Notice2026-18178
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; NOAA Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program
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
September 4, 2026
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Abstract
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed and continuing information collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the information collection request to OMB for review and approval.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 171 (Friday, September 4, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 171 (Friday, September 4, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 56866]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-18178]
[[Page 56866]]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment
Request; NOAA Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program
AGENCY: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of information collection, request for comment.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other
Federal agencies to comment on proposed and continuing information
collections, which helps us assess the impact of our information
collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The
purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment
preceding submission of the information collection request to OMB for
review and approval.
DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed
information collection must be received on or before November 3, 2026.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments to
Adrienne Thomas, NOAA PRA Officer, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f0bebfb1b1dea0a2b1b09e9f9191de979f86"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cf81808e8ee19f9d8e8fa1a0aeaee1a8a0b9">[email protected]</span></a>. Please
reference OMB Control Number 0648-0432 in the subject line of your
comments. All comments received are part of the public record and will
generally be posted on <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> without change. Do
not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or
protected information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
specific questions related to collection activities should be directed
to Seaberry Nachbar, NOAA Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program Manager,
NOAA, 99 Pacific Street, Monterey, CA 93940, 831-647-4204,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c497a1a5a6a1b6b6bdea8aa5a7aca6a5b684aaaba5a5eaa3abb2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bbe8dedad9dec9c9c295f5dad8d3d9dac9fbd5d4dada95dcd4cd">[email protected]</span></a>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
This is a request for extension of an existing information
collection.
NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries administers the Dr.
Nancy Foster Scholarship Program, authorized by 16 U.S.C. 1445c-1 and
16 U.S.C. 1445c, which recognizes outstanding achievement in master's
and doctoral degrees in oceanography, marine biology, or maritime
archaeology--this can include but is not limited to ocean and/or
coastal: engineering, social science, marine education, marine
stewardship, or resource management disciplines. The scholarship
supports independent graduate level research through financial support
of graduate degrees in such fields. Gender and minority status are not
considered when selecting award recipients. Scholarships are
distributed by disciplines, institutions, and geography, and by degree
sought, with selections within distributions based on financial need,
the potential for success in a graduate level studies program (academic
achievement), and the potential for achieving research and career
goals. Data collection in the form of a pre-application, full
application, letters of recommendation, grade point average documents,
research outline, a letter of financial need statement, and a
declaration statement are all required to apply for the scholarship.
Applicants submit this information through <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> system. This
information is used for the review and selection of the individuals who
will receive scholarship funds.
Selected awardees will also be requested to prepare a biographical
sketch and photograph for NOAA's scholarship web page. Awardees are
requested to prepare annual progress reports and participate in one
exit interview.
II. Method of Collection
Information for the application is collected through an application
submission, either electronically through the <a href="http://Grants.gov">Grants.gov</a> platform or if
the internet is not available, applicants may submit applications via
mail. Information from selected awardees is collected orally.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0648-0432.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Review: Regular (extension of an approved collection).
Affected Public: Individuals.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 190 (pre-application), 50 (full
application).
Estimated Time per Response: Pre-application: 3 hours; Application
and transcripts: 5 hours; Letters of recommendation: 45 minutes;
Biographical sketch and photograph of awardees: 1 hour; Annual progress
reports: 2 hours; Exit interview: 15 minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 570 burden hours for pre-
application; 450 hours full application.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.
Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1445c-1 and 16 U.S.C. 1445c.
IV. Request for Comments
We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau
to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is
necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether
the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy
of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed
collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions
used; (c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of
the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the reporting burden
on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection
techniques or other forms of information technology.
Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request
to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone
number, email address, or other personal identifying information in
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including
your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available
at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot
guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Sheleen Dumas,
Departmental PRA Compliance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for
Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
[FR Doc. 2026-18178 Filed 9-3-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-NK-P
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