Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; Grantee Reporting Requirements for the U.S. National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) Program

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Published

October 20, 2026

Issuing agencies

National Science Foundation

Abstract

The 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 an opportunity for public comment 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.

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 201 (Tuesday, October 20, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 201 (Tuesday, October 20, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66368-66370]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-21461]

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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION

Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request;
Grantee Reporting Requirements for the U.S. National Science Foundation
Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) Program

AGENCY: National Science Foundation (NSF).

ACTION: Notice with comment period.

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SUMMARY: The 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 an opportunity for
public comment 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.

[[Page 66369]]

DATES: Written comments on this notice must be received by December 21,
2026, to be assured consideration. Comments received after that date
will be considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to address
below.
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.

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#0c7f7c6065617c78634c627f6a226b637a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8efdfee2e7e3fefae1cee0fde8a0e9e1f8">[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:
Title of Collection: Grantee Reporting Requirements for the U.S.
National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines)
Program.
OMB Control Number: 3145-0284.
Expiration Date of Approval: December 31, 2026.
Type of Request: Request for approval to renew an information
collection.
Proposed Project: The U.S. National Science Foundation Regional
Innovation Engines (Engines) program, led by NSF's Directorate for
Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP), is NSF's flagship
investment in place-based innovation. Established pursuant to the CHIPS
and Science Act of 2022, the program invests in regions across the
United States to bring together the research, talent, partnerships, and
resources needed to turn advances in science and technology into
economic and societal benefits. Each NSF Engine serves a defined
geographic Region of Service (RoS), the area intended to benefit from
the NSF Engine's activities and investments, and is organized around
technologies and challenges important to that region and the Nation.
Specifically, the program seeks to:
<bullet> Advance key technology areas critical to U.S.
competitiveness;
<bullet> Address pressing national and societal challenges;
<bullet> Cultivate partnerships across industry, academia,
government, nonprofit organizations, civil society and communities of
practice;
<bullet> Promote economic growth and job creation; and
<bullet> Develop the regional workforce and talent needed to
sustain innovation.
Each NSF Engine carries out these objectives through three core
functions: use-inspired research and development, translation of
innovation results to society, and workforce development. Together,
these activities are intended to strengthen a RoS's capacity to develop
and commercialize new technologies, create and grow businesses, prepare
workers for new opportunities, and attract additional investment. Over
time, NSF Engines are expected to develop into sustainable regional
innovation ecosystems that contribute to economic growth and U.S.
competitiveness.
NSF Engines are substantial, long-term investments. Each NSF Engine
may receive NSF funding for up to 10 years, based on its performance
and progress toward established goals and milestones. As NSF Engines
develop, their activities, partnerships, and sources of support are
expected to grow and evolve. Regular reporting on a defined cadence
helps NSF Engines teams track performance, identify and address issues,
and adjust their strategies as needed. At the same time, it allows NSF
to assess progress across the portfolio, identify risks and emerging
challenges, and make informed program management and funding decisions.
Project Reporting Requirements: NSF is seeking renewed approval
from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the revised Grantee
Reporting Requirements for NSF Engines Program information collection.
The collection consists of four reporting components: (1) Quarterly
Reports; (2) the Engine Report Template; (3) the Strategic and
Implementation Plan; and (4) the Strategic Growth Plan. Each serves a
distinct purpose; together, they provide NSF with information to
monitor the implementation, performance, and development of each NSF
Engine over the life of the award and the program holistically.
Quarterly Reports will be required in the first quarter (Q1) and
third quarter (Q3) of the first year. These reports provide timely
information on NSF Engine operations, implementation, performance, and
emerging issues. The two Quarterly Reports cover the first year and
include the following required narrative sections:
1. Personnel, Governance and Operations;
2. Programmatic Activities; and
3. Partners and New Collaborations.
The Engines Report Template (ERT) will be submitted semiannually
throughout the ten (10) years of the award in lieu of the NSF Research
Performance Progress Report (RPPR). The ERT consists of two components:
a tabular component for quantitative information, and a narrative
component for qualitative information. The tabular component collects
standardized and structured information across 10 areas:
1. Personnel;
2. Programmatic Activities;
3. Research, Development and Translation (RD&T) Outputs;
4. Workforce Development (WFD) Outputs;
5. Innovation Ecosystem Building Actions;
6. Innovation Ecosystem Building Infrastructure;
7. Partners;
8. Non-Partner Commitments and Resources;
9. Risk and Opportunity Register; and
10. Awardee Specified Metrics.
The narrative component provides context for the information
reported in these areas, including implementation progress, challenges,
and outcomes. Award recipients will also describe significant changes
since the previous reporting period and, as applicable, explain
deviations from previously established plans. Together, the
quantitative and qualitative components allow NSF to track measurable
progress while understanding the circumstances affecting an individual
NSF Engine's performance.
The Strategic and Implementation Plan (SIP) is a forward-looking
strategy for the Emergent phase of the award (project years three
through five). Each NSF Engine starts development of the SIP in year
one and completes it by the end of year two. The SIP is used by NSF to
evaluate the NSF Engine for continued support beyond year two. The SIP
sections include the following:
(1) Vision, Mission, Goals and Measurable Metrics;
(2) Research and Development;
(3) Translation, including intellectual property strategy;
(4) Workforce Development;
(5) Economic Development;
(6) Governance and Management;
(7) Partnerships; and

[[Page 66370]]

(8) Project Evaluation.
The Strategic Growth Plan (SGP) builds upon the SIP and shifts the
focus from early implementation to the NSF Engine's longer-term growth
and sustainability. Beginning in year four, NSF Engines develop a
forward-looking strategy for the Growth phase of the award, with
additional planning refinement, and finalization occurring in year
five. The SGP addresses:
(1) A strategy for establishing the RoS as a national leader in the
NSF Engine's technology area(s);
(2) Strategies for attracting, creating, and supporting businesses
in the region;
(3) Goals, strategies, milestones, and measures of progress for
research and development, translation, workforce and economic
development;
(4) A sustainability plan describing how the RoS will maintain and
increase economic growth beyond NSF funding; and
(5) Strategies for sustaining NSF Engine activities, programs, and
other efforts important to continued research, translation, workforce
development, and economic growth within the RoS.
Use of the Information: NSF uses the information from these four
types of reports to monitor implementation and performance; assess
progress toward established goals, milestones, and outcomes; identify
risks and areas requiring attention; ensure compliance with award terms
and conditions; and support program management, evaluation, and
reporting to NSF leadership, the Administration, and Congress.
The reporting requirements also provide a consistent record of how
each NSF Engine develops over time. The Quarterly Reports and ERT
capture ramp-up and ongoing implementation and performance to determine
whether NSF Engines are advancing their proposed strategies and
developing partnerships, capabilities, and resources needed to sustain
their regional innovation ecosystems over time. The SIP and SGP provide
details to NSF on each NSF Engine's forward-looking plans in order to
make decisions about continued funding for the NSF Engine during phase
transitions and establish the metrics that will be reported against in
future ERTs.
Burden on the Public: The reporting requirements applicable to an
individual NSF Engine vary based on its stage of development and year
of the award. Table 1 summarizes each reporting component, the
anticipated number of respondents and responses, and the estimated
burden per response.

Table 1--Reporting Requirements and Estimated Burden per Response
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Number of NSF Number of
Reporting component engines responses per Minimum burden per Maximum burden per Respondent types
reporting year response (hours) response (hours)
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ERT Reports.......................... 21 2 10......................... 20......................... NSF Engine CEO,
Leadership team,
Evaluation Lead,
Communications Lead.
Quarterly Reports (only in year 1 of 12 2 10......................... 20......................... NSF Engine CEO,
the new projects). Leadership team,
Evaluation Lead,
Communications Lead.
Strategic and Implementation Plan 12 1 Year 1: 40................. Year 1: 80................. NSF Engine CEO,
(SIP). Year 2: 50................. Year 2: 100................ Leadership team,
Advisory entities.
Strategic Growth Plan (SGP).......... 21 1 Year 3: 5.................. Year 3: 10................. NSF Engine CEO,
Year 4: 50................. Year 4: 150................ Leadership team,
Year 5: 100................ Year 5: 120................ Advisory entities.
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Because the reporting requirements vary over the lifetime of an NSF
Engine award, the burden estimates in Table 1 do not apply
simultaneously to every NSF Engine. For example, a newly awarded NSF
Engine would incur an estimated 80-160 hours of reporting burden in
Year 1 for ERT Reports, Quarterly Reports, and SIP; 70-140 hours in
Year 2 for ERT Reports and SIP; 25-50 hours in Year 3 for ERT Reports
and SGP. This yields an estimated three-year total burden of 175-350
hours per each newly awarded Engine.

Dated: October 16, 2026.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2026-21461 Filed 10-19-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P

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