---
kind: "section"
citation: "51 U.S.C. § 40306"
title: "51"
title_heading: "National and Commercial Space Programs"
number: "40306"
heading: "Space grant college and space grant regional consortium"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/51/40306"
units:
  - "Subtitle IV — Aeronautics and Space Research and Education"
  - "Chapter 403 — National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program"
---

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

- (a) **Designation and Qualifications.—**
  - (1) **Authority to designate.—** The [Administrator](/usc/51/10101.md?p=2) may designate—
    - (A) any institution of higher education as a [space grant college](/usc/51/40302.md?p=6); and
    - (B) any association or other alliance of 2 or more [persons](/usc/51/40302.md?p=4), other than individuals, as a [space grant regional consortium](/usc/51/40302.md?p=8).
  - (2) **Space grant college requirements.—** No institution of higher education may be designated as a [space grant college](/usc/51/40302.md?p=6) unless the [Administrator](/usc/51/10101.md?p=2) 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)](#b-2); and
    - (C) meets such other qualifications as the [Administrator](/usc/51/10101.md?p=2) considers necessary or appropriate.
  - (3) **Space grant regional consortium requirements.—** No association or other alliance of 2 or more [persons](/usc/51/40302.md?p=4) may be designated as a [space grant regional consortium](/usc/51/40302.md?p=8) unless the [Administrator](/usc/51/10101.md?p=2) 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](/usc/51/40302.md?p=2);
    - (B) will encourage and follow a regional approach to solving problems or meeting needs relating to space, in cooperation with appropriate [space grant colleges](/usc/51/40302.md?p=6), [space grant programs](/usc/51/40302.md?p=7), and other [persons](/usc/51/40302.md?p=4) in the region;
    - (C) will act in accordance with such guidelines as are prescribed under [subsection (b)(2)](#b-2); and
    - (D) meets such other qualifications as the [Administrator](/usc/51/10101.md?p=2) considers necessary or appropriate.
- (b) **Qualifications and Guidelines.—** The [Administrator](/usc/51/10101.md?p=2) shall by regulation prescribe—
  - (1) the qualifications required to be met under paragraphs [(2)(C)](#a-2-C) and [(3)(D)](#a-3-D) of subsection (a); and
  - (2) guidelines relating to the activities and responsibilities of [space grant colleges](/usc/51/40302.md?p=6) and space grant regional consortia.
- (c) **Suspension or Termination of Designation.—** The [Administrator](/usc/51/10101.md?p=2) may, for cause and after an opportunity for hearing, suspend or terminate any designation under [subsection (a)](#a).

## Source credit

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

## Notes

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