NSF Seeks Feedback on Measuring Better Government Customer Service
Published Date: 10/23/2026
Notice
Summary
The National Science Foundation is updating how it collects information to make government services easier and friendlier for everyone. This change affects agencies working to improve customer experience by tracking progress and boosting digital services. Comments on this plan are open for 30 days, and the goal is to match private companies’ top-notch service without extra costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Respondent Time Burden
Providing feedback will require respondent time: NSF estimates about 2,001,550 total annual responses, with each response lasting between 2 minutes and 60 minutes, for an aggregate of approximately 101,125 burden hours per year. Affected respondents include individuals and households, businesses and organizations, and state/local/tribal governments.
Large-Scale Customer Feedback Collection
You may be asked to provide feedback to help improve Federal services through surveys, focus groups, user testing, or interviews. NSF estimates about 2,001,550 annual responses across approximately five activity types, with each response taking about 2 to 60 minutes and totaling roughly 101,125 burden hours per year.
Limited Personal Data Collection
NSF states these collections will not create a new system of records containing privacy information and will not ask sensitive questions (for example, about sexual behavior or religious beliefs). Personally identifiable information (PII) will be collected only as necessary and will not be retained.
Survey Summaries Published Publicly
NSF may release all or part of the collected information or summaries on performance.gov with OMB agreement. Summaries of customer research and user testing activities may appear in public-facing customer journey maps or summaries to increase transparency and accountability of Federal programs.
Participation Is Voluntary and Targeted
NSF will only submit collections that are voluntary, low-burden, non-controversial, and targeted to people who have or will have experience with the program. The goal is to solicit opinions from relevant customers or stakeholders rather than the general public.
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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
The National Science Foundation (NSF) wants to keep collecting reports from groups funded by its Regional Innovation Engines program for another three years. This helps NSF track progress and improve the program. If you’re a grantee, you’ll keep sharing updates, and everyone has until December 21, 2026, to share thoughts on how to make reporting easier and better.
2026-21466, Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
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.
2026-20339, Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
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.
2026-20332, Proposal Review Committee Name Changes
The National Science Foundation is changing the names of eight of its proposal review committees to better match their new focus after a recent reorganization. These new names take effect on October 1, 2026, and affect researchers and businesses submitting proposals. No changes to funding or deadlines are mentioned, just clearer committee titles to help everyone know who’s reviewing what.
2026-20236, Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
The National Science Foundation is bringing back a form that helps them track reports of sexual harassment and assault in organizations they fund. They want your thoughts on how to make this process easier and clearer before they get official approval to keep it for up to three years. If you’re involved with NSF-funded groups, this affects you, and comments are due by December 1, 2026.
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.
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