### 73453 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 237 / Monday, December 10, 2012 / Notices

of grace periods for these patents. This study would support the USPTO’s efforts to be a leader on intellectual property matters internationally and to promote efficiency and cooperation in the global patent system.

The USPTO plans to survey scientific researchers affiliated with select European universities who have published journal articles disclosing potentially patentable materials during a five year period. The universities will be selected from the Times Higher Education university rankings for specific, patent-intensive research areas.

The USPTO envisions that the respondents will be surveyed only once. The survey may be distributed in waves for convenience.

The Grace Period Study survey will be an electronic survey. The cover letter that will be distributed with the survey will reference the journal article used to identify the respondent, explain why the USPTO is conducting the survey, explain that the responses will be kept confidential, and provide instructionson how to access the survey. Preresponse and reminder letters, inaddition to a brief non-response followup for a small sample of nonrespondents, will be used to encourage response from the sample members.

This is a voluntary survey and all responses will remain confidential. The collected data will not be linked to the respondent and contact information that is used for sampling purposes will be maintained in a separate file from the quantitative data. Respondents are not required to provide any identifying information such as their name, address, or Social Security Number. In order to access and complete the online survey, respondents will need to use a username, password, and survey ID number.

II. Method of Collection

Electronically over the Internet through a secure, third-party survey distributor using access information supplied by IIPI.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0651–00xx. Form Number(s): No form numbers. Type of Review: New information collection.

Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profits and non-profit institutions.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 420 responses per year. The USPTO estimates that no responses will be received from small entities. Out of a sample size of 3,000, the USPTO estimates that 420 completed surveys will be received, for a response rate of 14%. This estimate is based on the response rate of a similar survey of German researchers conducted by the German Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF).

Estimated Time per Response: The USPTO estimates that it will take approximately 10 minutes (0.17 hours) to complete this survey. This estimated time includes reading the instructions for the survey, gathering the necessary information, completing the survey, and submitting it to the USPTO.

Estimated Total Annual Respondent Burden Hours: 71 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Respondent Cost Burden: $3,287. The USPTO estimates that scientists will be completing these surveys and that their hourly rate will be comparable to the hourly rate for scientists in the United States. Using the hourly mean rate of $46.29 from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for physical scientists and others, the USPTO estimates $3,287 per year for the respondent cost burden for this collection.

Item Estimated time for response (min) Estimated annual responses Estimated annual burden hours

Grace Period Study Survey ...................................................................................................... ... 10 420 71

Totals ......................................................................................................................... ........... ........................ 420 71

Estimated Total Annual Non-hour Respondent Cost Burden: $0. There are no annual (non-hour) costs for this information collection. The USPTO covers the costs of all survey materials. IV. Request for 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 (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (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 respondents, e.g., the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

Dated: December 4, 2012. Susan K. Fawcett, Records Officer, USPTO, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2012–29637 Filed 12–7–12; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 3510–16–P**

**CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE** 

**Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request** 

**AGENCY :**  Corporation for National and Community Service.

**ACTION :**  Notice.

**SUMMARY :**  The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general public and federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirement on respondents can be properly assessed.

Currently, CNCS is soliciting comments concerning its proposed renewal of its Senior Corps Project Progress Report (PPR) (OMB Control Number 3045–0033). The Senior Corps PPR has two components: (1) Narratives and work plans, and (2) the Progress Report Supplement (PRS), which is an annual survey of volunteer demographics and grantee characteristics. The resulting data is used by grantees and the CNCS to track performance, as well as to identify trends and to support management and


### 73454 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 237 / Monday, December 10, 2012 / Notices

analysis. In conjunction with the PPR renewal, CNCS proposes to change the PPR reporting frequency of narrativesand work plans from annual to semiannual submission.

Copies of the information collection requests can be obtained by contacting the office listed in the address section of this notice.

**DATES :**  Written comments must be submitted to the individual and office listed in the **ADDRESSES** section by February 8, 2013.

**ADDRESSES :**  You may submit comments, identified by the title of the information collection activity, by any of the following methods:

(1) By mail sent to: Corporation for National and Community Service, Senior Corps; Attention Ms. Angela Roberts, Associate Director, Room 9401; 1201 New York Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20525.

(2) By hand delivery or by courier to the CNCS mailroom on the 8th Floor at the mail address given in paragraph (1) above, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

(3) By fax to: (202) 606–3475, Attention Ms. Angela Roberts, Associate Director

(4) Electronically through www.regulations.gov. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TTY–TDD) may call 1–800–833– 3722 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Angela Roberts, (202) 606–6822 or by email at aroberts@cns.gov

. **SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  CNCS is particularly interested in comments that:

• Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of CNCS, including whether the information will have practical utility;

• 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;

• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

• Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are expected to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology (e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses). Background The Progress Report (PPR) was designed to ensure that grantees of the Senior Corps’ programs (RSVP, Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Programs) address and fulfill legislated program purposes; meet agency program management and grant requirements; track and measure progress to benefit the local project and its contributions to senior volunteers and the community; and to report progress toward work plan objectives agreed upon in the granting of the award.

Current Action

CNCS seeks to renew and revise the current OMB-approved Progress Report. In August of 2013, Senior Corps revised its OMB approved Grant Application Instructions. The revised Grant Application Instructions incorporated new standard national performance measures for Senior Corps programs. The revised PPR will align with the new national performance measures, and allow grantees to enter actual data and progress towards plans and targets set in the Grant Application.

The revised PPR will be used in the same manner as the existing PPR to report progress toward accomplishing work plan goals and objectives, reporting volunteer and service outputs, reporting actual outcomes related to self-nominated performance measures meeting challenges encountered, describing significant activities, and requesting technical assistance. CNCS also seeks to continue using the current application until the revised application is approved by OMB. The current application is due to expire on August 31, 2013.

Type of Review: Renewal. Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.

Title: Senior Corps Project Progress Report.

OMB Number: 3045–0033. Agency Number: CNCS Form 1020. Affected Public: Sponsors of Senior Corps grants.

Total Respondents: 1,250. Frequency: Work plans and narratives: Semi-Annual; Progress Report Supplement: Annual.

Average Time per Response: Work plans and narratives: 4 hours. Progress Report Supplement: 8 hours.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 20,000 hours.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None.

Total Burden Cost (operating/ maintenance): None.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also become a matter of public record.

Dated: December 3, 2012. Erwin Tan, Director, Senior Corps.
[FR Doc. 2012–29781 Filed 12–7–12; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 6050–$$–P**

**CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE** 

**Revision of Information Collection; Comment Request** 

**AGENCY :**  Corporation for National and Community Service.

**ACTION :**  Notice.

**SUMMARY :**  The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general public and federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. Sec. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirement on respondents can be properly assessed.

Currently, CNCS is soliciting comments concerning its proposed revision of its Senior Corps Grant Application (424–NSSC) (OMB Control Number 3045–0035). CNCS proposes to revise the Senior Corps Grant Application with the following modifications to:

• Align language with standard national performance measure requirements; revise the Grant Application Narrative questions to clarify new concepts;

• Simplify language and wording of questions;

• Revise questions to better express the desired outcomes;

• Facilitate stronger alignment between narrative sections and the performance measures work plans. The proposed revisions do not change the estimated respondent burden.

Copies of the information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed in the addresses section of this Notice.

**DATES :**  Written comments must be submitted to the individual and office