E8-8230. Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Reinstatement of Generic Clearance for Partners and Customers Satisfaction Surveys

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 Center for Scientific Review (CSR), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. To request more information or to obtain a copy of the information collection plans, call the CSR Director of Planning, Analysis, and Evaluation on 301-435-1133.

Proposed Collection: Title: Reinstatement of Generic Clearance for Voluntary Partners and Customers Satisfaction Surveys: Reinstatement: The information collected in these surveys will be used by the Center for Scientific Review management and personnel: (1) To assess the quality of the modified operations and processes now used by CSR to review grant applications; (2) To assess the quality of service provided by CSR to our customers; (3) To enable identification of the most promising biomedical research that will have the greatest impact on improving public health by using a peer review process that is fair, unbiased from outside influence, timely, and (4) To develop new modes of operation based on customer need and customer feedback about the efficacy of implemented modifications. These surveys, which will be both quantitative and qualitative, are designed to assess the quality of services we provide to our major external customers. Customers include the research scientists who submit applications for grant funding to NIH. Those grant applications are reviewed and ranked by the grant scientific peer review study groups' members and chairs. These surveys will almost certainly lead to quality improvement activities that will enhance and/or streamline CSR's operations. Our partners include current grant scientific peer review study groups' members and chairs.

Frequency of Response: On occasion.

Affected Public: Scientific peer review study groups' members and chairs, grant applicants, other members of the research community.

Type of Respondents: Adult scientific professionals.

Estimates of Annualized Hour Burden

Instrument/activity	Annual number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Annual average burden per response (hours)	Total burden hours per annual collection
Focus Groups	75	1	2.5	187.5
Mail/telephone/e-mail Surveys	5,000	1	0.25	1,250
Annual Total	5,075			1,437.5

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. Andrea Kopstein, Director of Planning, Analysis, and Evaluation, Center for Scientific Review, NIH, Room 3030, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-7776, or call non-toll-free number [phone] or E-mail 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 60 days of the date of this publication.

Dated: April 7, 2008.

Andrea Kopstein,

Director of Planning, Analysis, and Evaluation.