[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 246 (Thursday, December 24, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68417-68418]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-30555]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Guide for 
Preparing and Submitting White Papers to the Technology Innovation 
Program

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 22, 
2010.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Ashley Howell at (301) 975-8252 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology 
(NIST), United States Department of Commerce, requests comments on the 
proposed Guide for Preparing and Submitting White Papers to the 
Technology

[[Page 68418]]

Innovation Program. The guide explains how interested parties can 
participate in helping to develop new areas for future competitions for 
the Technology Innovation Program (TIP) by offering ideas in the form 
of a white paper. These white papers will be used by TIP staff in an 
effort to create a pipeline of societal challenges suitable for future 
funding opportunities. Societal challenges are problems that are not 
being addressed or funded but that could be addressed by innovative 
technologies and high-risk, high-reward research. The creative thoughts 
put forth in these white papers will be used to leverage nationally-
recognized science and technology reports, knowledge from NIST, other 
government agencies, scientific advisory bodies, industry 
organizations, and leading researchers from academic institutions.
    TIP uses white papers to shape future competitions. The pertinent 
ideas, concepts and knowledge offered by stakeholders in these white 
papers combined with information from a variety of other sources, 
enable TIP to identify and address areas of critical national need and 
associated societal challenges suitable for TIP investment.

II. Method of Collection

    Electronically via [email protected].

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: None.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Federal government; State, local and tribal 
governments; Business or other for-profit organizations; Not-for-profit 
institutions; Individuals or households; and scientific advisory 
bodies.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 100.
    Estimated Time per Response: 4 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 400.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $700.

IV. Request for Comments

    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 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: December 18, 2009.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-30555 Filed 12-23-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P