SBIR/STTR Innovation Workforce Act

House Votes

This bill would let federal agencies fund small businesses that already earned a Phase II SBIR or STTR award so those companies can offer paid fellowships and internships. These opportunities can be for college students through postdoctoral researchers, in fields important to each agency. Agencies must also do extra outreach so more women and people who are socially or economically disadvantaged can take part, and they may partner with experienced nonprofit groups to help with that outreach.

Agencies could use specific program funds for this, and in most cases could spend up to 3% of certain required program funds to support these fellowships and outreach efforts.

• Who is affected: Students and researchers (undergrad through postdoc); small businesses with Phase II SBIR or STTR awards; federal agencies; nonprofits that support outreach.
• What changes: Agencies can give grants or awards to those small businesses to run fellowships/internships and must expand outreach to underrepresented groups; nonprofits can help deliver outreach.
• Funding: Agencies may use defined program funds; for most, up to 3% of certain required funds can be used for these activities.