2011-25732. Proposed Collection; Comment Request; STAR METRICS (Science and Technology for America's Reinvestment: Measuring the EffecTs of Research on Innovation, Competitiveness and Science)

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 Office of the Director of 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: STAR METRICS (Science and Technology for America's Reinvestment: Measuring the EffecTs of Research on Innovation, Competitiveness and Science). Type of Information Collection Request: Reinstatement of OMB number 0925-0616, expiration date 01/31/2011. Need and Use of Information Collection: The aim of STAR METRICS is twofold. The goal of STAR METRICS is to continue to provide mechanisms that will allow participating universities and Federal agencies with a reliable and consistent means to account for the number of scientists and staff that are on research institution payrolls, supported by Federal funds. In subsequent generations of the program, it is hoped that STAR METRICS will allow for measurement of science impact on economic outcomes (such as job creation), on knowledge generation (such as citations and patents) as well as on social and health outcomes. Frequency of Response: Quarterly. Affected Public: Universities and other research institutions. Type of Respondents: University administrators. The annual reporting burden is as follows: Estimated Number of Respondents: 100. Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 4. Average Burden Hours per Response: 2.5. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours Requested: 1,315. The annualized cost to respondents is estimated to be $65,750. There are no Capital Costs to report. There are no Operating or Maintenance Costs to report.

A.12-1 Estimates Annual Burden Hours

Form	Number of respondents	Frequency of response	Average time per response (in hours)	Annual hour burden
Stage 1: One time data input	7	1	45	315
Stage 2: Ongoing quarterly data input	100	4	2.5	1000
Total				1,315

Request for Comments: Written comments and/or suggestions from the public and affected agencies are invited on one or more of the following points: (1) 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) 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) 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 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 Dr. Julia Lane, e-mail: [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: September 27, 2011.

Stefano Bertuzzi,

Office of the Director, Office of Science Policy Analysis, Office of Science Policy, National Institutes of Health.