2022-25244. Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted the information collection request titled “CDC Fellowship Programs Assessments” to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. CDC previously published a “Proposed Data Collection Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations” notice on August 22, 2022, to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. CDC received one non-substantive comment related to the previous notice. This notice serves to allow an additional 30 days for public and affected agency comments.

CDC will accept all comments for this proposed information collection project. The Office of Management and Budget is particularly interested in comments that:

(a) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

(b) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies' estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

(c) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected;

(d) 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, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses; and

(e) Assess information collection costs.

To request additional information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the information collection plan and instruments, call [phone]. Comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAMain. Find this particular information collection by selecting “Currently under 30-day Review—Open for Public Comments” or by using the search function. Direct written comments and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice to the Attention: CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to [phone]. Provide written comments within 30 days of notice publication.

Proposed Project

Data Collection for CDC Fellowship Programs (OMB Control No. 0920-1163, Exp. 3/31/2023)—Extension—Center for Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Laboratory Services (CSELS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

CDC's mission is to protect America from health, safety, and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S. To ensure a competent, sustainable, and empowered public health workforce prepared to meet these challenges, CDC plays a key role in developing, implementing, and managing a large number of fellowship programs. A fellowship is defined as a training or work experience lasting at least one month and consisting of primarily experiential ( i.e., on-the-job) learning, in which the trainee has a designated mentor or supervisor. CDC fellowships are intended to develop public health professionals, enhance the public health workforce, and strengthen collaborations with partners in public health and healthcare organizations, academia, and other stakeholders in governmental and non-governmental organizations. Assessing fellowship activities is essential to ensure that the public health workforce is equipped to promote and protect the public's health.

CDC requests a three-year extension of a Generic Clearance to collect data about its fellowship programs, as they relate to public health workforce development. Data collections will allow for ongoing, collaborative, and actionable communications between CDC fellowship programs and stakeholders ( e.g., fellows, supervisors/mentors, alumni). These collections might include short surveys, interviews, and focus groups. Intended use of the resulting information is to:

• inform planning, implementation, and continuous quality improvement of fellowship activities and services;
• improve efficiencies in the delivery of fellowship activities and services; and
• determine to what extent fellowship activities and services are achieving established goals.

Collection and use of information about CDC fellowship activities will help ensure effective, efficient, and satisfying experiences among fellowship program participants and partners.

This Extension ICR contains a change in burden estimate from the previously approved package. This change is the result of a review and evaluation of CDC programming and fellowship needs. CDC estimates that annually, approximately one quarter of all CDC fellowships (23 of 91) will conduct a GenIC under this umbrella. This estimate reflects the usage rate for CFPA in its most recent approval period. Burden estimates assume that a given fellowship program will conduct one query each with one of the three respondent groups: fellowship applicants or fellows; mentors, supervisors, or employers; and alumni.

OMB approval is requested for three years. CDC requests OMB approval for an estimated 1,546 annual burden hours. There are no costs to respondents other than their time.

Estimated Annualized Burden Hours

Type of respondents	Form name	Number respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Average burden per response (in hours)
Applicants or fellows	Fellowship Data Collection Instrument	966	1	30/60
Mentors, supervisors, or employers	Fellowship Data Collection Instrument	193	1	30/60
Alumni	Fellowship Data Collection Instrument	1932	1	30/60

Jeffery M. Zirger,

Lead, Information Collection Review Office, Office of Scientific Integrity, Office of Science, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.