Grantee Reporting Requirements for Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSECs)

Forms and Documents

Forms and supporting documents for this ICR

Document	Type	Status	Availability
FINAL RPPR PRA Instructions.pdf	Supplementary Document	Uploaded 2013-12-05	Available
OMB MRSEC Supporting Statement 2026 Guidelines September 2026 Final.docx	Supporting Statement A	Uploaded 2026-10-06	Available

IC Document Collections

Information collection document groups

IC ID	Collection	Type	Status	Form
208763	Guidelines for MRSEC Annual Progress Reports and Continuation Request	Other-Reporting Requirements	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 3145-0230	ICR Reference No: 202610-3145-001
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202209-3145-001
Agency/Subagency: NSF	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Grantee Reporting Requirements for Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSECs)
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 10/06/2026

table that charts list comparision

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	12/31/2026
Responses	22	20
Time Burden (Hours)	4,070	3,700
Cost Burden (Dollars)	211,640	192,400

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Abstract: The NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) program provides significant support ($3 – $4 million / year) for research, education, and infrastructure through cooperative agreements with a term of 6 years. Because of the duration and size of these awards, it is necessary for NSF to ensure that its substantial investment is spent appropriately, that each of the centers meets the goals stated in its strategic plan, and that each center’s activities satisfy the goals and objectives of the MRSEC program. The MRSEC program currently funds a total of 22 Centers. For effective oversight of these substantial investments, the NSF requires that each currently funded Center submit an annual progress report that describes all activities of the Center; these reports begin in the first year of operation. Each Center is expected to submit a final report at the end of the award. Data contained in these reports are also submitted to a website managed by a contractor for NSF. Electronic submission facilitates program-wide data analysis.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 42 USC 1861 et seq. Name of Law: National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	91 FR 11343	03/09/2026
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	91 FR 63310	10/05/2026
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

table that charts list of burden

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Guidelines for MRSEC Annual Progress Reports and Continuation Request

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ICR Summary of Burden

table that charts list of burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	22	20	0	2	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	4,070	3,700	0	370	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	211,640	192,400	0	19,240	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: The increase is due to the increase in the number of Centers, not burden time.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $83,600

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

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Common Form ICR:  No

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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:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(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;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

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.

Certification Date: 10/06/2026

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