Justification for Non-Substantive Change

Justification for non-substantive change request for the General Information for NIST Foreign National Associates (FNAs) collection instrument

OMB Control #0693-0067

Expiration Date: 04/30/2024

NIST is requesting to add “Dates Attended” to the Affiliations section on page 2 of the General Information for NIST Foreign National Associates (FNAs) collection instrument. Below is the justification for this requested change:

The Joint Committee on the Research Environment (JCORE) was established in May 2019 through the National Science Technology Council to address four critical issues related to the research enterprise (https://science.house.gov/imo/media/doc/Droegemeier%20Testimony1.pdf): 

 

1. Strengthening the security of American research enterprise;

2. Creating safe and inclusive research environments;

3. Reducing administrative burdens on Federally-funded research; and

4. Improving rigor and integrity in research.

JCORE recommends that research organizations, like NIST establish policies and procedures to help protect the security and integrity of the S&T research enterprise.  Among the recommendations, the following address the collection of information from potential NIST foreign national researches:   

 

1. Establish high-level research security and integrity working groups and task forces to discuss, develop, implement, and review strategies to better coordinate and address concerns regarding protecting the security and integrity of its research enterprise. 

2. Establish and administer organizational policies regarding conflicts of interest, commitment and disclosure.

3. Require that employees and affiliates disclose to the organization all information necessary to identify and assess potential conflicts of interest and commitment. Including the following:

Organizational affiliations and employment, addresses and dates

Other support, contractual or otherwise, direct and indirect, including current and pending private and public sources of funding or income, both foreign and domestic. For researchers, other support should include all resources made available to a researcher in support of and/or related to all of their professional R&D efforts, including resources provided directly to the individual rather than through the research institution, and regardless of whether or not they have monetary value (e.g., even if the support received is only in-kind, such as office/laboratory space, equipment, supplies, or employees). This should include resource and/or financial support from all foreign and domestic entities, including but not limited to, gifts provided with terms or conditions, financial support for laboratory personnel, and participation of student and visiting researchers supported by other sources of funding.

Current or pending participation in, or applications to, programs sponsored by foreign governments, instrumentalities, or entities, including foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment programs. Organizations should require that individuals disclose associated contract(s), upon request of the institution, in addition to the fact of participation.

Positions and appointments. All positions and professional appointments both domestic and foreign that are relevant to the individual’s relationship to the research institution, including affiliations with foreign entities or governments. This includes titled academic, professional, or organizational appointments whether or not remuneration is received, and whether full-time, part-time, or voluntary (including adjunct, visiting, or honorary).

The goal of this effort is to ensure that scientists and students who follow laws, policies, regulations, and codes of conduct will be welcome and supported within a vibrant and secure enterprise that remains a desirable destination for researchers across the world.