02-14381. Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

AGENCY:

National Science Foundation.

ACTION:

Submission for OMB review; comment request.

SUMMARY:

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), and as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, the National Science Foundation (NSF) is inviting the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on this proposed continuing information collection. This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal Register at 67 FR 8563 and no comments were received. NSF is forwarding the proposed submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with the publication of this second notice.

DATES:

Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received by OMB within 30 days of publication in the Federal Register.

ADDRESSES:

Written comments regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of NSF, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of NSF's estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; or (d) ways to 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 should be addressed to: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of OMB, Attention: Desk Officer for National Science Foundation, 725—17th Street, NW., Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, and to Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, Arlington, Virginia 22230 or send email to [e-mail]. Copies of the submission may be obtained by calling [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Suzanne H. Plimpton, NSF Reports Clearance Officer at [phone] or send e-mail to [e-mail].

An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title of Collection: Fellowship Application and Award Forms.

OMB Control No.: 3145-0023.

Abstract: Section 10 of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1861 et seq.), as amended, states that “The Foundation is authorized to award, within the limits of funds made available * * * scholarships and graduate fellowships for scientific study or scientific work in the mathematical physical, medical, biological, engineering, social, and other sciences at appropriate nonprofit American or nonprofit foreign institutions selected by the recipient of such aid, for stated periods of time.”

The Foundation Fellowship Programs are designed to meet the following objectives:

• To assure that some of the Nation's most talented students in the sciences obtain the education necessary to become creative and productive scientific researchers.
• To train or upgrade advanced scientific personnel to enhance their abilities as teachers and researchers.
• To promote graduate education in the sciences, mathematics, and engineering at institutions that have traditionally served ethnic minorities.
• To encourage pursuit of advanced science degrees by students who are members of ethnic groups traditionally under-represented in the Nation's advanced science personnel pool.

The list of fellowship award programs sponsored by the Foundation includes, but may not be limited to, the following:

NSF Graduate Research Fellowships

Graduate Fellowships

Minority Graduate Fellowships

Mathematical Sciences Postdoctoral Research Fellowships

NSF-NATO Postdoctoral Fellowships and Supporting Engineering

Minority Postdoctoral Research Fellowships and Supporting Activities

Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Microbial Biology

Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biological Informatics

Ridge Inter-Disciplinary Global Experiments

Advanced Study Institute Travel Awards

International Opportunities for Scientists and Engineers

Japan Research Fellows

North American Research Fellows

International Research Fellows

Estimate of Burden: These are annual award programs with application deadlines varying according to the fellowship program. Public burden may also vary according to program, however it is estimated that each submission is averaged to be 12 hours per respondent.

Respondents: Individuals.

Estimated Number of Responses: 13,000.

Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 156,000 hours.

Frequency of Responses: Annually.

Dated: June 4, 2002.

Suzanne H. Plimpton,

Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.