Mar 10 -- The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES), National Science Foundation (NSF), invites comments by May 9, 2023 regarding the three-year extension of the Survey of Science and Engineering Research Facilities.
The Survey of Science and Engineering Research Facilities is a Congressionally mandated (Pub. L. 99-159), biennial census that has been conducted since 1986. The survey collects data on the amount, condition, costs, and funding of the physical facilities used to conduct science and engineering research at U.S. academic institutions. Congress expected that this survey would provide the data necessary to describe the status and needs of science and engineering research facilities and would help formulate appropriate solutions to documented needs. During the FY 2019 and FY 2021 survey cycles, data were collected from a population of approximately 585 research-performing universities. Data are collected through a Web-based interface, although institutions have the option of printing and completing a PDF that can be sent by mail.
The proposed project will continue the biennial survey for two cycles: FY 2023 and FY 2025. The Survey of Science and Engineering Research Facilities will provide continuity of statistics on the status of scientific and engineering research facilities and capabilities. Statistics on the square footage of research and development (R&D) space available, the condition of R&D space, and the costs for new construction, repairs, and renovation of R&D space at higher education institutions by science and engineering R&D field are produced from the survey. The sources of funding for new construction and repair and renovation projects are also published. The information can be used by Federal policy makers, planners, and budget analysts in making policy decisions, as well as by institutional academic officials, the scientific/engineering establishment, and state agencies and legislatures that fund universities.
Expected Respondents: The Facilities Survey is a census of institutions that performed at least $1 million in separately accounted for science and engineering research and development in the previous fiscal year. In the most recent FY 2021 Facilities Survey, a census of 584 academic institutions was conducted. The sampling frame used for the survey was the FY 2020 Higher Education Research and Development Survey conducted by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics.
The Facilities Survey will be sent to approximately 600 academic institutions for both the FY 2023 and FY 2025 data collection cycles. Response to this voluntary survey is typically 97 percent each cycle.
Survey of Science & Engineering Research Facilities:
https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/srvyfacilities/
FY2023 survey instrument:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/knc31bc4evn6lce/FY%202023%20Facilities_Survey_Questionnaire%20draft.pdf?dl=0
NCSES writes "We don’t have any changes planned for the Survey of Science and Engineering Research Facilities for FY 2023. We’re still reviewing potential minor wording edits to the questionnaire guidance, but that’s the extent of any potential updates."
FRN:
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2023-04881