2012-4271. Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request: STAR METRICS (Science and Technology for America's Reinvestment: Measuring the EffecTs of Research on Innovation, Competitiveness and Science)

Summary: Under the provisions of section 3507(a)(1)(D) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health (NIH) has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) a request to review and approve the information collection listed below. This proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register on Oct 5, 2011 and allowed 60 days for public comment. No public comments were received. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comment. The National Institutes of Health may not conduct or sponsor, and the respondent is not required to respond to, an information collection that has been extended, revised, or implemented on or after October 1, 1995, unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

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: Extension of OMB number 0925-0616, expiration date 03/31/2012. 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 creatfon), 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 Respondent: 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 Of Annual Burden Hours

	Number of respondents	Frequency of response	Average time per response (in hours)	Annual hour burden
Stage I: One time data input	7	1	45	315
Stage 2: Ongoing quarterly data input	100	4	2.5	1,000
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 functioning of the National Cancer Institute, 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.

Direct Comments to OMB: Written comments and/or suggestions regarding the item(s) contained in this notice, especially regarding the estimated public burden and associated response time, should be directed to the Attention: NIH Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, at [e-mail] or by fax to 202-395-6974. To request more information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and instruments, contact: George Chacko, Office of Planning, Analysis, and Evaluation, Center for Scientific Review, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Suite 3030, Bethesda, MD 20892 or call non-toll-free at 301-435-1111 or email 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 30 days of the date of this publication.

George Chacko,

Director, Office of Planning, Analysis, and Evaluation, Center for Scientific Review, National Institutes of Health.