3145-0203 Supporting Statement FINAL

SUPPORTING STATEMENT FOR PAPERWORK REDUCTION SUBMISSION
Biological Sciences Proposal Classification Form (OMB Clearance 3145-0203)
A. JUSTIFICATION
1. CIRCUMSTANCES MAKING COLLECTION OF INFORMATION NECESSARY
Background. The National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (Public Law 81-507) set forth
NSF's mission and purpose:
“To promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare;
to secure the national defense....”
The Act authorized and directed NSF to initiate and support:
™ basic scientific research and research fundamental to the engineering process,
™ programs to strengthen scientific and engineering research potential,
™ science and engineering education programs at all levels and in all the various fields of
science and engineering,
™ programs that provide a source of information for policy formulation,
™ and other activities to promote these ends.

Over the years, NSF's statutory authority has been modified in a number of significant
ways. In 1968, authority to support applied research was added to the Organic Act. In 1980,
The Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act gave NSF standing authority to support
activities to improve the participation of women and minorities in science and engineering.
Another major change occurred in 1986, when engineering was accorded equal status with
science in the Organic Act.

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NSF has always dedicated itself to providing the leadership and vision needed to keep the words and
ideas embedded in its mission statement fresh and up-to-date. Even in today's rapidly changing
environment, NSF's core purpose resonates clearly in everything it does: promoting achievement and
progress in science and engineering and enhancing the potential for research and education to contribute
to the Nation. While NSF's vision of the future and the mechanisms it uses to carry out its charges have
evolved significantly over the last four decades, its ultimate mission remains the same.

2. HOW, BY WHOM, AND PURPOSE FOR WHICH INFORMATION IS TO BE USED
The information gathered with the Biological Sciences Proposal Classification Form serves
two main purposes. The first is facilitation of the proposal review process. Since peer review is
a key component of NSF's grant-making process, it is imperative that proposals are reviewed by
scientists with appropriate expertise. The information collected with the Proposal Classification
Form helps ensure that the proposals are evaluated by specialists who are well versed in appropriate subject matter. This helps maintain a fair and equitable review process.
The second use of the information is program evaluation. The Directorate is committed to
investing in a range of substantive areas. With data from this collection, the Directorate can calculate submission rates and funding rates in specific areas of research. Similarly, the information
can be used to identify emerging areas of research, evaluate changing infrastructure needs in the
research community, and track the amount of international research. As the National Science
Foundation is committed to funding cutting-edge science, these factors all have implications for
program management.
3. USE OF AUTOMATION
The collection of information will be fully electronic and occur via NSF's already existent
web-based program, FastLane.
4. EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY DUPLICATION

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As the information requested is specific to an individual proposal submission, duplication
would only occur if the same information were being requested by another area of the Foundation at the time of submission. Currently, that is not the case, and the information the Directorate
is requesting is unique. The Directorate of Biological Sciences has a continuing commitment to
monitor its information collection in order to preserve its applicability and necessity. Through
periodic updates and revisions, the Directorate ensures that only useful, non-redundant information is collected. These efforts will reduce excessive reporting burdens.
5. SMALL BUSINESS CONSIDERATIONS
There is no significant impact on small entities.
6. CONSEQUENCES OF LESS FREQUENT COLLECTION
The collected information is specific to each proposal being submitted, so it is most reasonably collected at the time of proposal submission. Proposals are submitted in response to different
solicitations that vary in terms of 1) the types of research being targeted and 2) the submission
deadlines. The only way to capture the full breadth of research being proposed is to conduct the
information collection at all proposal deadlines. To do otherwise would ignore certain types of
research, skew the data, and paint an inaccurate picture of the types of proposals submitted over
the course of the year.
7. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES FOR COLLECTION
N/A
8. FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE.
The Biological Sciences Proposal Classification form was published for public comment in
the Federal Register Vo. 74, No. 47/Thursday, March 12, 2009. No comments were received.
OUTSIDE CONSULTATION

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Every three years, Divisions within the Directorate are reviewed by a panel of outsiders referred to as a Committee of Visitors. The Committee reviews all Divisional activities, including
use of the Biological Classification Form, and will have the opportunity to comment on the
form's use, appropriateness, and effectiveness.
9. GIFTS OR REMUNERATION
There are no payments or gifts associated with this information collection.
10. CONFIDENTIALITY PROVIDED TO RESPONDENTS
As participation is voluntary and no sensitive information is being collected, no assurance of
confidentiality is given to respondents.
11. QUESTIONS OF A SENSITIVE NATURE
None of the information being collected is of a sensitive nature
12. ESTIMATE OF BURDEN
There are five versions of the Biological Sciences Proposal Classification Form (NSF 1560).
There are five Divisions within the Directorate, and each form follows the specific needs for
each Division, as follows:
•

Division of Integrative Organismal Systems

•

Division of Biological Infrastructure

•

Division of Environmental Biology

•

Emerging Frontiers

•

Division of Molecular and Cellular Bioscience

The estimated, aggregated, annual hour burden for all five versions of the form is 570 hours.
The Directorate anticipates a total of 6,800 respondents to the Biology Directorate’s divisions’
program announcements, each giving one response. The estimated time per response is 5 min-

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utes. This was calculated by averaging the response time of a sample of five individuals. All
five versions of the form have the same estimated hour burden.
ANNUALIZED COST TO RESPONDENTS
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2008, the mean annual salary for "Biological science teachers, postsecondary" is $83,270 which translates to an hourly wage of $40.03.
The total estimated annualized cost to respondents is therefore $22,817 ($40.03x570).
13. CAPITAL/STARTUP COSTS
NSF does not require respondents to purchase or lease equipment to complete our information collection.
14. ANNUALIZED COST TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Making use of preexisting infrastructure for both collection and maintenance, this information collection comes at no additional cost to the federal government.
15. CHANGES IN BURDEN
The change in burden is due to an anticipated increase in the number of respondents for the
form. The actual burden time to respondents has not changed.
16. PUBLICATION OF COLLECTION
N/A
17. SEEKING APPROVAL TO NOT DISPLAY OMB EXPIRATION DATE
N/A
18. EXCEPTION(S) TO THE CERTIFICATION STATEMENT (19) ON OMB 83-I
N/A
B. STATISTICAL METHODS
Not applicable.

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