Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

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. The full submission may be found at: http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 191 (Monday, October 5, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 191 (Monday, October 5, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63310-63311]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-20339]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request

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. The full 
submission may be found at: <a href="http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>.

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, Randolph Building, 401 Dulany 
Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone (703) 292-7556; or send 
email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ddaeadb1b4b0ada9b29db3aebbf3bab2ab"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0b787b6762667b7f644b65786d256c647d">[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).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    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.
    Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting Requirements for Materials 
Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSECs).
    OMB Number: 3145-0230.

[[Page 63311]]

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; 
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: 185 hours per annual report for each of 22 
centers for a total of 4,070 hours per year.
    Respondents: Non-profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Report: One from each of the 22 
MRSECs.

    Dated: October 1, 2026.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2026-20339 Filed 10-2-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P


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