[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 57 (Thursday, March 24, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16769-16770]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-06175]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Intent To Seek Approval To Renew an Information 
Collection

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

[[Page 16770]]


ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
renew clearance of this collection. In accordance with the requirements 
of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are providing opportunity 
for public comment on this action. After obtaining and considering 
public comment, NSF will prepare the submission requesting OMB 
clearance of this collection for no longer than 3 years.

DATES: Written comments should be received by May 23, 2022 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, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite 18000W, 
Alexandria, VA 22314, or by email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ddaeadb1b4b0ada9b29db3aebbf3bab2ab"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f182819d989c81859eb19f8297df969e87">[email protected]</span></a>.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne Plimpton on (703) 292-7556 or 
send email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7e0d0e1217130e0a113e100d1850191108"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="85f6f5e9ece8f5f1eac5ebf6e3abe2eaf3">[email protected]</span></a>. 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).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    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; and (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology.
    Title of Collection: ``Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology 
Application Form A and Reference Writer Recommendation.''
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0203.
    Expiration Date of Approval: September 30, 2022.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to renew an information 
collection for three years.
    Proposed Project: Two organizational units within the Directorate 
of Biological Sciences of the National Science Foundation will use the 
NSF Application Form A and recommendation form for the Postdoctoral 
Research Fellowships in Biology Program (https://beta.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/postdoctoral-research-fellowships-biology-prfb). They are 
the Division of Biological Infrastructure (DBI) and the Division of 
Integrative Organismal Systems (IOS). All scientists submitting the NSF 
Application Forms and recommendation forms to these units will be asked 
to complete an electronic version of the forms. The NSF Application 
Form A consists of brief questions about the investigator and the 
substance of the research. The recommendation form consists of brief 
questions about the reference writer and the uploading of a 
recommendation letter drafted by the reference writer.
    Use of the Information: The information gathered with the NSF 
Application Form A and recommendation form serves three main purposes. 
The first is to provide vehicles for applicants to submit applications 
and reference writers to submit recommendations.
    The second is facilitation of the proposal review process. Since 
peer review is a key component of NSF's grant-making process, it is 
imperative that proposals are reviewed by scientists with appropriate 
expertise. The information collected helps ensure that the proposals 
are evaluated by specialists who are well versed in appropriate subject 
matter. This helps maintain a fair and equitable review process.
    The third use of the information is program evaluation. The 
Directorate is committed to investing in a range of substantive areas. 
With data from this collection, the Directorate can calculate 
submission rates and funding rates in specific areas of research. 
Similarly, the information can be used to identify emerging areas of 
research, evaluate changing infrastructure needs in the research 
community, and track the amount of international research. As the 
National Science Foundation is committed to funding cutting-edge 
science, these factors all have implications for program management.
    The Directorate of Biological Sciences has a continuing commitment 
to monitor its information collection in order to preserve its 
applicability and necessity. Through periodic updates and revisions, 
the Directorate ensures that only useful, non-redundant information is 
collected. These efforts will reduce excessive reporting burdens.
    Burden on the Public: The Directorate estimates that an average of 
25 minutes is expended for each application submitted and an average of 
170 minutes is expended for reference writer recommendation added. An 
estimated 930 responses are expected during the course of one year for 
a total of 542 public burden hours annually.
    Expected Respondents: Individuals.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 930.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 930.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 1886 hours.
    Frequency of Responses: On occasion.

    Dated: March 18, 2022.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2022-06175 Filed 3-23-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P


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