This bill keeps the federal SBIR and STTR small-business research programs going and ramps them up. It gradually requires agencies to spend more of their research budgets on small-business awards through 2032, rising to 7% for SBIR and 1% for STTR, which should mean more grant and contract opportunities for startups and inventors over time . It also directs agencies to make the “Direct to Phase II” path available across the government and extends many pilot programs through 2030, so promising ideas can move faster without always doing a Phase I first . To speed things up, the bill pushes simpler, standard contracts for later-stage awards and sets up a point person at each agency to help get funded tech into real-world use . At NIH, a pilot aims to cut award timelines to about 90 days .

The bill invests in people, too. Agencies can fund fellowships and internships tied to SBIR/STTR projects, with extra outreach to women and to socially and economically disadvantaged people . It pays for help with applications, especially in states and schools that haven’t won many awards, and invites SBIR/STTR teams to join I‑Corps training to sharpen their business plans . Small businesses can use up to $6,500 (Phase I) and $50,000 (Phase II) for technical and business help like hiring staff or getting expert advice, which can make it easier to launch products and create jobs . The bill also boosts agency admin funds slightly and sends a share to the SBA to improve program management, while extending security‑risk checks and other pilots to 2030 . More public reporting on who gets awards and which research partners are involved aims to increase transparency and fairness .

• Who is affected: Small tech firms, startups, and researchers seeking federal R&D funding; agencies that run SBIR/STTR; states and schools with low past participation.
• What changes: More funding set aside for small businesses; faster paths to larger awards; more help with applications and commercialization; clearer, simpler contracting; added training options and fellowships; stronger reporting and oversight .
• When: Phase‑in of higher set‑asides starts in 2026 and rises through 2032; many pilots and authorities run or are extended through 2030 .