2011-23680. Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Corporation for National and Community Service.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Corporation for National and Community Service (hereinafter the “Corporation”), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance consultation program to provide the general public and federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). This program helps to ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of collection requirement on respondents can be properly assessed. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TTY-TDD) may call [phone] between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. eastern time, Monday through Friday.

Currently, the Corporation is soliciting comments concerning AmeriCorps Application Instructions: State Commissions; State and National Competitive; Professional Corps; Indian Tribes; States and Territories without Commissions; and State and National Planning. Applicants will respond to the questions included in this ICR in order to apply for funding through these grant competitions.

Copies of the information collection request can be obtained by contacting the office listed in the addresses section of this notice.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted to the individual and office listed in the ADDRESSES section by November 14, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments, identified by the title of the information collection activity, by any of the following methods:

(1) By mail sent to: Corporation for National and Community Service; Attention: Amy Borgstrom, Associate Director for Policy, Room 9515; 1201 New York Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20525.

(2) By hand delivery or by courier to the Corporation's mailroom at Room 8100 at the mail address given in paragraph (1) above, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

(3) By fax to: [phone], Attention: Amy Borgstrom, Associate Director for Policy.

(4) Electronically through the Corporation's e-mail address system: [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Amy Borgstrom, [phone], or by e-mail at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Corporation is particularly interested in comments that:

• Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Corporation, including whether the information will have practical utility;
• Evaluate 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;
• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and
• Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are expected to respond, including the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology (e.g., permitting electronic submissions of responses).

Background

These application instructions will be used by applicants for funding through AmeriCorps State and National grant competitions.

Current Action

The Corporation seeks to renew and revise the current AmeriCorps State and National Application Instructions. The Application Instructions are being revised for increased clarity and to align with provisions of the Serve America Act. The Application Instructions will be used in the same manner as the existing Application Instructions. The Corporation also seeks to continue using the current Application Instructions until the revised Application Instructions are approved by OMB. The current ICRs are due to expire on May 31, 2012.

Type of Review: Renewal.

Agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.

Title: AmeriCorps Application Instructions: State Commissions; State and National Competitive; Professional Corps; Indian Tribes; States and Territories without Commissions; and State and National Planning.

OMB Number: 3045-0047.

Agency Number: None.

Affected Public: Nonprofit organizations, State, Local and Tribal.

Total Respondents: 654.

Frequency: Annually.

Average Time per Response: 24 hours.

Estimated Total Burden Hours: 15,696 hours.

Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): None.

Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): None.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also become a matter of public record.

Dated: September 9, 2011.

Lois Nembhard,

Deputy Director, AmeriCorps State and National.