Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposals, Submissions, and Approvals: Borlaug Fellowship

Notice of Request for Approval of an Existing Collection for Borlaug Fellowship Program OMB Control Number 0551-0052

DATES:

Comments on this notice must be received by January 4, 2027 to be assured of consideration.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Borlaug Fellowship Program.

OMB Number: 0551-0052.

Expiration Date of Approval: Three years from approval date.

Type of Request: Existing collection in use without an OMB control number.

Abstract: The Borlaug International Agricultural Science and Technology Fellowship Program (Borlaug) was established in 2004. Borlaug promotes agricultural productivity, food security, trade, and economic growth by providing training and collaborative research opportunities to early and mid-career scientists, researchers, or policymakers from developing and middle-income countries. Since the program's inception, USDA has sponsored almost 1,000 Borlaug Fellows from 69 countries. Borlaug Programs help developing and middle-income countries by providing U.S. based scientific training and collaborative research opportunities to early- and mid-career scientists, researchers, and policymakers.

To achieve its objectives, Borlaug relies on the solicitation for qualified program applicants through a written application. FAS Posts across the globe provide this application to potential Fellows to assist in determining the adequacy of their candidacy alongside FAS Washington. The application is designed to capture the professional status of the applicant, the applicant's personal contact information, and the applicant's suitability for the program. Thus, the Borlaug application is an integral tool to Fellowship Programs Division and FAS' strategic goals at large.

In summary, excluding discrete questions related to program objectives, the Borlaug application collects the following personal information (that may be considered Personal Identifiable Information (PII)): first name, middle name, last name, sex, salutation, birth date, birth city, citizenship country, country of residence, work phone, permanent home address, work address, personal email, work email, emergency contact information (US implementer), and emergency contact information (family contact: name, relationship, home phone, cell phone, and email).

Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for each respondent resulting from information collection under Borlaug varies in direct relation to the number of fellowships that each respondent participates in.

Type of Respondents: Individuals.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 145 per annum.

Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 1 per annum.

Estimated Total Annual Burden of Respondents: 218 hours per annum.

Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Kenneth Vernon, the Agency Information Collection Coordinator, at [email protected].

Request for Comments: Send comments regarding (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the collection of information including validity of the methodology and assumption used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

All comments received in response to this notice, including names and addresses when provided, will be a matter of public record. Comments will be available without change, including any personal information provided, for inspection online at http://www.regulations.gov and at the mail address listed above between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.

Comments will be summarized and included in the submission for Office of Management and Budget approval.

Persons with disabilities who require an alternative means for communication of information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact [email protected].