---
kind: "section"
citation: "51 U.S.C. § 40305"
title: "51"
title_heading: "National and Commercial Space Programs"
number: "40305"
heading: "Specific national needs"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/51/40305"
units:
  - "Subtitle IV — Aeronautics and Space Research and Education"
  - "Chapter 403 — National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program"
---

# §40305. Specific national needs

- (a) **Identification of Specific Needs and Grant-Making and Contracting Authority.—** The [Administrator](/usc/51/10101.md?p=2) shall identify specific national needs and problems relating to space. The [Administrator](/usc/51/10101.md?p=2) 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](/usc/51/40302.md?p=4) may apply to the [Administrator](/usc/51/10101.md?p=2) for a grant or contract under this section. In addition, the [Administrator](/usc/51/10101.md?p=2) may invite applications with respect to specific national needs or problems identified under [subsection (a)](#a). Application shall be made in such form and manner, and with such content and other submissions, as the [Administrator](/usc/51/10101.md?p=2) 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](/usc/51/40304.md?p=d) and to such other terms, conditions, and requirements as the [Administrator](/usc/51/10101.md?p=2) considers necessary or appropriate.

## Source credit

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

## Notes

| Historical and Revision Notes |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revised<br>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.