---
kind: "section"
citation: "51 U.S.C. § 40111"
title: "51"
title_heading: "National and Commercial Space Programs"
number: "40111"
heading: "Fundamental research program"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/51/40111"
units:
  - "Subtitle IV — Aeronautics and Space Research and Education"
  - "Chapter 401 — Aeronautics"
  - "Subchapter II — High Priority Aeronautics Research and Development Programs"
---

# §40111. Fundamental research program

- (a) **Objective.—** In order to ensure that the Nation maintains needed capabilities in fundamental areas of aeronautics research, the [Administrator](/usc/51/10101.md?p=2) shall establish a program of long-term fundamental research in aeronautical sciences and technologies that is not tied to specific development projects.
- (b) **Operation.—** The [Administrator](/usc/51/10101.md?p=2) shall conduct the program under this section, in part by awarding grants to institutions of higher education. The [Administrator](/usc/51/10101.md?p=2) shall encourage the participation of institutions of higher education located in [States](/usc/51/40302.md?p=10) that participate in the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research. All grants to institutions of higher education under this section shall be awarded through merit review.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 111–314, § 3, Dec. 18, 2010, 124 Stat. 3379.)

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
| 40111 | 42 U.S.C. 16721(a), (b). | Pub. L. 109–155, title IV, § 421(a), (b), Dec. 30, 2005, 119 Stat. 2924. |