[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 175 (Friday, September 10, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55359-55360]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-22589]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Notice of Information Collection

AGENCY: National Science Foundation (NSF).

ACTION: Notice of information collection.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to 
request clearance of this collection. As part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, NSF 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 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)). After obtaining and considering public comment, NSF 
will prepare the submission requesting OMB clearance of this collection 
for no longer than 3 years.

DATES: All comments should be submitted within 60 calendar days from 
the date of this publication. Comments received after 60 days will be 
considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: All written comments should be addressed to Suzanne 
Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation, 4201 
Wilson Blvd., Rm. 295, Arlington, VA 22230, or by e-mail to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Suzanne Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, 
National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Rm. 295, Arlington, VA 
22230, or by e-mail to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    Since 1998, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has supported 
interdisciplinary training of doctoral students across the nation 
through the Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship 
(IGERT) Program. NSF awards IGERT grants to institutions that develop 
innovative, interdisciplinary doctoral training programs in science, 
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Unlike 
traditional graduate research or teaching assistantships, IGERT 
provides doctoral students with unrestricted funds, including a living 
stipend plus tuition and fees. NSF intends to conduct an implementation 
evaluation of the program to learn what program elements are most 
effective in fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, research, and 
learning. Specifically, the evaluation will assess the program's 
perceived progress towards its three goals of fostering 
interdisciplinary education, recruiting and retaining a diverse 
population of graduate students, and catalyzing cultural change within 
institutions to better support interdisciplinary endeavors. Data from 
this collection will be used by NSF to respond to OMB and congressional 
inquiries, document best practices for training interdisciplinary 
scientists, and inform decisions about future project modifications.

II. Method of Collection

    Data will be collected via interviews and surveys from faculty 
members and students who have participated in the five most recent 
cohorts (2005-2009) of IGERT projects.

III. Data

    Title: NSF IGERT: Implementation Evaluation.
    OMB Number: 3145-0182.
    Expiration Date: March 31, 2011.
    Type of Review: Renewal.
    Affected Public: Individuals.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,915 (2,000 survey only; 115 
survey and interview; 800 interview only).
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1 or 2 (survey only; 
survey and interview).
    Estimated Time Per Response: 20 minutes for survey only; 50 minutes 
for survey and interview; 30 minutes for interview only.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1162.5 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $300,864.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
NSF, including whether the information collected has practical utility; 
(2) the accuracy of NSF's estimate of the burden (including hours and 
cost) of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to enhance 
the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; 
and

[[Page 55360]]

(4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
respondents, including automated collection techniques or the use of 
other forms of information technology. Comments submitted in response 
to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB 
approval of this information collection. They will also become a matter 
of public record.

    Dated: September 6, 2010.
Suzanne Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2010-22589 Filed 9-9-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P