51 U.S.C.
United States Code, 2022 Edition
Title 51 - NATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL SPACE PROGRAMS
Subtitle IV - Aeronautics and Space Research and Education
CHAPTER 403 - NATIONAL SPACE GRANT COLLEGE AND FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov

### CHAPTER 403—NATIONAL SPACE GRANT COLLEGE AND FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

Sec.
40301.
Purposes.
40302.
Definitions.
40303.
National space grant college and fellowship program.
40304.
Grants or contracts.
40305.
Specific national needs.
40306.
Space grant college and space grant regional consortium.
40307.
Space grant fellowship program.
40308.
Space grant review panel.
40309.
Availability of other Federal personnel and data.
40310.
Designation or award to be on competitive basis.
40311.
Continuing emphasis.

### §40301. Purposes

The purposes of this chapter are to—

(1) increase the understanding, assessment, development, and utilization of space resources by promoting a strong educational base, responsive research and training activities, and broad and prompt dissemination of knowledge and techniques;

(2) utilize the abilities and talents of the universities of the Nation to support and contribute to the exploration and development of the resources and opportunities afforded by the space environment;

(3) encourage and support, within the university community of the Nation, the existence of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary programs of space research that—

(A) engage in integrated activities of training, research, and public service;

(B) have cooperative programs with industry; and

(C) are coordinated with the overall program of the Administration;

(4) encourage and support the existence of consortia, made up of university and industry members, in order to advance the exploration and development of space resources in cases in which national objectives can be better fulfilled through such consortia than through the programs of single universities;

(5) encourage and support Federal funding for graduate fellowships in fields related to space; and

(6) support activities in colleges and universities generally for the purpose of creating and operating a network of institutional programs that will enhance achievements resulting from efforts under this chapter.

(Pub. L. 111–314, §3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3382.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large)
--- | --- | ---
40301 | 42 U.S.C. 2486a. | Pub. L. 100–147, title II, §203, Oct. 30, 1987, 101 Stat. 869.

In paragraph (3), the word "that" is substituted for ", to" for clarity.

In paragraph (4), the words "in order to" are substituted for "to", and the words "through such consortia" are added, for clarity.

#### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

#### Congressional Statement of Findings

Pub. L. 100–147, title II, §202, Oct. 30, 1987, 101 Stat. 869, provided that: "The Congress finds that—

"(1) the vitality of the Nation and the quality of life of the citizens of the Nation depend increasingly on the understanding, assessment, development, and utilization of space resources;

"(2) research and development of space science, space technology, and space commercialization will contribute to the quality of life, national security, and the enhancement of commerce;

"(3) the understanding and development of the space frontiers require a broad commitment and an intense involvement on the part of the Federal Government in partnership with State and local governments, private industry, universities, organizations, and individuals concerned with the exploration and utilization of space;

"(4) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, through the national space grant college and fellowship program, offers the most suitable means for such commitment and involvement through the promotion of activities that will result in greater understanding, assessment, development, and utilization; and

"(5) Federal support of the establishment, development, and operation of programs and projects by space grant colleges, space grant regional consortia, institutions of higher education, institutes, laboratories, and other appropriate public and private entities is the most cost-effective way to promote such activities."

[For definition of terms used in section 202 of Pub. L. 100–147, set out above, see section 204 of Pub. L. 100–147, title II, Oct. 30, 1987, 101 Stat. 870, which was classified to former section 2486b of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, and was repealed and reenacted as section 40302 of this title by Pub. L. 111–314, §§3, 6, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3328, 3444.]

### §40302. Definitions

In this chapter:

(1) Aeronautical and space activities.—The term "aeronautical and space activities" has the meaning given the term in section 20103 of this title.

(2) Field related to space.—The term "field related to space" means any academic discipline or field of study (including the physical, natural, and biological sciences, and engineering, space technology, education, economics, sociology, communications, planning, law, international affairs, and public administration) which is concerned with or likely to improve the understanding, assessment, development, and utilization of space.

(3) Panel.—The term "panel" means the space grant review panel established pursuant to section 40308 of this title.

(4) Person.—The term "person" means any individual, any public or private corporation, partnership, or other association or entity (including any space grant college, space grant regional consortium, institution of higher education, institute, or laboratory), or any State, political subdivision of a State, or agency or officer of a State or political subdivision of a State.

(5) Space environment.—The term "space environment" means the environment beyond the sensible atmosphere of the Earth.

(6) Space grant college.—The term "space grant college" means any public or private institution of higher education which is designated as such by the Administrator pursuant to section 40306 of this title.

(7) Space grant program.—The term "space grant program" means any program that—

(A) is administered by any space grant college, space grant regional consortium, institution of higher education, institute, laboratory, or State or local agency; and

(B) includes 2 or more projects involving education and one or more of the following activities in the fields related to space:

(i) Research.

(ii) Training.

(iii) Advisory services.

(8) Space grant regional consortium.—The term "space grant regional consortium" means any association or other alliance that is designated as a space grant regional consortium by the Administrator pursuant to section 40306 of this title.

(9) Space resource.—The term "space resource" means any tangible or intangible benefit which can be realized only from—

(A) aeronautical and space activities; or

(B) advancements in any field related to space.

(10) State.—The term "State" means any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, or any other territory or possession of the United States.

(Pub. L. 111–314, §3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3383.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large)
--- | --- | ---
40302 | 42 U.S.C. 2486b. | Pub. L. 100–147, title II, §204, Oct. 30, 1987, 101 Stat. 870.

The definitions of "Administration" and "Administrator" in section 204 of the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Act (Public Law 100–147, title II, 101 Stat. 870) are omitted as unnecessary because of the definitions added by section 10101 of title 51.

### §40303. National space grant college and fellowship program

(a) Establishment.—The Administrator shall establish and maintain, within the Administration, a program to be known as the national space grant college and fellowship program. The national space grant college and fellowship program shall consist of the financial assistance and other activities provided for in this chapter. The Administrator shall establish long-range planning guidelines and priorities, and adequately evaluate the program.

(b) Functions.—Within the Administration, the program shall—

(1) apply the long-range planning guidelines and the priorities established by the Administrator under subsection (a);

(2) advise the Administrator with respect to the expertise and capabilities which are available through the national space grant college and fellowship program, and make such expertise available to the Administration as directed by the Administrator;

(3) evaluate activities conducted under grants and contracts awarded pursuant to sections 40304 and 40305 of this title to ensure that the purposes set forth in section 40301 of this title are implemented;

(4) encourage other Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities to use and take advantage of the expertise and capabilities which are available through the national space grant college and fellowship program, on a cooperative or other basis;

(5) encourage cooperation and coordination with other Federal programs concerned with the development of space resources and fields related to space;

(6) advise the Administrator on the designation of recipients supported by the national space grant college and fellowship program and, in appropriate cases, on the termination or suspension of any such designation; and

(7) encourage the formation and growth of space grant and fellowship programs.

(c) General Authorities.—To carry out the provisions of this chapter, the Administrator may—

(1) accept conditional or unconditional gifts or donations of services, money, or property, real, personal or mixed, tangible or intangible;

(2) accept and use funds from other Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities to pay for fellowships, grants, contracts, and other transactions; and

(3) issue such rules and regulations as may be necessary and appropriate.

(d) Program Administration Costs.—In carrying out the provisions of this chapter, the Administrator—

(1) shall maximize appropriated funds for grants and contracts made under section 40304 in each fiscal year; and

(2) in each fiscal year, the Administrator shall limit its program administration costs to no more than 5 percent of funds appropriated for this program for that fiscal year.

(e) Reports.—For any fiscal year in which the Administrator cannot meet the administration cost target under subsection (d)(2), if the Administration is unable to limit program costs under subsection (b), the Administrator shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report, including—

(1) a description of why the Administrator did not meet the cost target under subsection (d); and

(2) the measures the Administrator will take in the next fiscal year to meet the cost target under subsection (d) without drawing upon other Federal funding.

(Pub. L. 111–314, §3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3383; Pub. L. 114–329, title III, §302(b), Jan. 6, 2017, 130 Stat. 3003.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large)
--- | --- | ---
40303 | 42 U.S.C. 2486c. | Pub. L. 100–147, title II, §205, Oct. 30, 1987, 101 Stat. 871.

#### Editorial Notes

#### Amendments

2017—Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 114–329 added subsecs. (d) and (e).

### §40304. Grants or contracts

(a) Authority of Administrator.—The Administrator may make grants and enter into contracts or other transactions under this subsection to assist any space grant and fellowship program or project if the Administrator finds that the program or project will carry out the purposes set forth in section 40301 of this title. The total amount paid pursuant to a grant or contract may equal not more than 66 percent of the total cost of the space grant and fellowship program or project involved, except in the case of grants or contracts paid for with funds accepted by the Administrator pursuant to section 40303(c)(2) of this title.

(b) Special Grants.—The Administrator may make special grants under this subsection to carry out the purposes set forth in section 40301 of this title. The amount of a special grant may equal up to 100 percent of the total cost of the project involved. A special grant may be made under this subsection only if the Administrator finds that—

(1) no reasonable means is available through which the applicant can meet the matching requirement for a grant under subsection (a);

(2) the probable benefit of the project outweighs the public interest in the matching requirement; and

(3) the same or equivalent benefit cannot be obtained through the award of a contract or grant under subsection (a) or section 40305 of this title.

(c) Application.—Any person may apply to the Administrator for a grant or contract under this section. Application shall be made in such form and manner, and with such content and other submissions, as the Administrator shall by regulation prescribe.

(d) Terms and Conditions.—

(1) In general.—Any grant made, or contract entered into, under this section shall be subject to the limitations and provisions set forth in paragraphs (2) and (3) and to such other terms, conditions, and requirements as the Administrator considers necessary or appropriate.

(2) Limitations.—No payment under any grant or contract under this section may be applied to—

(A) the purchase of any land;

(B) the purchase, construction, preservation, or repair of any building; or

(C) the purchase or construction of any launch facility or launch vehicle.

(3) Leases.—Notwithstanding paragraph (2), the items in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of such paragraph may be leased upon written approval of the Administrator.

(4) Records.—Any person that receives or utilizes any proceeds of any grant or contract under this section shall keep such records as the Administrator shall by regulation prescribe as being necessary and appropriate to facilitate effective audit and evaluation, including records which fully disclose the amount and disposition by such recipient of such proceeds, the total cost of the program or project in connection with which such proceeds were used, and the amount, if any, of such cost which was provided through other sources. Such records shall be maintained for 3 years after the completion of such a program or project. The Administrator and the Comptroller General of the United States, or any of their duly authorized representatives, shall have access, for the purpose of audit and evaluation, to any books, documents, papers, and records of receipts which, in the opinion of the Administrator or the Comptroller General, may be related or pertinent to such grants and contracts.

(Pub. L. 111–314, §3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3384.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large)
--- | --- | ---
40304 | 42 U.S.C. 2486d. | Pub. L. 100–147, title II, §206, Oct. 30, 1987, 101 Stat. 872.

In subsection (a), the words "not more than 66 percent" are substituted for "66 percent, or any lesser percent", and the word "except" is substituted for "except that this limitation shall not apply", for clarity and to eliminate unnecessary words.

In subsection (b), the words "up to 100 percent" are substituted for "100 percent, or any lesser percent" to eliminate unnecessary words.

### §40305. Specific national needs

(a) Identification of Specific Needs and Grant-Making and Contracting Authority.—The Administrator shall identify specific national needs and problems relating to space. The Administrator may make grants or enter into contracts under this section with respect to such needs or problems. The amount of any such grant or contract may equal up to 100 percent of the total cost of the project involved.

(b) Applications for Grants or Contracts.—Any person may apply to the Administrator for a grant or contract under this section. In addition, the Administrator may invite applications with respect to specific national needs or problems identified under subsection (a). Application shall be made in such form and manner, and with such content and other submissions, as the Administrator shall by regulation prescribe. Any grant made, or contract entered into, under this section shall be subject to the limitations and provisions set forth in paragraphs (2) and (4) of section 40304(d) of this title and to such other terms, conditions, and requirements as the Administrator considers necessary or appropriate.

(Pub. L. 111–314, §3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3385.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large)
--- | --- | ---
40305 | 42 U.S.C. 2486e. | Pub. L. 100–147, title II, §207, Oct. 30, 1987, 101 Stat. 873.

In subsection (a), the words "up to 100 percent" are substituted for "100 percent, or any lesser percent" to eliminate unnecessary words.

### §40306. Space grant college and space grant regional consortium

(a) Designation and Qualifications.—

(1) Authority to designate.—The Administrator may designate—

(A) any institution of higher education as a space grant college; and

(B) any association or other alliance of 2 or more persons, other than individuals, as a space grant regional consortium.

(2) Space grant college requirements.—No institution of higher education may be designated as a space grant college unless the Administrator finds that such institution—

(A) is maintaining a balanced program of research, education, training, and advisory services in fields related to space;

(B) will act in accordance with such guidelines as are prescribed under subsection (b)(2); and

(C) meets such other qualifications as the Administrator considers necessary or appropriate.

(3) Space grant regional consortium requirements.—No association or other alliance of 2 or more persons may be designated as a space grant regional consortium unless the Administrator finds that such association or alliance—

(A) is established for the purpose of sharing expertise, research, educational facilities or training facilities, and other capabilities in order to facilitate research, education, training, and advisory services in any field related to space;

(B) will encourage and follow a regional approach to solving problems or meeting needs relating to space, in cooperation with appropriate space grant colleges, space grant programs, and other persons in the region;

(C) will act in accordance with such guidelines as are prescribed under subsection (b)(2); and

(D) meets such other qualifications as the Administrator considers necessary or appropriate.

(b) Qualifications and Guidelines.—The Administrator shall by regulation prescribe—

(1) the qualifications required to be met under paragraphs (2)(C) and (3)(D) of subsection (a); and

(2) guidelines relating to the activities and responsibilities of space grant colleges and space grant regional consortia.

(c) Suspension or Termination of Designation.—The Administrator may, for cause and after an opportunity for hearing, suspend or terminate any designation under subsection (a).

(Pub. L. 111–314, §3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3386.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large)
--- | --- | ---
40306 | 42 U.S.C. 2486f. | Pub. L. 100–147, title II, §208, Oct. 30, 1987, 101 Stat. 873.

### §40307. Space grant fellowship program

(a) Award of Fellowships.—The Administrator shall support a space grant fellowship program to provide educational and training assistance to qualified individuals at the graduate level of education in fields related to space. Such fellowships shall be awarded pursuant to guidelines established by the Administrator. Space grant fellowships shall be awarded to individuals at space grant colleges, space grant regional consortia, other colleges and institutions of higher education, professional associations, and institutes in such a manner as to ensure wide geographic and institutional diversity in the pursuit of research under the fellowship program.

(b) Limitation on Amount Provided.—The total amount which may be provided for grants under the space grant fellowship program during any fiscal year shall not exceed an amount equal to 50 percent of the total funds appropriated for such year pursuant to this chapter.

(c) Authority To Sponsor Other Research Fellowship Programs Unaffected.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the Administrator from sponsoring any research fellowship program, including any special emphasis program, which is established under an authority other than this chapter.

(Pub. L. 111–314, §3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3387.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large)
--- | --- | ---
40307 | 42 U.S.C. 2486g. | Pub. L. 100–147, title II, §209, Oct. 30, 1987, 101 Stat. 874.

### §40308. Space grant review panel

(a) Establishment.—The Administrator shall establish an independent committee known as the space grant review panel, which shall not be subject to the provisions of chapter 10 of title 5.

(b) Duties.—The panel shall take such steps as may be necessary to review, and shall advise the Administrator with respect to—

(1) applications or proposals for, and performance under, grants and contracts awarded pursuant to sections 40304 and 40305 of this title;

(2) the space grant fellowship program;

(3) the designation and operation of space grant colleges and space grant regional consortia, and the operation of space grant and fellowship programs;

(4) the formulation and application of the planning guidelines and priorities pursuant to subsections (a) and (b)(1) of section 40303 of this title; and

(5) such other matters as the Administrator refers to the panel for review and advice.

(c) Personnel and Administrative Services.—The Administrator shall make available to the panel any information, personnel, and administrative services and assistance which is reasonable to carry out the duties of the panel.

(d) Members.—

(1) Appointment.—The Administrator shall appoint the voting members of the panel. A majority of the voting members shall be individuals who, by reason of knowledge, experience, or training, are especially qualified in one or more of the disciplines and fields related to space. The other voting members shall be individuals who, by reason of knowledge, experience, or training, are especially qualified in, or representative of, education, extension services, State government, industry, economics, planning, or any other activity related to efforts to enhance the understanding, assessment, development, or utilization of space resources. The Administrator shall consider the potential conflict of interest of any individual in making appointments to the panel.

(2) Chairman and vice chairman.—The Administrator shall select one voting member to serve as the Chairman and another voting member to serve as the Vice Chairman. The Vice Chairman shall act as Chairman in the absence or incapacity of the Chairman.

(3) Reimbursement for expenses.—Voting members of the panel who are not Federal employees shall be reimbursed for actual and reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of such duties.

(4) Meetings.—The panel shall meet on a biannual basis and, at any other time, at the call of the Chairman or upon the request of a majority of the voting members or of the Administrator.

(5) Powers.—The panel may exercise such powers as are reasonably necessary in order to carry out the duties enumerated in subsection (b).

(Pub. L. 111–314, §3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3387; Pub. L. 117–286, §4(a)(325), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4341.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large)
--- | --- | ---
40308 | 42 U.S.C. 2486h. | Pub. L. 100–147, title II, §210, Oct. 30, 1987, 101 Stat. 874.

In subsection (a), the word "provisions" is substituted for "provisons" to correct an error in the law.

#### Editorial Notes

#### Amendments

2022—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 117–286 substituted "chapter 10 of title 5." for "the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 App. U.S.C.)."

### §40309. Availability of other Federal personnel and data

Each department, agency, or other instrumentality of the Federal Government that is engaged in or concerned with, or that has authority over, matters relating to space—

(1) may, upon a written request from the Administrator, make available, on a reimbursable basis or otherwise, any personnel (with their consent and without prejudice to their position and rating), service, or facility which the Administrator considers necessary to carry out any provision of this chapter;

(2) may, upon a written request from the Administrator, furnish any available data or other information which the Administrator considers necessary to carry out any provision of this chapter; and

(3) may cooperate with the Administration.

(Pub. L. 111–314, §3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3388.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large)
--- | --- | ---
40309 | 42 U.S.C. 2486i. | Pub. L. 100–147, title II, §211, Oct. 30, 1987, 101 Stat. 875.

### §40310. Designation or award to be on competitive basis

The Administrator shall not under this chapter designate any space grant college or space grant regional consortium or award any fellowship, grant, or contract unless such designation or award is made in accordance with the competitive, merit-based review process employed by the Administration on October 30, 1987.

(Pub. L. 111–314, §3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3388.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large)
--- | --- | ---
40310 | 42 U.S.C. 2486k. | Pub. L. 100–147, title II, §213, Oct. 30, 1987, 101 Stat. 875.

The date "October 30, 1987" is substituted for "the date of enactment of this Act" to reflect the date of enactment of the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Act, which is title II of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 1988 (Public Law 100–147, 101 Stat. 860).

### §40311. Continuing emphasis

The Administration shall continue its emphasis on the importance of education to expand opportunities for Americans to understand and participate in the Administration's aeronautics and space projects by supporting and enhancing science and engineering education, research, and public outreach efforts.

(Pub. L. 111–314, §3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3388.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large)
--- | --- | ---
40311 | 42 U.S.C. 17781(c). | Pub. L. 110–422, title VII, §704(c), Oct. 15, 2008, 122 Stat. 4803.