Research Advancing to Market Production for Innovators Act

This bill aims to help small businesses turn their federally funded research into real products and services faster. It tells agencies to weigh “likelihood of commercialization” when picking projects and to include at least one reviewer with business experience in SBIR/STTR peer review. It also shortens a key waiting period from one year to 180 days in both programs, speeding decisions and next steps . Each agency must name a Technology Commercialization Official to guide awardees, scout markets, and report on progress and application streamlining . Agencies can pilot more flexible funding approaches during 2025–2027 within limits (generally up to 10% of SBIR/STTR funds; NIH up to 15%) .

Awardees get more freedom to pick the technical or business help they need, including hiring or training staff. They may use up to $6,500 in Phase I and up to $50,000 in Phase II for these services, whether through agency-vetted vendors or their own choices . Agencies offering I-Corps must let awardees opt into a teams course and allow SBIR/STTR assistance funds to help cover it . To track real-world results, SBA will publish an annual commercialization impact report for frequent Phase II awardees, covering revenues, patents, jobs, outside investment, and more . The bill also creates prioritized USPTO patent examination for SBIR/STTR recipients and expands outreach on patent help and scam prevention .