2018-23552. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

October 24, 2018.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13. Comments are requested regarding (1) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) 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.

Comments regarding this information collection received by November 28, 2018 will be considered. Written comments should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), New Executive Office Building, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20502. Commenters are encouraged to submit their comments to OMB via email to: [e-mail] or fax [phone] and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250-7602. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling [phone].

An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Title: NIFA Grant Application.

OMB Control Number: 0524-0039.

Summary of Collection: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) sponsors ongoing agricultural research, education, and extension programs under which competitive, formula, and special awards of a high-priority nature are made. These programs are authorized pursuant to the authorities contained in the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as amended (7 U.S.C. 3101), the Smith-Lever Act, and other legislative authorities. Before awards can be issued, certain information is required from applicants as part of an overall application. In addition to a project summary, proposal narrative, vitae of key personnel, and other pertinent technical aspects of the proposed project, supporting documentation of an administrative and budgetary nature also must be provided. This information is obtained via applications through the use of federal-wide standard grant application forms and NIFA specific application forms. Because competitive applications are submitted, many of which necessitate review by peer panelists, it is particularly important that applicants provide the information in a standardized fashion to ensure equitable treatment for all.

Need and Use of the Information: The fundamental purpose of the information requested is to provide information that is not obtained in the federal-wide application forms but is necessary for the NIFA proposal and award process. In addition to federal-wide standard grant application forms, NIFA will use the following program and agency specific components as part of its application package: Letter of Intent Form, Supplemental Information Form; Application Type Form; Form NIFA-2008, Assurance Statement(s); and Form NIFA-2010, Fellowships/Scholarships Entry/Annual Update/Exit Form.

Description of Respondents: Individuals or household; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 15,153.

Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: Weekly; Monthly; Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 18,354.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Title: NIFA Proposal Review Process.

OMB Control Number: 0524-0041.

Summary of Collection: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), administers competitive, peer-reviewed research, education and extension programs. The reviews are undertaken to ensure that projects supported by NIFA are of a high-quality and are consistent with the goals and requirements of the funding program. These programs are authorized pursuant to the authorities contained in the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977, as amended (7 U.S.C. 3101), the Smith-Lever Act, and other legislative authorities.

Need and Use of the Information: The collected information from the evaluations is used to support NIFA grant programs. NIFA uses the results of each proposal to determine whether a proposal should be declined or recommended for award. In order to obtain this information, an electronic questionnaire is used to collect information about potential panel and ad-hoc reviewers. If this information is not collected, it would be difficult for a review panel and NIFA staff to determine which projects warrant funding, or identify appropriate qualified reviewers. In addition, Federal grants staff and auditors could not assess the quality or integrity of the review, and the writer of the application would not benefit from any feedback on why the application was funded or not.

Description of Respondents: Individuals or households; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 50,000.

Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Weekly; Annually.

Total Burden Hours: 102,400.

Ruth Brown,

Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer.