The rest of the program funds should be used to conduct education, research, and public service activity in support of national program goals and priorities and in the context of state priorities. The focus of effort varies according to the resources and needs identified in the state. By law, no Space Grant funds may be used to purchase equipment. Following the establishment of the Designated Consortia or Phase I, NASA announced Phase II, which provided an opportunity for all states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, to participate in the program as Space Grant State Consortia. Program Grant states have the same mandate for education, research, and public service as the Designated states, but have approximately half the funding.
Differences are due to various augmentations.
The balance of the NASA funds should be used to conduct education, research, and public service activity in support of national program goals and priorities and in the context of state priorities. Focus of expenditures and effort varies according to the resources and needs identified in the state. By law, no Space Grant funds may be used to purchase equipment. The main purpose for a capability enhancement grant is to develop space-related research infrastructure in the state, and to provide funds for improvements in the quality of aerospace research and education. Like the Program Grant recipients, these consortia receive approximately half as much funding as a Designated state.