Agency Information Collection Activities: National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) Reviewer Request Form

Issuing agencies

Abstract

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted the following information collection requirement to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal Register, and no comments were received. NSF is forwarding the proposed submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with the publication of this second notice.

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 164 (Wednesday, August 26, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 164 (Wednesday, August 26, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55122-55124]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-17414]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: National Science 
Foundation (NSF) Directorate for Technology, Innovation and 
Partnerships (TIP) Reviewer Request Form

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Submission for OMB review; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted the 
following information collection requirement to OMB for review and 
clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This is the second 
notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal 
Register, and no comments were received. NSF is forwarding the proposed 
submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance 
simultaneously with the publication of this second notice.

[[Page 55123]]


DATES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to <a href="http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAmain">www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAmain</a>. Find this particular 
information collection by selecting ``Currently under 30-day Review--
Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Suzanne H. Plimpton, Reports Clearance 
Officer, National Science Foundation, 401 Dulany Street, Alexandria, VA 
22314; telephone (703) 292-7556; or send email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d8aba8b4b1b5a8acb798b6abbef6bfb7ae"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0774776b6e6a7773684769746129606871">[email&#160;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).
    Comments: Comments regarding (a) whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the NSF, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the NSF's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
use, and clarity of the information on respondents; 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 should be addressed to the points 
of contact in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
    Copies of the submission 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: 
    Title of Collection: National Science Foundation (NSF) Directorate 
for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) Reviewer Request 
Form.
    OMB Control No.: 3145-0273.
    Type of Request: Revision to and extension of approval of an 
information collection.

Proposed Project

    For more than 70 years, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has 
supported the full spectrum of science, technology, engineering, and 
mathematics (STEM) research and education--from foundational, 
curiosity-driven discovery to use-inspired and solutions-oriented 
research that addresses national and economic challenges. Across this 
continuum, scientific discovery, innovation, and technology translation 
are deeply interconnected.
    The NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships 
(TIP) was established to strengthen the agency's capacity to accelerate 
the translation of research outputs to the market. TIP advances use-
inspired and translational research through investments that support 
technology development, workforce development, and regional innovation 
as outlined in the CHIPS and Science Act.
    Some examples of TIP investments include: Accelerating Research 
Translation (ART), (<a href="https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/art-accelerating-research-translation">https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/art-accelerating-research-translation</a>) Innovation Corps (I-Corps) (<a href="https://beta.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/i-corps/about-teams">https://beta.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/i-corps/about-teams</a>), Regional 
Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) (<a href="https://www.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/regional-innovation-engines">https://www.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/regional-innovation-engines</a>), Pathways to Enable Open-
Source Ecosystems (POSE) (<a href="https://www.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/pathways-enable-open-source-ecosystems">https://www.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/pathways-enable-open-source-ecosystems</a>), and America's Seed Fund (SBIR/
STTR) (<a href="https://seedfund.nsf.gov/">https://seedfund.nsf.gov/</a>).
    Due to the breadth and specialized nature of these programs, the 
Directorate requires the ability to recruit reviewers with wide-ranging 
expertise, experience, and perspectives. Appropriate reviewers for TIP 
programs may come from varied sectors and professional backgrounds, 
including academia, industry, startups, venture development, technology 
transfer organizations, workforce development entities, regional 
innovation partnerships, nonprofit organizations, and open-source 
communities.
    Accordingly, NSF requests renewal of Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) approval for the TIP Directorate Reviewer Request Form. 
The information collection enables TIP programs to gather information 
necessary to identify and recruit reviewers whose expertise, 
experience, and professional backgrounds align with the objectives, 
subject matter, and evaluation needs of specific funding opportunities 
and merit review activities.
    The information collection consists of two components. The first 
component aligns with the NSF-wide Reviewer Request Form (NSF 428A) and 
collects standard reviewer information, educational background, 
demographic information, and professional experience. The second 
component contains customizable program-specific questions that allow 
TIP programs to request additional information relevant to the goals 
and needs of individual programs or solicitations.
    Program-specific information may include, but is not limited to:
    <bullet> Areas of technical or domain expertise;
    <bullet> Sector experience (e.g., academia, industry, nonprofit, 
venture, or government);
    <bullet> Experience in technology translation, commercialization, 
entrepreneurship, workforce development, or regional innovation 
ecosystem development;
    <bullet> Professional affiliations, websites, or LinkedIn profiles;
    <bullet> Prior reviewer, mentoring, or startup advisory experience; 
and
    <bullet> Potential conflicts of interest.
    The flexibility afforded by the customizable portion of the TIP 
Reviewer Request Form is necessary because reviewer qualifications 
appropriate for one TIP program may not adequately reflect the 
expertise required for another. The requested information will support 
TIP Program Directors in identifying reviewers with the appropriate 
expertise and perspectives necessary to conduct fair, rigorous, and 
context-appropriate merit review processes across the Directorate's 
diverse portfolio and funding activities.
    Following standard OMB requirements, NSF will require OMB approval 
in advance and provide OMB with a copy of the form containing these 
questions and/or data fields. Data collected will be used strictly for 
reviewer recruiting purposes. The data collection burden to the 
individuals will be limited to no more than 10 minutes of the 
respondents' time in each instance.
    Respondents: Members of the public who possess the expertise and 
experience qualifications to potentially review grant applications 
solicited by NSF's TIP directorate.
    Estimated number of annual respondents: 3,000.
    Burden on the public: It is estimated to take 10 minutes per 
respondent per form, for a total of 500 hours per year.


[[Page 55124]]


    Dated: August 24, 2026.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2026-17414 Filed 8-25-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P


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