Sponsors (4)
The bill extends and expands SBIR/STTR programs to direct more funding, commercialization support, and outreach to small firms and underrepresented communities while imposing new fees, reporting requirements, eligibility limits, and budget shifts that may reduce funds for other research and increase compliance burdens.
Small businesses, government contractors, and researchers keep uninterrupted access to SBIR/STTR and FAST program support because the bill prevents program expiration and extends authority through 2030.
Small businesses will receive more direct R&D funding as SBIR set‑asides increase toward 7% and STTR toward 1%, boosting resources for commercialization and potential job growth.
Small firms gain stronger commercialization support — expanded Phase III assistance, acquisition workforce training, and standardized solicitation/contract clauses — improving chances to transition research into follow‑on government contracts.
Scientists, university researchers, and other extramural grant recipients will likely see reduced agency funds for investigator‑driven research because higher SBIR/STTR set‑asides and mandated transfers take a larger share of agency R&D budgets.
Small businesses and federal staff face increased administrative and compliance burdens from expanded reporting, outreach programs, fellowship rules, designated officials, training, and data collection requirements.
Venture-backed and some small firms risk being excluded from SBIR/STTR awards because tighter foreign‑ownership/interest rules and new eligibility limits could bar applicants and create disputes or delays.
Based on analysis of 13 sections of legislative text.
Extends and strengthens SBIR/STTR through 2030: raises agency set-asides, creates fellowships, boosts commercialization and reporting, and raises the program fee rate slightly.
Introduced May 1, 2025 by Nydia M. Velázquez · Last progress May 1, 2025
Extends and updates the SBIR and STTR small-business research programs through 2030 and raises the minimum share of agency extramural R&D budgets set aside for those programs on a phased schedule beginning in FY2026. It creates a new fellowship/internship authority tied to Phase II awardees, requires agencies to name Technology Commercialization Officials and train acquisition staff, standardizes Phase III procurement support, expands reporting and evaluation, and modestly raises a program fee rate. The changes mainly affect small businesses that receive SBIR/STTR awards, agency research and acquisition offices, and students/trainees who would be eligible for new fellowships; they also tighten commercialization and reporting rules and direct certain large research agencies to transfer a portion of specific program funds to the SBA for program activities and outreach.