[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 214 (Thursday, November 5, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 59809]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-29604]
[[Page 59809]]
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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;
Comment Request
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Notice.
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Title of Collection: NSF Proposal Review Process (OMB Control No.
3145-0060).
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 National Science Foundation
(NSF) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. To request
more information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the
data collection plans and instruments call Suzanne Plimpton, NSF
Reports Clearance Officer, at (703) 306-1125x2017.
Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality,
utility, and clarity of the information on respondents, including
through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of
information technology.
Proposed Project Proposal Evaluation Process
The missions of the NSF are to: increase the Nation's base of
scientific and engineering knowledge and strengthen its ability to
support research in all areas of science and engineering; promote
innovative science and engineering education programs that can better
prepare the Nation to meet the challenges of the future; and promote
international cooperation in science and engineering. The Foundation is
also committed to ensuring the Nation's supply of scientists, engineers
and science educators. In its role as leading Federal supporter of
science and engineering, NSF also has an important role in national
policy planning.
The Foundation fulfills this responsibility by initiating and
supporting merit-selected research and education projects in all the
scientific and engineering disciplines. This support is made primarily
through grants, contracts, and other agreements awarded to
approximately 2,000 colleges, universities, academic consortia,
nonprofit institutions, and small businesses.
The Foundation relies heavily on the advice and assistance of
external advisory committees, ad-hoc proposal reviewers, and to other
experts to ensure that the Foundation is able to reach fair and
knowledgeable judgments. These scientists and educators come from
colleges and universities, nonprofit research and education
organizations, industry, and other Government agencies.
In making its decisions on proposals the counsel of these merit
reviewers has proven invaluable to the Foundation both in the
identification of meritorious projects and in providing sound basis for
project restructuring.
Review of proposals may involve large panel sessions, small groups,
or use of a mail-review system. Proposals are reviewed carefully by
scientists or engineers who are expert in the particular field
represented by the proposal. About one-fourth are reviewed by mail
reviewed by mail reviewers alone. Another one-fourth are reviewed
exclusively by panels of reviewers who gather, usually in Arlington,
VA, to discuss their advice as well as to deliver it. The remaining
one-half are reviewed first by mail reviewers expert in the particular
field, then by panels, usually of persons with more diverse expertise,
who help the NSF decide among proposals from multiple fields or sub-
fields.
Use of the Information
The information collected is used to support grant programs of the
Foundation. The information collected on the proposal evaluation forms
is used by the Foundation to determine the following criteria when
awarding or declining proposals submitted to the Agency: (1) What is
the intellectual merit of the proposed activity? (2) What are the
broader impacts of the proposed activity?
The information collected on reviewer background questionnaires is
used by managers to maintain an automated database of reviewers for the
many disciplines represented by the proposals submitted to the
Foundation. Information collected on gender, race, ethnicity is used in
meeting NSF needs for data to permit response to Congressional and
other queries into equity issues. These data are also used in the
design, implementation, and monitoring of NSF efforts to increase the
participation of various groups in science, engineering, and education.
Confidentiality
Verbatim but anonymous copies of reviews are sent to the principal
investigators/project directors. Subject to this NSF policy and
applicable laws, including the Freedom of Information Act, reviewers'
comments will be given maximum protection from disclosure.
While listings of panelists' names are released, the names of
individual reviewers, associated with individual proposals, are not
released to anyone.
Because the Foundation is committed to monitoring and identifying
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),
the Foundation also collects information regarding race, ethnicity,
disability, and gender. This information is also protected by the
Privacy Act.
Burden on the Public
The Foundation estimates that anywhere from one hour to twenty
hours may be required to review a proposal. It is estimated that
approximately five hours are required to review an average proposal.
Each proposal receives an average of seven reviews.
Send comments to Suzanne Plimpton, Clearance Officer, National
Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 295, Arlington, VA
22230. Written comments should be received by December 30, 1998.
Dated: October 30, 1998.
Mary Lou Higgs,
Acting NSF Reports Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-29604 Filed 11-4-98; 8:45 am]
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