The information collected is the application information required to the candidates (students) for summer internship assignment.
NASA is requesting emergency approval for the collection of data to support the operation of the Lewis Educational and Research Collaborative Internship Program. This undergraduate and graduate scholarship program is to develop the future STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) workforce in the United States. LERCIP is a center unique program that provides paid 10-week internships to graduating high school students through PhD candidates.
The emergency nature of this request is due to delays in the procuring of funds to support the task. While funding for the task was requested in February of 2008 the budget was not received until September of 2008. We request that NASA be granted an emergency approval so that the 2009-application process can proceed. If this emergency request is not granted the LERCIP program will not be able to offer students this opportunity. The normal application period is November through January 2009 for the upcoming summer placement of students. This early application window is due to the LERCIP selection process. The students apply usually by January and their applications are reviewed by GRC mentors in the February early March. Students are identified in March, and then notified by April 15; the students accept or decline the offer in March or early April so the process is done by the close of the school year while the students may still be available. Going past this time frame encounters significant issues. The students must be made aware of the program and have the opportunity to apply, at the same time as the other internships/scholarships are offered, so they can make an informed decision on which internship they would like to accept. Due to the delays in budget we are almost unable to meet this schedule. We were not able to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR) previous to this time because we had not determined what the required data would be for the undergraduate and graduate applications, the data required. The directorates at the NASA Glenn Research Center provide the funding for the internships via Purchase Requests that are submitted and processed via the LERCIP Grant. It is estimated that GRC will host approximately 100 higher education students. If the emergency request is not approved, the opportunity for 100 plus students (throughout the U.S.) to apply and be selected to be part of the LERCIP summer internship program will be lost. With the situation of the current economy it is more important than ever that NASA continue to be an advocate to provide internship opportunities to students. LERCIP students will learn why it is important for them to continue their pursuit of continued education and ultimately employment in STEM disciplines at NASA, industry, or higher education.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
LERCP (Lewis Educational Research and Collaborative Internship Program)
LERCIP Supporting Statement 2009v2.doc
LERCP (Lewis Educational Research and Collaborative Internship Program)