---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 296d"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "296d"
heading: "Preference"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/296d"
units:
  - "Chapter 6A — Public Health Service"
  - "Subchapter VI — Nursing Workforce Development"
  - "Part A — General Provisions"
---

# §296d. Preference


In awarding grants or contracts under this subchapter, the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall give preference to applicants with [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) that will substantially benefit rural or underserved populations, or help meet public health nursing needs in [State](/usc/42/296.md?p=8) or local health departments.


## Source credit

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VIII, § 805, as added Pub. L. 105–392, title I, § 123(4), Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3565.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 296d, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VIII, § 805, formerly § 809, as added Nov. 18, 1971, Pub. L. 92–158, § 2(c), 85 Stat. 465; renumbered § 805 and amended July 29, 1975, Pub. L. 94–63, title IX, §§ 902(d), 910(b)(1)(A), (B)(i), (2), (c), 911(b), 941(d), 89 Stat. 355, 356, 364; Sept. 29, 1979, Pub. L. 96–76, title I, § 103, 93 Stat. 579, related to applications, amounts, etc., for loan guarantees and interest subsidies for construction of training facilities by nonprofit nursing schools, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 99–92, §§ 9(a)(1), 10(a), Aug. 16, 1985, 99 Stat. 400, 402, effective Oct. 1, 1985.

Another prior section 296d, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VIII, § 805, as added Sept. 4, 1964, Pub. L. 88–581, § 2, 78 Stat. 912; amended Aug. 16, 1968, Pub. L. 90–490, title II, §§ 211, 215, 82 Stat. 780, 783; Nov. 18, 1971, Pub. L. 92–158, § 3(b), 85 Stat. 469, relating to special project grants and contracts for nurse training programs, was repealed by Pub. L. 94–63, title IX, § 922, July 29, 1975, 89 Stat. 359, eff. July 1, 1975.