This bill keeps two federal small‑business research programs going for one more year, through fiscal year 2026. These programs let U.S. small businesses compete for funding to test ideas and develop new products that could reach the market. It also pushes several related pilot efforts and deadlines from 2025 to 2026, such as faster award timelines, help with administration, flexibility in project phases, and programs that boost commercialization and set performance standards. It extends pilots that support partnerships with military research and educational institutions and improves how budgets are calculated, all through September 30, 2026.

Key points

• Who is affected: Small businesses doing research and development; federal agencies that run these programs; universities and military research schools that partner with small businesses .
• What changes: Authority and multiple pilot programs are extended from 2025 to 2026, including accelerated awards, phase flexibility, commercialization assistance and readiness, due diligence, administrative help, and performance standards.
• When: Through fiscal year 2026; many dates now run to September 30, 2026 .