NSF Seeks Public Input on Yet Another Innovation Data Collection
Published Date: 10/20/2026
Notice
Summary
The National Science Foundation (NSF) is starting a new way to collect info about tech, jobs, and innovation programs to help them improve. They want your thoughts by December 21, 2026, before asking for official approval to keep this going for up to 3 years. This affects people involved in tech and innovation projects and aims to make data collection easier and smarter without extra costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
NSF TIP generic data collection for researchers
If you are a principal investigator (PI) or a researcher, NSF's Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) will establish a generic clearance to collect data about technology translation, workforce development, and regional innovation ecosystems. NSF expects about 3,000 PIs to respond each year, with an average burden of 1 hour per respondent (about 3,000 hours annually and 9,000 hours over a 3-year clearance period).
Possible longer participation for pilots and focus groups
Under the generic clearance, TIP may use testing and evaluation methods such as survey pretesting, pilot testing, and focus groups. Individual collections may vary in time: surveys typically take less time, while focus groups or pilots may require longer participation per person.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-21461, Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; Grantee Reporting Requirements for the U.S. National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) Program
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2026-20332, Proposal Review Committee Name Changes
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2026-20339, Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
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2026-18351, Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted the following request for revision of the approved collection of research and development data in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal Register and one comment was received. NSF is forwarding the proposed renewal submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with the publication of this second notice.
2026-17556, Notice of Intent To Reinstate Information Collection
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