NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION-MANAGED HONORARY AWARDS
SUPPORTING STATEMENT FOR PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT SUBMISSION
(OMB Approval Number 3145-0035)
Justification
Circumstances making the collection of information necessary.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) administers six external awards: the President's National Medal of Science; the Alan T. Waterman Award; the National Science Board (NSB) Vannevar Bush Award; the NSB Science and Society Award; the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM); and Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).
President's National Medal of Science. Statutory authority for the President's National Medal of Science is contained in 42 U.S.C. 1881 (P.L. 86-209), which established the award and stated that “(t)he President shall . . . award the Medal on the recommendations received from the National Academy of Sciences or on the basis of such other information and evidence as . . . appropriate” (attached). More information about the President's National Medal of Science Award (established in 1959) can be found at the following Web-site: http://www.nsf.gov/od/nms/medal.jsp
Alan T. Waterman Award. Congress established the Alan T. Waterman Award in August 1975 (42 U.S.C. 1881a (P.L. 94-86)) (attached) and authorized NSF to “establish the Alan T. Waterman Award for research or advanced study in any of the sciences or engineering" to mark the 25th anniversary of the National Science Foundation and to honor its first Director. The annual award recognizes up to three outstanding young researchers in any field of science or engineering supported by NSF. In addition to a medal, the awardee receives a grant of $1,000,000 over a five-year period for scientific research or advanced study in the mathematical, physical, medical, biological, engineering, social, or other sciences at the institution of the recipient’s choice. More information about the Alan T. Waterman Award can be found at the following Web-site: http://www.nsf.gov/od/waterman/waterman.jsp
Vannevar Bush Award. The Vannevar Bush Award honors exceptional lifelong leaders in science and technology. NSB established this award in 1980 in memory of Vannevar Bush. Bush served as a science advisor to the U.S. President during World War II, helped establish Federal funding for science and engineering as a national priority during peacetime, and was behind the creation of the National Science Foundation. More information about the Vannevar Bush Award can be found on NSB’s website: http://www.nsf.gov/nsb/awards/bush.jsp
Science and Society Award (previously Public Service Award). The NSB Science and Society Award honors individuals and groups that have made substantial contributions to increasing public understanding and appreciation of science and engineering in the United States. These contributions may be in the arts, media, education, or training programs. More information about the Science and Society Award can be found on NSB’s website: http://www.nsf.gov/nsb/awards/public.jsp
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) recognizes individuals and organizations for their mentoring of persons from groups underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), including racial and ethnic groups, women, persons with disabilities, persons from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds, and early career scientists and engineers. The awards were established in 1995. More information about the PAESMEM award can be found at the following website: https://nsf.gov/awards/presidential.jsp. This award is managed at NSF by the Directorate for Education and Human Resources (EHR), on behalf of the White House.
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are the highest honors kindergarten through 12th-grade STEM teachers may receive for outstanding instruction in the United States. The awards were established in 1983. Each year, the President bestows up to 110 awards. In even-numbered years, nominations are accepted from elementary teachers (grades K-6); in odd-numbered years, secondary teachers (grades 7-12) are nominated. More information about the PAEMST award can be found at https://nsf.gov/awards/presidential.jsp and paemst.nsf.gov. This award is managed at NSF by the Directorate for STEM Education (EDU) on behalf of the White House.
How and By Whom the Information will be Used. Each award has its own set of criteria and nomination procedures, as described below.
President’s National Medal of Science. Executive Order 10961 specified procedures for the award by establishing a President’s National Medal of Science Committee which would receive recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences and “. . . similar recommendations made by any other nationally representative scientific or engineering organization.” On the basis of these recommendations, the Committee was directed to select candidates and forward its recommendations to the President.
In 1962, to comply with these directives, the Committee initiated a solicitation form letter to invite these nominations. In 1979, the Committee initiated a nomination form as an attachment to the solicitation letter. A slightly modified version of the nomination form was used in 1980. The Committee agreed that such a form standardized the nomination format, benefiting the nominator, making the Committee’s review process more efficient and permitted better staff work in a shorter period of time. Form NSF-1122 (included with the attached nomination package) was used to further standardize the nomination procedures, thus continuing to allow for more effective committee review, and permitting better staff work in a shorter period of time. Beginning in 2003, the nominations were received primarily through the FastLane system. The FastLane system gathered the information requested in form NSF-1122 and allowed for the faster review of nominations in addition to more confidentiality and less paper waste. In 2022 with the sunsetting of the FastLane system, nominations began to be received through the OpenWater platform. The platform has the same functionality as FastLane for collecting information requested in form NSF-1122, but with even greater ease of use for nominators and staff.
The Committee has established the following considerations for selection of candidates:
The impact of an individual's body of work on the current state of his or her field of science or engineering;
Whether the individual's achievements are of an unusually significant nature in relation to the potential effects on the development of thought in his or her field of science or engineering;
Whether the nominee has demonstrated unusually distinguished service in the general advancement of science and/or engineering for the Nation, especially when accompanied by substantial contributions to the content of science;
The recognition of the nominee by peers within his or her community, and whether s/he is recognized for substantial impact in fields in addition to his/her discipline;
If the nominee has made contributions to innovation and industry;
Whether the nominee has demonstrated sustained influence on education through publications, teaching activities, outreach, mentoring, etc. and;
Whether the nominee's contributions have created significant positive impact for the Nation.
Nominations remain active for a period of three years, including the year of nomination. After that time, candidates must be re-nominated with a new nomination package for them to be considered by the Committee.
Alan T. Waterman Award. The Alan T. Waterman Award Committee was established by NSF to comply with the directive contained in P.L. 94-86. The Committee solicits nominations from members of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, academia, university presidents, college deans, scientific and technical organizations, and any other source, public or private, as appropriate.
In 1976, the Committee initiated a form letter to solicit these nominations. In 1980, a nomination form (NSF 1123) and reference form (NSF 1124) were used which standardized the nomination procedures, allowed for more effective Committee review, and permitted better staff work in a short period of time. Both forms are included in the attached nomination package. Beginning in 2003, the nominations were received primarily through the FastLane system. The FastLane system gathered the information requested in forms NSF-1123 and NSF-1124 and allowed for the faster review of nominations in addition to more confidentiality and less paper waste. In 2022 with the sunsetting of the FastLane system, nominations began to be received through the OpenWater platform. The platform has the same functionality as FastLane for collecting information requested in form NSF-1123 and NSF-1124, but with even greater ease of use for nominators and staff.
On the basis of its review, the Committee forwards its recommendations to the Director, NSF.
Candidates must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and must be 40 years of age or younger or not more than ten years beyond receipt of the Ph.D. degree by December 31 of the year in which they are nominated. Candidates should have demonstrated exceptional individual achievements in scientific or engineering research of sufficient quality to place them at the forefront of their peers. Criteria include originality, innovation, and significant impact on the field.
Vannevar Bush Award. Each year, the National Science Board’s External Engagement Committee solicits and manages nominations for the NSB’s Vannevar Bush Award. The Committee prepares a slate of finalists from which the Board selects an awardee.
Candidates for the Vannevar Bush Award must be U.S. citizens and meet two out of three selection criteria:
Intellectual Merit – advanced and helped mold the frontiers of knowledge, technology, education
Public Service to the Nation – demonstrated distinguished public service to enhance the nation’s science and technology ecosystem
Societal Benefits – delivered benefits to the nation through science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
Nomination Procedure:
No more than 900 words that highlight how the candidate meets two out of three of the award selection criteria. Nominations may be emailed to [email protected] or uploaded to NSB’s portal while nominations are open in the fall.
Nominations remain active for three years, including the year of nomination. After that time, candidates must be re-nominated.
Science and Society Award. Each year, the National Science Board’s External Engagement Committee solicits and manages nominations for the NSB’s Science and Society Award. The Committee prepares a slate of finalists from which the Board selects an awardee. Candidates for the Science and Society Award should have demonstrated outstanding leadership and accomplishment in two out of three selection criteria:
Enhanced public understanding and appreciation of science and technology.
Inspired scientists and engineers to engage with individuals of all ages in schools, civic groups, and other communities to address society needs.
Fostered diversity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Nomination Procedure:
No more than 900 words that highlight how the candidate meets two out of three of the award selection criteria. Nominations may be emailed to [email protected] or uploaded to NSB’s portal while nominations are open in the fall.
Nominations remain active for three years, including the year of nomination. After that time, candidates must be re-nominated.
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM). Presidential Awardees serve as exemplars to their colleagues and are leaders in the national effort to more fully develop the Nation's human resources in STEM. Presidential Awardees receive a certificate signed by the President of the United States, a trip to Washington D.C. to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities, and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.
Nomination Criteria:
A mentor may be nominated by the public or may self-nominate.
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants must have demonstrated outstanding and sustained mentoring and effective guidance to a significant number of persons historically underrepresented in STEM.
The Individual or Organizational program must have served in the described mentoring role for at least five years prior to nomination.
Individuals and Organizations who have demonstrated outstanding and sustained mentoring and effective guidance to a significant number of K-12 students, teachers, undergraduate or graduate students, or early career STEM professionals.
Applications for an "Individual Award" must clearly delineate the achievements of the individual as separate from those of the organization.
An Individual applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
An Individual applicant may be federal government employee except for those identified in the U.S. Code Title 5.
Organizations (U.S. educational institutions or agencies, corporations, foundations, military or government agencies, or not-for-profit organizations)) that, through their programming, have enabled a substantial number of students underrepresented in science, mathematics and engineering to successfully pursue and complete the relevant degree programs.
Applications for an "Organizational Award" must reflect the achievements of the organization as distinct from those of individuals.
Multiple programs or individuals from the same institution may apply; however, each program or individual may apply only one time per competition.
Former recipients of the PAESMEM individual award are not eligible, organizational awardees may apply again after 10 years.
Application Process:
Applications must include a narrative addressing four dimensions of outstanding mentoring, supplemental materials, references cited, publications list mentor information, organizational representative confirmation form if an organizational applicant, three letters of recommendation, and resume.
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) Presidential Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in the improvement of mathematics and science education. Awardees receive a certificate signed by the President of the United States, a trip to Washington D.C. to attend a series of recognition events and professional development opportunities, and a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.
Nomination Criteria:
A teacher may be nominated by a principal, another teacher, students, members of the community, or the general public. Self-nominations are allowed.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
teach STEM as part of their contracted teaching responsibilities at the K-12 grade level in a public (including charter) or private school;
hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution;
be full-time employees of the school or school district as determined by state and district policies, with responsibilities for teaching students no less than 50% of the school’s allotted instructional time;
have at least five years of full-time employment as a K-12 teacher during which STEM has been a part of the applicant’s teaching duties prior to nomination;
teach in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Department of Defense Education Activity schools, or the U.S. jurisdictions as a group (American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands);
be U.S. citizens or permanent residents; and
not have received the PAEMST award at the national level in any prior competition or category.
Application Process:
Applicants complete a written document concerning five dimensions of outstanding teaching (content knowledge, pedagogy, assessment, reflective practice, and leadership), submit a video of one class lesson, supplemental materials, three letters of reference, and references cited.
Consideration of the Use of Information Technology.
The OpenWater platform is an external portal to NSF used for submitting the National Medal of Science and Alan T. Waterman nominations. The platform provides a secure method of electronic submission Other nomination submission possibilities include grants.gov, electronic mail, U.S. Postal Service, or submission through a secure portal external to NSF. PAESMEM is submitted through the www.paesmem.net portal and PAEMST is submitted through the www.paemst.org portal.
Efforts to Identify Duplication.
These awards are unique to NSF and are not duplicated elsewhere.
Efforts to Minimize Burden on Small Entities.
Small entities are not affected by this information collection.
Consequences if Data Collection is Not Conducted.
NSF collects these data to evaluate candidates for the highest science and engineering honors bestowed by a public agency in the United States. In order to recognize significant contributions to science (and as noted in A.1. above), three of these awards were legislatively enacted; two were created by the NSB, which is comprised of Presidential appointees; and one was created by the NSTC and OSTP, comprised of Presidential appointees and the science policy office of the White House. These data are collected in this format to provide as equitable an opportunity as possible for nominees and nominators to highlight scientific achievements.
Circumstances Requiring Deviation from Guidelines of 5 CFR 1320.
There are no deviations to 5 CFR 1320.
Federal Register Announcement and Other Consultations Outside the Agency.
The first notice was published in the Federal Register on September 28, 2023, at 88 FR 66910, and no comments were received.
Payments to Respondents.
Not applicable.
Confidentiality.
Respondents are assured that their responses are confidential, both in the solicitation and on the required forms. The President's Medal of Science, the Alan T. Waterman Award, the Vannevar Bush Award, the Public Service Award, the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring, and the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching include statements about the Privacy Act.
Sensitive Questions.
No questions of a sensitive nature are asked.
Response Burden Hours.
These are annual award programs with application deadlines varying according to the program. Public burden also may vary according to the program; however, it is estimated that each submission is averaged to be 10 hours per respondent for each program. If the nominator is thoroughly familiar with the scientific background of the nominee, time spent to complete the nomination may be considerably reduced.
Respondents include individuals, business or other for-profit organizations, universities, non-profit institutions, and Federal and State governments.
Estimated Annual Burden:
Award |
Estimated Number of Responses |
Estimated Annual Burden Hours per Response |
Total Estimated Annual Burden Hours |
President’s National Medal of Science |
100 |
20 |
2000 |
Alan T. Waterman Award |
150 |
15 |
2250 |
Vannevar Bush Award |
10 |
5 |
50 |
Science and Society Award |
15 |
5 |
75 |
PAESMEM |
200 |
20 |
4000 |
PAEMST |
1000 |
24 |
24,000 |
Totals |
1,475 |
|
32,375 |
Burden Cost to Respondents.
Not applicable.
Annualized Cost to the Federal Government.
The estimated, annualized cost of $412,800 is broken down as follows:
2 full-time = $300,000 (NMS, Waterman, PAEMST, PAESMEM)
14 reviewers at $1600 per reviewer (includes travel and accommodations for one day) = $22,400.
14 reviewers at $1600 per reviewer (includes travel and accommodations for one day) = $22,400.
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring
30 reviewers at $400 per reviewer = $12,000. Estimates are based on virtual panels.
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching
140 reviewers at $400 per reviewer = $56,000. Estimates are based on virtual panels.
Technical support and costs associated with the review of submitted applications is estimated to be $50,000
The 2024 costs are as follows:
Data Center Hosting of NSBO systems $12,000
Reasons for any Program Changes (Items 13 or 14).
Better accounting for the time it takes to complete a nomination.
Publication of Information.
Not applicable.
Display of Expiration Date for OMB Approval.
Not applicable.
Any Exceptions to the Certification Statement.
There are no exceptions to the Certification Statement.
Part B: Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods
Not Applicable
Supplemental Documents:
42 U.S.C. 1881 (P.L. 86-209) (President’s National Medal of Science)
42 U.S.C. 1881a (P.L. 94-86) (Alan T. Waterman Award)
42 U.S.C. 1881b (P.L. 100-570) (Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching)
1 The Vannevar Bush award is reviewed during a National Science Board meeting as an agenda item and is not considered a separate cost for these purposes. The Science and Society Award is reviewed via teleconferencing, and therefore does not incur any travel costs.
| File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
| File Title | NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION SCIENCE HONOR AWARDS |
| Author | Suzanne Plimpton |
| File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
| File Created | 2024-07-20 |