Federal Register #2026-21461

NSF seeks comment on TIP evidence collection and Regional Innovation Engines reporting

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is seeking public comment on information collections supporting evidence and evaluation work and Regional Innovation Engines grantee reporting. - Government buyer: National Science Foundation (NSF), Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP); no specific office is identified. - OEMs and vendors: No manufacturers, OEMs, or commercial vendors are named. No products or hardware are being requested. - Information collections: - TIP Evidence and Evaluation Measurement Framework: supports evidence building, evaluation, and organizational learning across technology translation, workforce development, and regional innovation ecosystems. It anticipates 3,000 respondents annually, averaging one hour each, for 3,000 annual burden hours and 9,000 hours over three years. - NSF Regional Innovation Engines grantee reporting, OMB control number 3145-0284: Quarterly Reports; semiannual Engines Report Templates (ERTs); a Strategic and Implementation Plan (SIP); and a Strategic Growth Plan (SGP). The initial release describes quarterly reports submitted twice during the first year by 12 Engines, ERT submissions by 21 Engines, SIPs for 12 Engines, and SGPs for 21 Engines. - Reporting requirements and burden: ERT and Quarterly Reports are estimated at 10–20 hours per response. SIP and SGP burdens vary by award year, with estimates ranging from 5–100 hours per SIP response and 10–150 hours per SGP response. For a newly awarded Engine, estimated reporting totals are 80–160 hours in year one, 70–140 hours in year two, and 25–50 hours in year three, or 175–350 hours over three years. - Timing and purpose: The TIP generic clearance would cover three years. Engines may receive funding for up to 10 years; ERTs are submitted semiannually during the award, the SIP is developed in the first two years for project years three through five, and the SGP is developed beginning in year four and finalized in year five. NSF uses the information to monitor implementation and performance, assess progress and risks, support organizational learning, and inform program management and continued-funding decisions.

Description

The National Science Foundation is seeking public comment on renewal of the information collection for grantee reporting requirements under its Regional Innovation Engines (NSF Engines) Program. The collection includes quarterly reports, the Engines Report Template, a Strategic and Implementation Plan, and a Strategic Growth Plan, used to monitor implementation and performance, assess progress and risks, and support program management and funding decisions. Reporting requirements vary according to an Engine’s stage and award year; the notice estimates a three-year reporting burden of 175–350 hours for each newly awarded Engine. Comments are due December 21, 2026.

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