Any institution of higher education may be designated a Space Grant college if the Administrator or designee, Director, NASA Space Grant Program, determines that it has a balanced program of research, education, training, and advisory services in fields related to space, as further defined in the program announcement.

Any association or other alliance of two or more persons may be designated a Space Grant regional consortium, if the Administrator or designee, Director, National Space Grant Program, determines that such association or alliance:

Is established for the purpose of sharing expertise, research, educational or training facilities and other capabilities in order to facilitate research, education, training and advisory services, in any field related to space;

Will encourage and follow a regional approach to solving problems or meeting needs relating to space, in cooperation with other institutions of higher education, Space Grant program grantees and other persons in the region.

The opportunity to apply for designation shall be announced by the Director, NASA Space Grant Program. The application procedures and evaluation guidelines for designation shall be included in the designation announcement.

Designation will be decided by a competitive merit review of the program proposal measured against the purposes of the Act and including, but not limited to, proposed linkages with other colleges and universities (particularly institutions with significant enrollments of under-represented minority groups), public service and collaboration with space-related industry.