Title 51National and Commercial Space ProgramsRelease 119-73

§51103 Grant applications

Title 51 › Subtitle Subtitle V— - Programs Targeting Commercial Opportunities › Chapter CHAPTER 511— - SPACE TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE MATCHING GRANTS › § 51103

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

A sponsor may apply to the Secretary of Transportation for a project grant. The application must describe the project and include the forms and information the Secretary asks for. In choosing grants, the Secretary considers how the project helps U.S. government space transportation needs, how much industry and the State put in and take part, whether it boosts U.S. competitiveness, and how it affects activity at government launch ranges. The Secretary will consult the Secretary of Defense, the NASA Administrator, and other agencies about the government needs and launch‑range impacts. The Secretary can approve an application only if the project furthers the law’s goals; fits State‑approved local plans for the area; has agency consent if it uses government property; can be finished without unreasonable delay; the sponsor has legal authority to do the project; and any other Secretary requirements are met. If all else is equal, projects with larger industry financial contributions get preference.

Full Legal Text

Title 51, §51103

National and Commercial Space Programs — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)A sponsor may submit to the Secretary of Transportation an application for a project grant. The application must state the project to be undertaken and be in the form and contain the information the Secretary requires.
(b)(1)In selecting proposed projects for grants under this section, the Secretary of Transportation shall consider—
(A)the contribution of the project to industry capabilities that serve the United States Government’s space transportation needs;
(B)the extent of industry’s financial contribution to the project;
(C)the extent of industry’s participation in the project;
(D)the positive impact of the project on the international competitiveness of the United States space transportation industry;
(E)the extent of State contributions to the project; and
(F)the impact of the project on launch operations and other activities at Government launch ranges.
(2)The Secretary of Transportation shall consult with the Secretary of Defense, the Administrator of the National Space and Aeronautics Administration, and the heads of other appropriate agencies of the Government about paragraph (1)(A) and (F) of this subsection.
(c)The Secretary of Transportation may approve an application only if the Secretary is satisfied that—
(1)the project will contribute to the purposes of this chapter;
(2)the project is reasonably consistent with plans (existing at the time of approval of the project) of public agencies that are—
(A)authorized by the State in which the project is located; and
(B)responsible for the development of the area surrounding the project site;
(3)if the application proposes to use Government property, the specific consent of the head of the appropriate agency has been obtained;
(4)the project will be completed without unreasonable delay;
(5)the sponsor submitting the application has the legal authority to engage in the project; and
(6)any additional requirements prescribed by the Secretary have been met.
(d)The Secretary of Transportation shall give preference to applications for projects for which there will be greater industry financial contributions, all other factors being equal.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 70303(a)15:5804(d)(1).Nov. 4, 1992, Pub. L. 102–588, § 505(c), (d), 106 Stat. 5125. 70303(b)(1)15:5804(c)(1). 70303(b)(2)15:5804(c)(2). 70303(c)15:5804(d)(2). 70303(d)15:5804(c)(3). In subsection (a), the words “for one or more projects” are omitted as unnecessary because of the definition of “project” in section 70301 of the revised title. In subsection (c)(5), the words “as proposed” are omitted as surplus.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2010—Pub. L. 111–314 successively renumbered section 70303 of title 49 and section 70303 of this title as this section.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

51 U.S.C. § 51103

Title 51National and Commercial Space Programs

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73