2010-25589. Proposed Collection; Comment Request; National Evaluation of the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Initiative

SUMMARY:

In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects, the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval.

Proposed Collection: Title: The National Evaluation of the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Initiative. Type of Information Collection Request: New. Need and Use of Information Collection: The CTSA Initiative is directed at transforming the way biomedical research is conducted nationwide by reducing the time it takes for basic science or laboratory discoveries to become treatments for patients, and for those treatments in turn to be incorporated and disseminated throughout community practice. The primary purpose of this data collection is to provide information about the process and early outcomes associated with 46 awardees participating in the first four cohorts of CTSA awards, in order to fulfill the congressional expectations for external program evaluation. NIH will use the results to understand the extent to which the CTSA Initiative is bringing about transformational changes in clinical and translational science among academic medical centers and their research partners, increasing the efficiency of the research process, and enhancing the capacity of the field to conduct clinical and translational research. All information collected will be used to provide analytical and policy support to NCRR, assisting NIH in making decisions about current CTSA programming, future funding, and other initiatives to improve clinical and translational science. It may also provide information for NIH's Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) report. Frequency of Response: Biennial. Affected Public: Individuals. Type of Respondents: Scientific researchers. The annual reporting burden is as follows : Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,563; Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1; Average Burden Hours Per Response: 0.13; Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours Requested: 451.5. The annualized cost to respondents is estimated at $14,056. There are no capital or start-up costs, and no maintenance or service cost components to report.

Respondent type	Estimated number of respondents	Estimated number of hours per respondent type	Frequency of response	Estimated total annual burden hours requested
Users survey	500	.25	.5	62.5
Nonusers survey	500	.08	.5	20
Trainees/scholars survey	1,213	.33	.5	200
Mentors survey	1,350	.25	.5	169
Total				451.5

Request for Comments: Written comments and/or suggestions from the public and affected agencies should address one or more of the following points: (1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the function 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 the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

To request more information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and instruments, contact Patricia Newman, Program Analyst, Office of Science Policy, National Center for Research Resources, 6701 Democracy Boulevard, MSC 4874, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-4874, or e-mail your request, including your address to [e-mail].

Comments Due Date: Comments regarding this information collection are best assured of having their full effect if received within 60 days of the date of this publication.

Dated: October 4, 2010.

Patricia Newman,

Program Analyst, Office of Science Policy, NCRR, National Institutes of Health.