Rural Innovation and Small Business Support Act

This bill aims to help small businesses in rural areas learn about and apply for SBIR and STTR funding. It tells the Small Business Administration to update its rules so that every federal agency running these programs must do more outreach in rural communities. The goal is to raise rural participation in these research and innovation grants. Agencies would need to actively bring information and support to rural places, not just wait for people to find them.

Key points:

• Who is affected: Federal agencies with SBIR or STTR programs, and small businesses in rural communities.
• What changes: Agencies must enhance outreach and conduct efforts in rural communities to increase applications and participation.
• When: Within 90 days after the bill becomes law, SBA must update policy to require these outreach steps.