2024-06694. Agency Information Collection Activities; Comment Request; International Resource Information System (IRIS)

AGENCY:

Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), Department of Education (ED).

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Department is proposing an extension without change of a currently approved information collection request (ICR).

DATES:

Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before May 28, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

To access and review all the documents related to the information collection listed in this notice, please use http://www.regulations.gov by searching the Docket ID number ED-2024-SCC-0052. Comments submitted in response to this notice should be submitted electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov by selecting the Docket ID number or via postal mail, commercial delivery, or hand delivery. If the regulations.gov site is not available to the public for any reason, the Department will temporarily accept comments at [e-mail]. Please include the docket ID number and the title of the information collection request when requesting documents or submitting comments. Please note that comments submitted after the comment period will not be accepted. Written requests for information or comments submitted by postal mail or delivery should be addressed to the Manager of the Strategic Collections and Clearance Governance and Strategy Division, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. SW, LBJ, Room 6W203, Washington, DC 20202-8240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For specific questions related to collection activities, please contact Sara Starke, 202-987-0391.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Department, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand the Department's information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. The Department is soliciting comments on the proposed information collection request (ICR) that is described below. The Department is especially interested in public comment addressing the following issues: (1) is this collection necessary to the proper functions of the Department; (2) will this information be processed and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; (4) how might the Department enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Department minimize the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the use of information technology. Please note that written comments received in response to this notice will be considered public records.

Title of Collection: International Resource Information System (IRIS).

OMB Control Number: 1840-0759.

Type of Review: An extension without change of a currently approved ICR.

Respondents/Affected Public: Private sector; individuals and households.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 6,596.

Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 35,712.

Abstract: Information Resource Information System (IRIS) is an online performance reporting system for grantees of International and Foreign Language Education (IFLE) programs. The site also allows for IFLE program officers to process overseas language requests, travel authorization requests, and grant activation requests. IRIS keeps a record of these requests and also of Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship recipients and grantee performance reports.

This is a request for an extension of IRIS, which will permit the continued collection of project and program performance data for IFLE programs: (1) American Overseas Research Centers (AORC), (2) Business and International Education (BIE), (3) Centers for International Business Education (CIBE), (4) Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships, (5) Institute for International Public Policy (IIPP), (6) International Research and Studies (IRS), (7) Language Resource Centers (LRC), (8) National Resource Centers (NRC), (9) Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information Access (TICFIA), (10) Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language (UISFL), (11) Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Program (DDRA), (12) Fulbright-Hays Faculty Research Abroad (FRA), (13) Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA), and (14) Fulbright-Hays Seminars Abroad (SA).

Dated: March 26, 2024.

Kun Mullan,

PRA Coordinator, Strategic Collections and Clearance, Governance and Strategy Division, Office of Chief Data Officer, Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development.