Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; National Science Foundation Proposal/Award Information-NSF Guidance on Financial Assistance

Issuing agencies

Abstract

The U.S. 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 3,277 responses were received, which NSF publicly posted 3,075; any comments not publicly posted were either out of scope or duplicates. NSF is forwarding the proposed renewal 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 207 (Wednesday, October 28, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 207 (Wednesday, October 28, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67875-67876]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-21979]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; 
National Science Foundation Proposal/Award Information--NSF Guidance on 
Financial Assistance

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Submission for OMB review; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. 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 3,277 responses were received, which NSF publicly posted 
3,075; any comments not publicly posted were either out of scope or 
duplicates. NSF is forwarding the proposed renewal submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with 
the publication of this second notice.

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

[[Page 67876]]

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 Delany 
Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone (703) 292-7556; or send 
email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c9afa8afbbb8bcacbabda0a6a7ba89a7baafe7aea6bf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="244245425655514157504d4b4a57644a57420a434b52">[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).
    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: 
    Abstract: NSF made the draft NSF GFA available for review by the 
public between June 24 and August 23, 2026. NSF received 3,277 
responses in response to the Federal Register notice at 91 FR 38030. 
NSF publicly posted 3,075 comments that it determined were relevant to 
the draft GFA. Any comments not publicly posted were either out of 
scope with the content of the notice or duplicates. All in-scope 
comments have been considered in the development of the proposed 
version. A summary of the significant changes and clarifications to the 
GFA has been incorporated into the document.
    The primary purpose of this revision is to update NSF policies 
through the development of the U.S. NSF Proposal and Award Policies and 
Procedures Guide (PAPPG), now to be renamed the NSF Guidance on 
Financial Assistance (GFA), to incorporate plain language, clarify 
language, separate policies from procedures, remove policies no longer 
relevant, incorporate mandated statutory, regulatory, executive order, 
and policy-related changes. The GFA directs users to originating 
statutes, guidance, and regulations, where practicable.
    Title of Collection: ``U.S. National Science Foundation Proposal/
Award Information--NSF Guidance on Financial Assistance''
    OMB Approval Number: 3145-0058.
    Type of Request: NSF intends to seek approval to extend with 
revision an information collection for three years.
    Background: The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) was 
established by the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (Pub. L. 81-
507), as amended, to ``promote the progress of science; to advance the 
national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national 
defense.'' The Act authorizes NSF to initiate and support fundamental 
research, strengthen scientific and engineering research capabilities, 
advance science and engineering education, and undertake other 
activities consistent with its statutory mission.
    Use of the Information: The regular submission of proposals to NSF 
is part of the collection of information and is used to help the agency 
fulfill this responsibility by initiating and supporting merit-selected 
research and education projects in all the scientific and engineering 
disciplines. NSF receives more than 43,000 proposals annually for new 
projects and makes approximately 8,300 financial assistance awards, 
including grants and cooperative agreements. NSF funding is primarily 
made through issuance of grants and cooperative agreements awarded to 
approximately 3,000 institutions of higher education, non-profit 
organizations, tribal nations, for-profit organizations, and state and 
local governments. The awards are based primarily on the merit review 
of proposals submitted to the Foundation.
    Burden on the Public: NSF estimates that a range of between 120 to 
360 hours are expended for each proposal submitted depending on 
proposal complexity. An estimated 43,000 proposals are expected to be 
received during the course of one year for around 5.16 to 15.48 million 
public burden hours annually.
    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; and (e) feedback on the new 
design and display of information for users. Comments, including 
attachments to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, will be posted publicly to the docket 
unchanged. Commenters are encouraged to provide clarity as to the guide 
number and section that each comment is referencing by beginning each 
comment with the relevant section number in brackets. For example; if 
the comment is on Guide 2, Section A. Term and Definition 2. Dear 
Colleague Letters (DCLs), include the following before the comment 
[G2.A.Term 2].

Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2026-21979 Filed 10-27-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P


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