[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 204 (Monday, October 21, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 54685]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26842]
[[Page 54685]]
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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Submission for OMB Review: Comment Request
Title of Proposed Collection: National Science Foundation Proposal
Evaluation Process.
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 Science Foundation
(NSF) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. Such a
notice was published at Federal Register 42371, dated August 14, 1996.
No public comments were received.
The materials are now being sent to OMB for review. Send any
written comments to Desk Officer: OMB No. 3145-0060, OIRA, Office of
Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503. Comments should be
received by November 18, 1996.
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.
Proposed project. Proposal Evaluation Process. The missions of the
NSF are to: increase the Nation's base of scientific and engineering
knowledge and strengthen its ability to support research in all areas
of science and engineering; promote innovative science and engineering
education programs that can better prepare the Nation to meet the
challenges of the future; and promote international cooperation in
science and engineering. The Foundation is also committed to ensuring
the Nation's supply of scientists, engineers, and science educators. In
its role as leading Federal supporter of science and engineering, NSF
also has an important role in national policy planning.
The Foundation fulfills this responsibility by initiating and
supporting merit-selected research and education projects in all the
scientific and engineering disciplines. This support is made primarily
through grants, contracts, and other agreements awarded to
approximately 2,800 colleges, universities, academic consortia,
nonprofit institutions, and small businesses.
The Foundation relies heavily on the advice and assistance of
external advisory committees, ad-hoc proposal reviewers, and to other
experts to ensure that the Foundation is able to reach fair and
knowledgeable judgments. These scientists and educators come from
colleges and universities, nonprofit research and education
organizations, industry, and other Government agencies.
In making its decisions on proposals the counsel of these merit
reviewers has proven invaluable to the Foundation both in the
identification of meritorious projects and in providing sound basis for
project restructuring.
Review of proposals may involve large panel sessions, small groups,
or use of a mail-review system. Proposals are reviewed carefully by
scientists or engineers who are expert in the particular field
represented by the proposal. About one-fourth are reviewed by mail
reviewers alone. Another one-forth are reviewed exclusively by panels
of reviewers who gather, usually in Washington, to discuss their advice
as well as to deliver it. The remaining one-half are reviewed first by
mail reviewers expert in the particular field, then by panels, usually
of persons with more diverse expertise, who help the NSF decide among
proposals from multiple fields or sub-fields.
Use of the Information. The information collected is used to
support grant programs of the Foundation.
The information collected on the proposal evaluation forms is used
by the Foundation to determine the following criteria when awarding or
declining proposals submitted to the agency: (1) Research performance
competence; (2) Intrinsic merit of the research; (3) Utility or
relevance of the research; and (4) Effect of the research on the
infrastructure of science and engineering.
The information collected on reviewer background questionnaires is
used by managers to maintain an automated data base of reviewers for
the many disciplines represented by the proposals submitted to the
Foundation. Information collected on gender, race, ethnicity is used in
meeting NSF needs for data to permit response to congressional and
other queries into equity issues. These data are also used in the
design, implementation, and monitoring of NSF efforts to increase the
participation on various groups in science, engineering, and education.
Confidentiality. Verbatim but anonymous copies of reviews are sent
to the principal investigators/project directors. Subject to this NSF
policy and applicable laws, including the Freedom of Information Act,
reviewers' comments will be given maximum protection from disclosure.
While listings of panelists' names are released, the names of
individual reviewers, associated with individual proposals, are not
released to anyone.
Because the Foundation is committed to monitoring and identifying
any real or apparent inequities based on gender, race, ethnicity, or
disability of the proposed principal investigator(s)/ project
director(s) or the co-principal investigator(s)/co-project director(s),
the Foundation also collects race, ethnicity, disability, and gender.
This information is also protected by the Privacy Act.
Burden on the Public. The Foundation estimates that anywhere from
one hour to twenty hours may be required to review a proposal. It is
estimated that approximately five hours are required to review an
average proposal. Each proposal receives an average of seven reviews.
Dated: October 15, 1996.
Herman G. Fleming,
Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 96-26842 Filed 10-18-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M
