Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
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Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request.
Citation: "79 FR 51363"
Page Number: "51363"
"Notices"
SUMMARY: The
The
Comments regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency'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; (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:
Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling 703-292-7556.
NSF 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:
Summary of Comments on the National Science Foundation Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide and NSF's Responses
The draft NSF PAPPG was made available for review by the public on the NSF Web site at
GPG section and Commenter Comment NSF response topic GPG, Chapter Council on We encourage NSF to The section has been I.F.2. Governmental add additional revised to delete Inclement Relations clarification and "prior" from the Weather Policy modification to this approval requirement, section that reflect given the more accurately the unanticipated nature challenges faced in of natural or natural and/or anthropogenic events. anthropogenic events. The ability of a potential applicant to request prior approval for natural or anthropogenic events can be severely affected by the very event that prevents timely submission GPG, Chapter Council on We request that NSF The section has been I.F.2. Governmental modify this section to updated to Inclement Relations include a provision specifically address Weather Policy for: (1) Notification the closure of NSF. by the potential Additionally, the applicant as soon as revised language possible but no later developed by NSF than five (5) days provides greater after the event and, flexibility than the based on that language proposed by notification; (2) a the commenter. NSF determination and believes that such authorization, as flexibility is appropriate, by the important given the program officer for a nature of the late submission. NSF deviation request. could alleviate the anxiety associated with unanticipated institutional closings by providing a standard exception for situations of short duration. Campuses can be closed for a variety of reasons including natural or anthropogenic events, which can require several days to return to normal operations. The recommendation above can help address that situation. Recently, however, campuses have been closed for a day for "man-made" events including sightings of armed assailants and other health and safety issues. We ask NSF to consider a standard exception of one day (next business day) for applicants whose campus is closed for an unanticipated event. The application could be submitted with documentation from the authorized institutional official or the official's designee Similarly, we suggest that NSF consider a standard provision for late submission in those cases where NSF is unable to operate because of natural, anthropogenic, and weather related or other events. Such a provision could set a specific number of days after the event for a new submission deadline. For example, in the case of closures because of inclement weather, the deadline could be set as the day following reopening of federal offices. Any deviations from this standard could be announced on the NSF Web site GPG, Chapter Cold Spring Recommend that this Comment has been GPG, Chapter Massachusetts Can the NSF policy on NSF believes the II.C.2.d.(ii) Institute of URLs in other existing language on Use of URLs Technology documents be inclusion of URLs is outside the clarified? In the clearly articulated Project Project description, and further action is Description we understand that neither necessary nor these are discouraged appropriate. per GPG II.C.2.d.ii. At MIT, we have had a couple of funding divisions ask for proposal file updates to remove links from the references biographical sketches whereas other divisions do not require this. The GPG states that appropriate citations for references cited (II.C.2.e) or Biosketch "products" (II.C.2.f) may include URLs, so it's unclear how to treat this as many PDF generating programs automatically treat URLs as links GPG, Chapter Massachusetts Biosketch section (e) This change will be II.C.2.f.(i)(e) Institute of adds "the total number highlighted in the Biographical Technology of collaborators and Summary of Significant Sketches: co-editors also must Changes. Collaborators & be identified". Should Other this change versus 14- Affiliations 1 be highlighted? GPG, Chapter Massachusetts This section suggests New language has been II.C.2.f.(ii) Institute of that information on added to the Biographical Technology the qualifications Biographical Sketches: Other other personnel may be Sketch(es) Personnel included, but it is instructions which unclear where this states: "Such should be included. information should be FastLane does not clearly identified as include a place to `Other Personnel' upload biosketches for biographical non-senior personnel. information and Can the correct place uploaded along with to include non-senior the Biosketches for bio information be Senior Personnel in specified? the Biosketches section of the proposal." GPG, Chapter University of Both of these sections This issue will be II.C.2.g.(ii); Wisconsin describe the ability addressed in the AAG, Chapter of the grantee to latest version of the V.B.1.b. Fringe charge fringe benefits Frequently Asked Benefits as direct costs, given Questions that are that charges are made being developed by the in accordance with Office of Management usual accounting and Budget. As such, practices and/or with it would not be approval of the appropriate for the cognizant federal issue to be resolved agency. Reference also by NSF. is made to 2 CFR S. 200.431, within which part (b)(3)(i) states that, "Payments for unused leave when an employee retires or terminates employment are allowable as indirect costs in the year of payment." We want to confirm our understanding that NSF policy does not preclude costs of unused leave at retirement and termination from being directly charged to NSF awards. We recognize that NSF policy indicates that such payments may be subject to reasonableness determination. Additionally, we seek affirmation that 2 CFR S. 200.431 is incorporated into NSF policy to acknowledge that such unused leave also may be allowable as indirect costs and is not a directive to institutions to charge such costs as indirect costs GPG, Chapter Trish Lowney "Examples include . . Language has now been II.C.2.g.(vi) . And construction of modified to help Other Direct equipment or systems eliminate confusion Costs not available off-the regarding where shelf." equipment should be Confusing: Doesn't addressed in the fabricated equipment budget. (construction of equipment or systems not available off-the- shelf) that meets the institution's capitalization threshold (e.g.,
|% 5,000) ought to be
included in the equipment budget line (e.g., MRI development options awards)? GPG, Chapter University of The University Language has been II.C.2.g.(vi)(a
|% funding. If this is 200,000 or more."
the intent, then the text should be modified to reflect this. GPG, Exhibit University of The NSF Proposal and The Proposal and Award III-1 NSF
Award and Administration Guide (18 comments, including one duplication):
AAG Section and Commenter Comment NSF response topic AAG, Chapter Cal Tech The note on page I-2 The future of the I.C.2.a. of the GPG indicates Research Terms and Research Terms that the Research Conditions is & Conditions Terms and Conditions currently being "will be added to this considered by the list, if available, at NSTC/RBM. the time of issuance." From the point of view of the research community, having the Research Terms and Conditions reintroduced is extremely important and very beneficial. We urge NSF to use its influence to strengthen the case for the return of the Research Terms and Conditions and appreciate your efforts along those lines AAG, Chapter University of We appreciate the NSF takes the II.C.3.b. Cost Wisconsin confirmation that all imposition of new Sharing awards subject to administrative statutory cost sharing requirements very have been closed out. seriously. Given the We also note that NSF limited number of has changed cost awards that have cost sharing requirements. sharing requirements, Where NSF previously and the importance of required reports only meeting the financial when a cost sharing commitments made by commitment of $ the recipient, we 500,000 or more believe it is existed, grantees must important that now report on organizations provide mandatory cost sharing this information to on an annual and final NSF, irrespective of basis. Although we the dollar value of assume that this the cost sharing. change is being made in conformance with the Uniform Guidance, we acknowledge that this new level of reporting will create an increased administrative burden on grantees AAG, Chapter Council on COGR respectfully asks NSF implemented award II.D.5.; AAG, Governmental NSF to request a financial closeout Chapter III.E. Relations deviation from OMB requirements as Grant Closeout that the submission established by the date for all Uniform Guidance financial, paragraph 2 CFR S. performance, and other 200.343(b) which reports and the states that "a non- liquidation date be Federal entity must set to a new standard liquidate all of 120-days after the obligations incurred end date of the period under the Federal of performance award not later than Specifically, we 90 calendar days after request that the the end date of the submission date for period of performance all financial, as specified in the performance, and other terms and conditions reports and the of the Federal award." liquidation date be Additionally, NSF set to a new standard complies with the of 120-days after the requirements end date of the period established by the of performance. Per 2 Uniform Guidance CFR S. 200.343 paragraph 200.343(e) Closeouts, (g), which states "the Federal awarding Federal awarding agencies should agency or pass-through complete all closeout entity must make a actions no later than settlement for any one year after the upward or downward acceptance of all adjustments to the required final Federal share of costs reports. This after closeout reports effectively sets the are received." final closeout clock Adjustments to the at 15 months (i.e., 90 Federal share of costs days plus one year) can be completed by after the end date of awardee institutions the award. Within that through the Award Cash time period, COGR Management Service believes that all (ACM ] and submitted parties can work in a on line to NSF for 18 bi-lateral fashion to months after the award ensure an award is expiration date. closed in the most Downward adjustments timely, efficient, and can be submitted until accurate manner the appropriations possible. Under this funding the award bi-lateral closeout cancel. ACM $enables model, both the awardee institutions federal agency and the to submit adjustments grantee recognize each with essentially no other's system and increased workload resource constraints over that of a and will work together standard payment to provide sufficient request. NSF believes flexibility toward the capabilities achieving the final offered by ACM $for closeout objective adjustments to financially closed awards mitigate the effects of the implementation of the 90-day financial closeout. However, NSF is committed to the long standing partnership with its awardee institution population. As such, NSF will consider the feasibility of requesting a deviation from the Uniform Guidance requirements. However, such a deviation would be dependent upon the concurrence of other research oriented Federal agencies in order to establish a consistent requirement for the timing of award financial closeout actions. NSF believes a 120-day standard award closeout would be feasible, if agreement can be reached within the Federal agency research community. NSF believes a unilateral deviation from the Uniform Guidance for award financial closeout would not be consistent with the intent of the Uniform Guidance and could introduce the type of uncertainty within the grant administration community that the Uniform Guidance was intended to improve. AAG, Chapter University of We echo COGR's request See answer to the AAG, Chapter Massachusetts MIT requests that the See answer to the II.D.5.; AAG, Institute of NSF apply for a Council on Chapter III.E. Technology deviation from OMB Governmental Relations Grant Closeout allowing the closeout on the same issue submission deadline to above. be changed from the current 90-standard to a new 120-day standard, as also requested by the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR). MIT has identified subawards as a major factor contributing to delays in award closeout, and the additional 30 days would significantly improve our compliance We recognize that closeouts require more work and attention to detail than ever before, on the part of both the federal awarding agency and the non-federal awardee organization. This additional work impacts all of us, and our primary goal with this request is to complete the closeout in the most timely, efficient, and accurate way possible. Per 2 CFR S. 200.343 Closeouts (g), the Federal awarding agency should complete closeout within 15 months after the expiration date of an award (90 days + 1 year), and we believe that allowing awardee organizations an extra 30 days out of this window should not negatively impact NSF's workflow AAG, Chapter University of We applaud NSF for the See answer to the III.E. Minnesota great partnership Council on Financial created with Governmental Relations Requirements Universities through on the same issue and Payments the implementation of above. the ACMS system and the replacement of the FFR and Cash Request Function. The single system point of entry and acknowledgement and new understanding that the amount drawn equated to amount spent is a great step in moving to a streamlined and more efficient financial process. We encourage NSF to critically consider the closeout process as described in the COGR letter AAG, Chapter University of While this is not a The record retention II.E. Record Alabama change in NSF policy, language specified in Retention & it is more burdensome Award & Administration Audit that the requirements Guide Chapter II has of the Uniform been revised to read Guidance found in as follows: "1. 200.333: "Financial Financial records, records . . . and all supporting documents, other non-Federal statistical records entity records and all other records pertinent to a Federal pertinent to the NSF award must be retained grant must be retained for a period of three by the grantee for a years from the date of period of three years submission of the from award financial final expenditure closeout described in report or, for Federal AAG Chapter III.E.3, awards that are except as noted in 2 renewed quarterly or CFR 200.333." annually, from the date of the submission of the quarterly or annual financial report, respectively, as reported to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity . . . Federal awarding agencies and pass-through entities must not impose any other record retention requirements upon non- Federal entities." Although it is becoming easier to track submission of project reports to NSF, and the University appreciated NSF's progress in this area, it is still more complicated for recipients to identify and record the project report submission date and to ensure it is used for record retention purposes when it occurs after the date of the award financial closeout and is, in practice, an additional record retention requirement AAG, Chapter University of 2 CFR 200.87-- This issue was raised II.E. Record Alabama "Research and during the last Retention & Development (R&D) R&D comment period for the Audit means all research NSF Proposal and Award activities, both basic Policies and and applied, and all Procedures Guide and development activities is considered that are performed by resolved. NSF does not non-Federal entities. intend to make further The term research also changes to the includes activities language provided. involving the training of individuals in research techniques where such activities utilize the same facilities as other research and development activities and where such activities are not included in the instruction function. "Research" is defined as a systematic study directed toward fuller scientific knowledge or understanding of the subject studied. "Development" is the systematic use of knowledge and understanding gained from research directed toward the production of useful materials, devices, systems, or methods, including design and development of prototypes and processes. While NSF's mission, "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense; and for other purposes" is advanced primarily through the support of science and engineering research, not all of the activities NSF funds meet the definition of Research and Development, as other types of activities, such as education, also promote the progress of science. The fact that NSF funds education programs and other activities that do not involve a systematic study of a subject or the use of research results in the production of materials, etc. is included throughout the PAPPG. For example, the definition of Assistance Award states that for NSF, they "involve the support or stimulation of scientific and engineering research, science and engineering education or other related activities." While "NSF recognizes that some awards may have another classification for purposes of indirect costs," the inconsistency in classification for various purposes creates problems in determining the appropriate indirect cost rate to charge (which can be particularly burdensome to faculty), in appropriately categorizing expenditures and space in indirect cost rate proposals and in other areas of administration and management of funds. The OMB Circular A-133 Compliance Supplement contains in Part 5, Clusters of Programs, specific instructions for auditing Research and Development Programs. The Compliance Requirements and Suggested Audit Procedures are not always the most appropriate for educational, service or other non-research programs/activities AAG, Chapter University of The CFDA number of NSF This issue was raised II.E. Record Minnesota awards is provided to during the last Retention & the Grantee at the comment period for the Audit time of award on the NSF Proposal and Award Award Notice. The CFDA Policies and number provided by NSF Procedures Guide and is a CFDA that falls is considered into a cluster resolved. NSF does not category as outlined intend to make further in the compliance changes to the supplement. If a CFDA language provided. number isn't defined in a category the guidance is to report the CFDA by function. At a macro level, institutions plan and review their portfolios by mission (function); teaching, training, research, public service, etc. Institutionally, function is defined by how the activity (transaction) accomplishes the mission of the university. For example, awards with the primary function of training would not fall under the mission of research at our institution. Our financial statements summarize all our mission activity by function. Our SEFA is reconciled to the Financial Statements as required. Requiring the institution to arbitrarily report activity as part of the R&D Cluster when institutionally we have defined the activity as another function will cause additional reconciliation steps and ongoing "reporting discrepancies." AAG, Chapter Stanford We respectfully ask Language has been III.D.4.b. University that NSF request a modified in AAG, Program Income deviation from OMB Chapter III.D.4.c.(1) that income from to address the issue license fees and as follows: "The royalties be excluded grantee also shall from the definition of have no obligation to program income (Part NSF with respect to II, Chapter program income earned III.D.4.b). Statutory from license fees and requirements under the royalties for Bayh-Dole Act (35 copyrighted material, U.S.C. 202(c)(7)) patents, patent supersede any applications, described treatments trademarks, and of license fees and inventions produced royalties per sections under an award. 200.80 and 200.307(f) However, Patent and in the Uniform Trademark Amendments Guidance. We believe (35 U.S.C. 18) shall OMB has confirmed the apply to inventions precedence of U.S. law made under an award." or statute over the OMB Uniform Guidance. Therefore reporting to Federal agencies on Program Income should not include such license fees and royalties AAG, Chapter University of Thank you for Thank-you. No NSF IV.D. Property Wisconsin providing verification response required. Management that NSF has the Standards authority under the Federal Technology Transfer Act to vest title in an institution of higher education. This should allow institutions of higher education to continue handling title in a manner to which they are accustomed AAG, Chapter Council on COGR respectfully asks The issue of IV.E. Governmental NSF to request a procurement standards Procurement Relations deviation from OMB contained in the new that Institutions of Uniform Guidance has Higher Education been brought to the (IHEs), Nonprofit attention of the Research Organizations Office of Management (NROs), and all and Budget. Any research performers be decisions regarding exempted from implementation rest Procurement Standards with OMB, and, cannot Sections 200.317 be addressed through 200.326. independently by NSF. Procurement Standards under Circular A-110 should be reinstated for research performers The PAPPG states that NSF grantees shall adhere to the requirements of 2 CFR 200.317-326, which prescribes standards for use by recipients in establishing procedures for procurement. COGR has documented that implementation of 2 CFR S. 200.317-326 will: (1) Create increased cost and administrative burden via expensive process- workflow and IT system changes, (2) require a long lead time to implement, which cannot effectively be accomplished by December 26th, and (3) result in risk to program performance-- for example, critical research tools and supplies that normally would be acquired in one day could take at least one week to acquire. By securing the deviation requested above, NSF can help ensure the continuity of current and effective procurement practices in place at IHEs and NROs, without any sacrifice to institutional accountability and stewardship of federal funds AAG, Chapter University of We strongly request The issue of IV.E. California that NSF request a procurement standards Procurement deviation from OMB contained in the new exempting Institutions Uniform Guidance has of Higher Education been brought to the (IHEs) from the attention of the procurement Office of Management requirements outlined and Budget. Any in the Uniform decisions regarding Guidance (2 CFR implementation rest 200.317-326). These with OMB, and, cannot new procurement be addressed documentation and independently by NSF. sourcing standards will require UC to restructure longstanding procurement practices, redesign internal controls for procurement processes, reconfigure supporting E-procurement systems, and execute a wholesale change management strategy to re-educate faculty, staff, and students across 10 campuses and five medical centers. It will be costly and difficult, if not impossible, to implement such changes by the required date of December 26, 2014 AAG, Chapter Massachusetts MIT also supports The issue of IV.E. Institute of COGR's request that procurement standards Procurement Technology NSF apply for a contained in the new deviation allowing Uniform Guidance has Institutions of Higher been brought to the Education (IHEs), attention of the Nonprofit Research Office of Management Organizations (NROs), and Budget. Any and all research decisions regarding performers to be implementation rest subject to the prior with OMB, and, cannot procurement standards be addressed of Circular A-110. We independently by NSF. absolutely recognize and agree with the need to make the best use of our scarce resources, but for IHEs, NROs, and research performers of all types, this change would be too sudden to implement by the end of the year The requirements of the Procurement standards in 200.317 through 200.326 call for system solutions. Without a system for capturing the required documentation, the additional administrative effort on each transaction would significantly outweigh any cost savings. It is simply not feasible for IHEs and NROs to put new procurement documentation systems in place by the December 26th deadline. Additionally, the additional time this would require for each transaction would seriously impact the flexibility needed to effectively respond to the unpredictability of fundamental research AAG, Chapter University of Regarding the third NSF believes that the V.A.2.c. Florida paragraph "However, in coverage in the Publication and accordance with 2 CFR Uniform Guidance on Printing Costs 200.461, Publication this topic is clear and Printing costs, and no further awardees may charge clarification on the the NSF award before part of NSF is closeout for the costs necessary. of publication or sharing of research results, if the costs are not incurred during the period of performance of the award" Would the cost of travel (of course the purpose of which is to disseminate and share the results of the research) where the airfare, registration and other costs are paid for prior to the end of the project period but the travel does not occur until after the end of the project period be an allowable cost? AAG, Chapter University of We appreciate that NSF Thank-you. No action V.A.3.a. Prior Wisconsin has clarified that needed. Written "items identified in Approvals the approved budget constitutes NSF's authorization . . . to incur these costs" provided they are consistent with applicable terms, conditions, and regulations. This language will help eliminate confusion when items are included in the approved budget, and costs are later presumed as needing prior approval AAG, Chapter University of Both of these sections This issue will be V.B.1.b.; GPG, Wisconsin describe the ability addressed in the Chapter of the grantee to latest version of the II.C.2.g.(ii) charge fringe benefits Frequently Asked Fringe Benefits as direct costs, given Questions that are that charges are made being developed by the in accordance with Office of Management usual accounting and Budget. As such, practices and/or with it would not be approval of the appropriate for the cognizant federal issue to be resolved agency. Reference also by NSF. is made to 2 CFR 200.431, within which part (b)(3)(i) states that, "Payments for unused leave when an employee retires or terminates employment are allowable as indirect costs in the year of payment." We want to confirm our understanding that NSF policy does not preclude costs of unused leave at retirement and termination from being directly charged to NSF awards. We recognize that NSF policy indicates that such payments may be subject to reasonableness determination. Additionally, we seek affirmation that 2 CFR 200.431 is incorporated into NSF policy to acknowledge that such unused leave also may be allowable as indirect costs and is not a directive to institutions to charge such costs as indirect costs AAG, Chapter Council on This section states: NSF will forward this V.D.1.(ii)(a) Governmental "Federal Awards may comment to the Office Fixed Rates for Relations not be adjusted in of Management and Life of the future years as a Budget for further Award result of changes in discussion with the negotiated rates." We Council on Financial understand that this Assistance Reform. text is included in the Uniform Guidance, but urge the NSF to work with OMB and other federal agencies to provide clarification that would allow non-profit research organizations the opportunity to continue to have their total-cost for existing award commitments reconsidered where circumstances warrant. This option has been in place with agencies, such as the NIH, since 1997. It is important that this remain a viable option for non-profit organizations that would be affected by the language in this section of the PAPPG AAG, Chapter Cold Spring We understand that NSF will forward this V.D.1.(ii)(a) Harbor this text is included comment to the Office Fixed Rates for Laboratory in the OMB Omnibus of Management and Life of the Guidance, but strongly Budget for further Award urge the NSF and all discussion with the other Federal research Council on Financial funding organizations Assistance Reform. to work with OMB to provide clarification, such as in the NSF Policy document, that would continue to allow non-profit research organizations the opportunity to have their total-cost for existing award commitments reconsidered where circumstances warrant. This option has been in place with organizations such as the NIH since 1997 (see attached correspondence with AIRI), and must continue to be a viable option for non- profit organizations that may be harmed by this newly mandated restriction
Other Comments: GOES
Topic and PAPPG Commenter Comment NSF response section Expiring Funds University of Not addressed in NSF guidance for Minnesota the Guide. The expiring/canceling process around award funds will expiring funds is not differ from not addressed in the standard the guide. While guidance we are now applicable to all notified that award funds as certain funds are outlined in the expiring there NSF AAG Chapter V: isn't guidance Allowability of provided on Costs. NSF will options that a work toward university can further improving employ to manage the awareness of the funds. Federal awards with agencies differ in canceling funds the amount of held by our individual awardees. This guidance provided will include and at times we additional are unsure if a communications methodology with awardee described for one institutions as agency should be well as other used for another efforts to further agency highlight awards with canceling funds. Grants.gov Massachusetts There are items A new NSF E58 Application Guide Institute of added by GPG 14-1 Grants.gov Technology and 15-1 which are Application Guide not addressed in will be issued the Grants.gov concurrently with guide, and we're the PAPPG. not sure whether this means they are not required when submitting via Grants.gov. For example, the Collaboration type and Proposal type checkboxes on the FastLane cover page don't appear to correspond to any information on the Grants.gov SF424
Title of Collection: "
OMB Approval Number: 3145-0058.
Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to extend with revision an information collection for three years.
Proposed Project: The National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (Pub. L. 81-507) set forth NSF's mission and purpose:
"To promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense. * * *"
The Act authorized and directed NSF to initiate and support:
* Basic scientific research and research fundamental to the engineering process;
* Programs to strengthen scientific and engineering research potential;
* Science and engineering education programs at all levels and in all the various fields of science and engineering;
* Programs that provide a source of information for policy formulation; and
* Other activities to promote these ends.
Over the years, NSF's statutory authority has been modified in a number of significant ways. In 1968, authority to support applied research was added to the Organic Act. In 1980, The Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act gave NSF standing authority to support activities to improve the participation of women and minorities in science and engineering.
Another major change occurred in 1986, when engineering was accorded equal status with science in the Organic Act. NSF has always dedicated itself to providing the leadership and vision needed to keep the words and ideas embedded in its mission statement fresh and up-to-date. Even in today's rapidly changing environment, NSF's core purpose resonates clearly in everything it does: Promoting achievement and progress in science and engineering and enhancing the potential for research and education to contribute to the Nation. While NSF's vision of the future and the mechanisms it uses to carry out its charges have evolved significantly over the last four decades, its ultimate mission remains the same.
Use of the Information: The regular submission of proposals to the Foundation is part of the collection of information and is used to help NSF fulfill this responsibility by initiating and supporting merit-selected research and education projects in all the scientific and engineering disciplines. NSF receives more than 51,000 proposals annually for new projects, and makes approximately 10,500 new awards.
Support is made primarily through grants, contracts, and other agreements awarded to more than 2,000 colleges, universities, academic consortia, nonprofit institutions, and small businesses. The awards are based mainly on evaluations of proposal merit submitted to the Foundation.
The Foundation has a continuing commitment to monitor the operations of its information collection to identify and address excessive reporting burdens as well as to identify any real or apparent inequities based on gender, race, ethnicity, or disability of the proposed principal investigator(s)/project director(s) or the co-principal investigator(s)/co-project director(s).
Burden on the Public: The Foundation estimates that an average of 120 hours is expended for each proposal submitted. An estimated 51,600 proposals are expected during the course of one year for a total of 6,192,000 public burden hours annually.
Dated:
Reports Clearance Officer,
[FR Doc. 2014-20521 Filed 8-27-14;
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
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