0693.0042.SuppStmt.REVISED.102309

SUPPORTING STATEMENT
U.S. Department of Commerce
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program
Student Applicant Information
OMB CONTROL NO. 0693-0042

A.

JUSTIFICATION

This is a request to extend the Office of Management and Budget approval for this
information collection.

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary.
The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program provides an opportunity for
the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) laboratories and the National Science
Foundation (NSF) to join in a partnership to encourage outstanding undergraduate students to
pursue careers in science and engineering. The program provides research opportunities for
students to work with internationally known NIST scientists, to expose them to cutting-edge
research and promote the pursuit of graduate degrees in science and engineering. The authority
for the SURF Program is 15 U.S.C. 278g-1, which authorizes NIST to fund financial assistance
awards to students at institutions of higher learning within the United States.
The purpose of this instrument is to collect the information items detailed in the Proposal Review
Process and Evaluation Criteria sections of the Federal Register Notice (published January 25,
2008, Vol. 73, No. 17, page 4535, copy in ROCIS). The information will be provided by student
applicants. The information will be used to determine eligible students, select students for the
program using the Evaluation Criteria described in the Federal Register Notice, and place
selected students in appropriate research projects that match their needs, interests, and academic
preparation. The information includes: student’s name, host institution, e-mail address/contact
information, home address, class standing, first- and second-choice of NIST laboratories they
wish to apply to, academic major (minor), current overall grade point average (GPA), need for
housing and gender (for housing purposes only), availability dates, resume, personal statement of
commitment and research interests, two letters of recommendation, academic transcripts,
verification of U.S. citizenship or permanent legal residency, and verification of health coverage.

1

2. Explain how, by whom, how frequently, and for what purpose the information will be
used. If the information collected will be disseminated to the public or used to support
information that will be disseminated to the public, then explain how the collection
complies with all applicable Information Quality Guidelines.
The information will be used by the central administrative coordinator to determine complete
applications, and by the SURF Program Directors and technical reviewers to determine student
eligibility, and to evaluate and select students for the program. The Proposal Review Process
and the Evaluation Criteria are given in detail in the Federal Register Notice for the SURF
Program (copy in ROCIS) .
student’s name, host institution, e-mail address, home address – Identifying and contact
information is needed for such reasons as notification of incomplete packages, initiation of
contact with the research advisor, and arrangement of travel.
class standing, academic major (minor) – This information is needed to place students in
appropriate research projects that match their needs, interests, and academic preparation.
current overall GPA –This is needed to determine student eligibility and is also an
Evaluation Criterion.
first- and second-choice NIST laboratories they wish to apply to – The information is
needed to place students in appropriate research projects that match their prioritized
research interests.
need for housing and gender – This information is required for housing purposes, since
students must share bedrooms.
availability dates – This is needed to place students in appropriate research projects, and to
determine if adjustments can be made to accommodate specific academic schedules.
resume, personal statement of commitment and research interests – These are Student
Information Items listed under the Proposal Review Process in the Federal Register Notice
for the SURF; they provide Evaluation Criteria and are also needed to place students in
appropriate research projects that match their interests.
two letters of recommendation, academic transcripts – These are Student Information
Items listed under the Proposal Review Process in the Federal Register Notice for the
SURF. They are needed to evaluate skills and academic preparation and to place selected
students in appropriate research projects that match their needs.

2

verification of U.S. citizenship or permanent legal residency – These are Student
Information Items listed under the Proposal Review Process in the Federal Register Notice
for the SURF, and are needed to determine student eligibility for the program.
This collected information will not be disseminated to the public.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological techniques or other forms of
information technology.
In addition to hard-copy submission, electronic submission is available via the Internet using the
grants.gov system (http://grants.gov/)

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication.
The information needed is itemized and described in the Proposal Review Process and
Evaluation Criteria sections of the Federal Register Notice for the SURF Program. This
information is not included in the Application Institution’s proposal and therefore is not
duplicated anywhere.

5. If the collection of information involves small businesses or other small entities, describe
the methods used to minimize burden.
This collection of information does not involve small businesses.

6. Describe the consequences to the Federal program or policy activities if the collection is
not conducted or is conducted less frequently.
The SURF Program cannot be conducted without the collected information because it assist
NIST to evaluate, select, and place students in appropriate research projects that match their
needs, interests, and academic preparation.

7. Explain any special circumstances that require the collection to be conducted in a
manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.
The collection will be conducted consistent with OMB guidelines.

3

8. Provide information for the PRA Federal Register Notice that solicited public comments
on the information collection prior to this submission. Summarize the public comments
received in response to that notice and describe the actions taken by the agency in response
to those comments. Describe the efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to
obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of
instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data
elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.
A Federal Register Notice soliciting public comment was published on Thursday, April 23, 2009.
No comments were received.

9. Explain any decisions to provide payments or gifts to respondents, other than
remuneration of contractors or grantees.
No payments or gifts are given to respondents.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for
assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.
No assurance of confidentiality is given.

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual
behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered
private.
No questions of a sensitive nature are asked.

12. Provide an estimate in hours of the burden of the collection of information.
Approximately 200 undergraduate students apply to the SURF Program annually.
The application requires approximately 2 hours to complete. The total estimated burden
hours = 400.

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual cost burden to the respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection (excluding the value of the burden hours in
Question 12).
This application does not add a cost burden to respondents.
4

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government.
The annual cost burden to the Federal government is minimal. It is estimated to be $150 for
review and analysis of the applicant form.

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments.
Not Applicable.

16. For collections whose results will be published, outline the plans for tabulation and
publication.
The results of this collection will not be published.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the
information collection, explain the reasons why display would be inappropriate.
Not Applicable.

18. Explain each exception to the certification statement.
There are no exceptions.

B. COLLECTIONS OF INFORMATION EMPLOYING STATISTICAL METHODS
This collection does not employ statistical methods.

5