Notice2026-04577
Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; Grantee Reporting Requirements for Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSECs)
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
March 9, 2026
Issuing agencies
National Science Foundation
Abstract
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to renew this collection. In accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are providing opportunity for public comments on this action. After obtaining and considering public comment, NSF will prepare the submission requesting Office of Management and Budget (OMB) clearance of this collection for no longer than 3 years.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 45 (Monday, March 9, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 45 (Monday, March 9, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11343-11344]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-04577]
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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request;
Grantee Reporting Requirements for Materials Research Science and
Engineering Centers (MRSECs)
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans
to renew this collection. In accordance with the requirements of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are providing opportunity for
public comments on this action. After obtaining and considering public
comment, NSF will prepare the submission requesting Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) clearance of this collection for no longer
than 3 years.
DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by May 8, 2026
to be assured consideration. Comments received after that date will be
considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to address below.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance
Officer, National Science Foundation, Randolph Building, 401 Dulaney
Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone (703) 292-7556; or send
email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f98a89959094898d96b9978a9fd79e968f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b7c4c7dbdedac7c3d8f7d9c4d199d0d8c1">[email protected]</span></a>. Individuals who use a telecommunications
device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay
Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339, which is accessible 24 hours a day, 7
days a week, 365 days a year (including Federal holidays).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting Requirements for Materials
Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSECs)
OMB Number: 3145-0230.
Expiration Date of Approval: June 30, 2026.
Type of Request: Intent to seek approval to renew an information
collection.
Overview of This Information Collection
The Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSECs)
Program provides sustained support of materials science and education
of the highest quality while addressing fundamental problems in science
and engineering. The MRSECs support materials research infrastructure
in the United States, promote active collaboration between universities
and other sectors, including industry, national laboratories, and
international organizations. They contribute to the development of
national university-based centers in materials research, education, and
facilities. By supporting innovation in interdisciplinary research,
education, and knowledge transfer, MRSECs build intellectual and
physical infrastructure within and between disciplines, and weave
together knowledge creation, knowledge integration, and knowledge
transfer. New knowledge thus created is meaningfully linked to society.
MRSECs enable and foster excellent education, integrate research
and education, and create bonds between learning and inquiry so that
discovery and creativity more fully support the learning process.
MRSECs are required to submit annual reports on progress and plans,
which are used as a basis for performance review and determining the
level of continued funding. To support this review and the management
of a Center, MRSECs will be required to develop a set of management and
performance indicators for submission annually to NSF via the Research
Performance Project Reporting module in <a href="http://Research.gov">Research.gov</a> and an external
technical assistance contractor that collects programmatic data
electronically. These indicators are both quantitative and descriptive
and may include, for example, the characteristics of center personnel
and students; sources of financial support and in-kind support;
[[Page 11344]]
expenditures by operational component; characteristics of industrial
and/or other sector participation; research activities; education
activities; knowledge transfer activities; patents, licenses;
publications; degrees granted to students involved in Center
activities; descriptions of significant advances and other outcomes of
the MRSEC effort. Such reporting requirements are included in the
cooperative agreement that is binding between the academic institution
and NSF.
Each Center's annual report will address the following categories
of activities: (1) research, (2) shared experimental facilities, (3)
education, (4) knowledge transfer, (5) partnerships, (6) management,
and (7) budget issues.
For each of the categories the report will describe overall
objectives for the year, specific outputs and outcomes of the reporting
period, challenges that the Center has encountered in making progress
towards goals and remedies, and plans for the following year.
MRSECs are required to file a final annual report through the RPPR
and external technical assistance contractor. Final annual reports
contain similar information and metrics as annual reports, effectively
they constitute the last annual report; the Program Officer maintains a
cumulative database with all relevant achievements and metrics.
Use of the Information: NSF will use the information to continue
funding of the Centers, and to evaluate the progress of the program.
Estimate of Burden: 80 hours per annual report for each of 20
centers for a total of 1600 hours per year.
Respondents: Non-profit institutions.
Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One from each of the 20
MRSECs.
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 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; and (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.
Dated: March 5, 2026.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2026-04577 Filed 3-6-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
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