 

development of new technologies using 

mathematics and computer science. 

This is a new CIP code created by NCES 

and added to its decennial 2020 update 

to the CIP. 

Industrial and Organizational 

Psychology (42.2804). A program that 

focuses on the scientific study of 

individual and group behavior in 

institutional settings, applications to 

related problems of organization and 

industry, and that may prepare 

individuals to apply such principles in 

industrial and organizational settings. 

Includes instruction in group behavior 

theory, organizational theory, reward/ 

punishment structures, human-machine 

and human-computer interactions, 

motivation dynamics, human stress 

studies, environmental and 

organizational influences on behavior, 

alienation and satisfaction, and job 

testing and assessment. The NCES 

definition of this field of study describes 

instruction in the STEM disciplines 

such as research, innovation, or 

development of new technologies using 

mathematics. This CIP code nomination 

included supporting evidence from the 

Society for Industrial and 

Organizational Psychology (SIOP) on 

data-driven research and analysis to 

address human-centered issues in 

institutional and organizational settings 

such as workplace dysfunction and 

employee engagement. The nomination 

also included specific examples 

demonstrating the application of 

statistical analysis to large data sets as 

part of an overall curriculum approach 

and its use in identifying potential 

solutions to human interface problems 

that are increasingly predominant in 

post-industrialized workplaces. These 

examples include case studies of 

industrial and organizational 

psychology methodology specifically 

applied in the government sphere, 

including a National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration grant awarded to 

a SIOP member to study astronaut 

health and performance on longduration missions and the use of 

industrial and organizational 

psychology research and data to 

improve airline safety and assist 

members of the military in transitioning 

to civilian life. The examples are 

indicative of the research inquiry and 

mathematical applications inherent to 

this program of study and how they 

have provided real-world solutions to 

complex problems. 

Social Sciences, Research 

Methodology and Quantitative Methods 

(45.0102). A program that focuses on 

the design of research studies, 

measurement of variables, data 

analysis, and formulation of models. 

Includes instruction in experimental, 

quasi-experimental, and case study 

methods; historical research; 

participant observation; questionnaire 

design; sampling theory; and statistical 

methods. The NCES definition of this 

field of study describes instruction in 

the STEM disciplines such as research, 

innovation, or development of new 

technologies using mathematics. This 

CIP code nomination included a letter of 

support from the National Academies of 

Sciences, Medicine, and Engineering 

and supporting materials from the 

American Sociological Association. 

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) 

Eligible students are required to 

submit a Form I–765, ‘‘Application for 

Employment Authorization,’’ to request 

employment authorization and an 


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Employment Authorization Document, 

and a Form I–983, ‘‘Training Plan for 

STEM OPT Students,’’ to ensure that 

they are receiving the academic and 

training benefits of the STEM OPT 

extension. Consistent with the PRA, the 

Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB) has previously approved the 

collection of information contained on 

the current Form I–765 (OMB Control 

No. 1615–0040) and Form I–983 (OMB 

Control No. 1653–0054). Although there 

could be a slight increase in the number 

of filings for both the Form I–765 and 

Form I–983 because of this notice, the 

number of filings currently contained in 

the OMB annual inventory is sufficient 

to cover any additional filings. 

Accordingly, there is no further action 

required under the PRA. 

Alejandro N. Mayorkas, 

Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland 

Security. 

[FR Doc. 2022–01188 Filed 1–20–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 9111–28–P 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration 

Services 

[OMB Control Number 1615–0144] 

Agency Information Collection 

Activities; Revision of a Currently 

Approved Collection: H–1B 

Registration Tool 

AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and 

Immigration Services, Department of 

Homeland Security. 

ACTION: 30-Day notice. 

SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland 

Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and 

Immigration Services (USCIS) will be 

submitting the following information 

collection request to the Office of 

Management and Budget (OMB) for 

review and clearance in accordance 

with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 

1995. The purpose of this notice is to 

allow an additional 30 days for public 

comments. 

DATES: Comments are encouraged and 

will be accepted until February 22, 

2022. 

ADDRESSES: Written comments and/or 

suggestions regarding the item(s) 

contained in this notice, especially 

regarding the estimated public burden 

and associated response time, must be 

submitted via the Federal eRulemaking 

Portal website at http://

www.regulations.gov under e-Docket ID 

number USCIS–2008–0014. All 

submissions received must include the 

OMB Control Number 1615–0144 in the 

body of the letter, the agency name and 

Docket ID USCIS–2008–0014. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

USCIS, Office of Policy and Strategy, 

Regulatory Coordination Division, 

Samantha Deshommes, Chief, 

Telephone number (240) 721–3000 

(This is not a toll-free number; 

comments are not accepted via 

telephone message.). Please note contact 

information provided here is solely for 

questions regarding this notice. It is not 

for individual case status inquiries. 

Applicants seeking information about 

the status of their individual cases can 

check Case Status Online, available at 

the USCIS website at http://

www.uscis.gov, or call the USCIS 

Contact Center at (800) 375–5283; TTY 

(800) 767–1833. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments 

The information collection notice was 

previously published in the Federal 

Register on September 1, 2021, at 86 FR 

49043, allowing for a 60-day public 

comment period. USCIS received nine 

comments in connection with the 60- 

day notice. 

The information collection instrument 

posted with the 60-day Federal Register 

Notice included changes associated 

with the final rule DHS published on 

January 8, 2021 at 86 FR 1676 titled, 

Modification of Registration 

Requirement for Petitioners Seeking To 

File Cap-Subject H–1B Petitions (RIN 

1615–AC61). On Wednesday, December 

22, 2021 at 86 FR 72516, DHS published 

the Modification of Registration 

Requirement for Petitioners Seeking To 

File Cap-Subject H–1B Petitions, 

Implementation of Vacatur rule (RIN 

1615–AC61). The Paperwork Reduction 

Act (PRA) submission associated with 

the vacatur rule removed the changes 

that would have been made by the 

January 2021 final rule if it had taken 

effect. Accordingly, USCIS has also 

removed those changes from the 

information collection instrument 

posted with this 30-day Federal 

Register Notice and adjusted the burden 

submission accordingly. 

You may access the information 

collection instrument with instructions, 

or additional information by visiting the 

Federal eRulemaking Portal site at: 

http://www.regulations.gov and enter 

USCIS–2008–0014 in the search box. 

The comments submitted to USCIS via 

this method are visible to the Office of 

Management and Budget and comply 

with the requirements of 5 CFR 

1320.12(c). All submissions will be 

posted, without change, to the Federal 

eRulemaking Portal at http://

www.regulations.gov, and will include 

any personal information you provide. 

Therefore, submitting this information 

makes it public. You may wish to 

consider limiting the amount of 

personal information that you provide 

in any voluntary submission you make 

to DHS. DHS may withhold information 

provided in comments from public 

viewing that it determines may impact 

the privacy of an individual or is 

offensive. For additional information, 

please read the Privacy Act notice that 

is available via the link in the footer of 

http://www.regulations.gov. 

Written comments and suggestions 

from the public and affected agencies 

should address one or more of the 

following four points: 

(1) Evaluate whether the proposed 

collection of information is necessary 

for the proper performance of the 

functions of the agency, including 

whether the information will have 

practical utility; 

(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the 

agency’s estimate of the burden of the 

proposed collection of information, 

including the validity of the 

methodology and assumptions used; 

(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and 

clarity of the information to be 

collected; and 

(4) 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, 

e.g., permitting electronic submission of 

responses. 

Overview of This Information 

Collection 

(1) Type of Information Collection 

Request: Revision of a Currently 

Approved Collection. 

(2) Title of the Form/Collection: H–1B 

Registration Tool. 

(3) Agency form number, if any, and 

the applicable component of the DHS 

sponsoring the collection: OMB–64; 

USCIS. 

(4) Affected public who will be asked 

or required to respond, as well as a brief 

abstract: Primary: Business or other forprofit. USCIS will use the data collected 

through the H–1B Registration Tool to 

select a sufficient number of 

registrations projected to meet the 

applicable H–1B cap allocations and to 

notify registrants whether their 

registration was selected. 

(5) An estimate of the total number of 

respondents and the amount of time 

estimated for an average respondent to 

respond: The estimated total number of 


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