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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 239 (Thursday, December 12, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 100549-100550]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-29244]

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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; 
National Science Foundation Proposal/Award Information--NSF Proposal 
and Award Policies and Procedures Guide

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice.

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

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by February 10, 
2025 to be assured consideration. Comments received after that date 
will be considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to the 
address below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance 
Officer, National Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite 
E7400, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone (703) 292-7556; or send 
email to [email protected]. 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: 
    Title of Collection: ``U.S. National Science Foundation Proposal/
Award Information--NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures 
Guide.''
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0058.
    Expiration Date of Approval: November 30, 2026.
    Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to extend with revision an 
information collection for three years. The primary purpose of this 
revision is to update the U.S. NSF Proposal and Award Policies and 
Procedures Guide (PAPPG) to incorporate mandated statutory, regulatory, 
National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), Executive Order, and 
policy-related changes and clarifications of language. The draft NSF 
PAPPG is now available for your review and consideration on the NSF 
website at https://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/. To facilitate review, 
revised text has been highlighted in yellow throughout the document to 
identify significant changes. A brief comment explanation of the change 
also is provided.
    Proposed Project: The National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (Pub. 
L. 81-507) sets forth NSF's mission and purpose:
    ``To promote the progress of science; to advance the national 
health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense. . . 
.''
    The Act authorized and directed NSF to initiate and support:
     Basic scientific research and research fundamental to the 
engineering process;
     Programs to strengthen scientific and engineering research 
potential;
     Science and engineering education programs at all levels 
and in all the various fields of science and engineering;
     Programs that provide a source of information for policy 
formulation; and
     Other activities to promote these ends.
    NSF's core purpose resonates clearly in everything it does: 
promoting achievement and progress in science and engineering and 
enhancing the potential for research and education to contribute to the 
Nation. While NSF's vision of the future and the mechanisms it uses to 
carry out its charges have evolved significantly over the last six 
decades, its ultimate mission remains the same.
    Use of the Information: The regular submission of proposals to the 
Foundation is part of the collection of information and is used to help 
NSF fulfill this responsibility by initiating and supporting merit-
selected research and education projects in all the scientific and 
engineering disciplines. NSF receives more than 40,000 proposals 
annually for new projects and makes approximately 10,500 financial 
assistance awards, including grants and cooperative agreements.
    NSF funding is primarily made through issuance of grants, 
cooperative agreements awarded to approximately 3,000 institutions of 
higher education, non-profit organizations, tribal nations, for-profit 
organizations, and state and local governments. The awards are based 
primarily on the merit review of proposals submitted to the Foundation.
    Burden on the Public: The Foundation estimates that an average of 
120 hours is expended for each proposal submitted. An estimated 40,000 
proposals are expected to be received during the course of one year for 
a total of 4,800,000 public burden hours 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; and (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.

[[Page 100550]]

    Dated: December 9, 2024.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2024-29244 Filed 12-11-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
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