Electronic Application for NIH Certificates of Confidentiality (CoC E-application System)
No material or nonsubstantive change to a currently approved collection
No
Regular
10/13/2022
Requested
Previously Approved
04/30/2025
04/30/2025
795
795
1,193
1,193
0
0
NIH is requesting a revision for three years. In 2015, NIH launched an online application system for researchers to request a Certificate of Confidentiality (CoC) from NIH. In 2020, NIH launched a new CoC online request system with fewer data fields than the 2015 system, to decrease the burden on the requester and NIH staff. Information is collected to allow confirmation of eligibility for a CoC and to issue a Certificate. Eligible requesters receive an electronic Certificate once approved. The revision to the CoC system data fields is to add an optional data field that allows the researcher to identify another person to receive CoC system communication and the approved CoC. Currently, there are two persons for which we request an email address (the Principal Investigator and the Institutional Official); these persons receive CoC system communications and the approved CoC.
US Code:
42 USC 241(d)
Name of Law: US Public Health Service Act
The proposed revision of adding an optional data field that allows the researcher to identify another person to receive CoC system communications and the approved CoC is addressing a request from multiple researchers and will reduce the administrative burden to researchers associated with maintaining their CoC. NIH received 795 requests for CoCs from January 2020 through December 2020, which is a difference of 266 more requests from what was previously approved by OMB; NIH expects to receive approximately the same number of requests in subsequent years
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.