NSF Seeks Feedback on Researcher Info Collection Plan
Published Date: 10/5/2026
Notice
Summary
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is asking for public feedback on a new information collection plan that affects researchers and organizations working with NSF. They want to make sure the questions they ask are useful and not too time-consuming. You have 30 days to share your thoughts before the plan gets final approval, and this process helps keep paperwork manageable and efficient.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Estimated Reporting Time Burden
NSF estimates the reporting burden at 185 hours per annual report for each of 22 MRSECs, totaling 4,070 hours per year. The respondents are non-profit institutions and each MRSEC is expected to submit one report per year under OMB control number 3145-0230.
Reports Used to Decide Funding Continuation
NSF will use the information in the annual and final reports to evaluate program progress and to continue funding of the Centers. The reporting requirements are included in the cooperative agreement between the academic institution and NSF.
Annual MRSEC Reporting Requirement
If you run a Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC), you must submit an annual report each year addressing seven categories: research, shared experimental facilities, education, knowledge transfer, partnerships, management, and budget issues. Reports must be submitted through the Research Performance Project Reporting (RPPR) module in Research.gov and to an external technical assistance contractor.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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