To extend the SBIR and STTR programs, and for other purposes.
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Would extend the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs — along with several related pilot programs — by one year, keeping them authorized through the end of fiscal year 2026.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The bill would extend the authorization of the SBIR and STTR programs through September 30, 2026, by amending Section 9 of the Small Business Act to replace expiration dates of September 30, 2025, or fiscal year 2025 with the corresponding 2026 dates. Both programs provide competitive awards to small businesses to conduct research and development projects with commercialization potential.
Beyond the two core programs, the bill would similarly extend eight related provisions and pilot programs under the same statute, including the Phase Flexibility pilot, the Commercialization Readiness Program for Civilian Agencies, the Accelerated Awards provision, the Phase 0 Pilot Program, administrative assistance, minimum performance standards, the Commercialization Assistance Pilot Programs, the Due Diligence Program, the STTR Participation of Military Research and Educational Institutions Pilot Program, and the Budget Calculation Pilot Program — each pushed forward by one year.
Key provisions
- 1Would extend SBIR program authority by one year, changing the expiration date from September 30, 2025 to September 30, 2026, in the Small Business Act.
- 2Would extend STTR program authority by one year, changing the authorized period from through fiscal year 2025 to through fiscal year 2026.
- 3Would extend eight SBIR/STTR-related pilot programs and provisions — including Phase Flexibility, Commercialization Readiness, Accelerated Awards, and others — through fiscal year 2026.
Who would be affected
Domestic small businesses that currently receive or compete for SBIR and STTR awards from participating federal agencies, as well as research institutions partnering with small businesses under the STTR program. Federal agencies that administer these competitive award programs would also be affected, as their authority to make awards would be maintained for another year.
Why it matters
Without this extension, the SBIR and STTR programs and their related pilot programs would expire on September 30, 2025. Small businesses relying on these awards for R&D funding — and agencies mid-cycle in the award process — could face disruption. The one-year extension preserves the status quo while Congress considers longer-term reauthorization.
What would change
Changes to existing law
Amends Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. § 638(m) (Sec. 1(a))
Extends SBIR program authority expiration from September 30, 2025 to September 30, 2026.
Amends Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. § 638(n)(1)(A) (Sec. 1(b))
Extends STTR program authorization from through fiscal year 2025 to through fiscal year 2026.
Amends Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. § 638 (subsections cc, gg, hh, jj, mm, qq, uu, vv, yy, zz) (Sec. 2)
Extends expiration dates for eight SBIR/STTR-related pilot programs and provisions by one year, to 2026.
Effective dates
- SBIR program authority and all extended provisions expire
- STTR program authority and related fiscal-year-based provisions expire
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
Official CRS summary
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This bill reauthorizes through FY2026 the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, and related pilot programs.
The SBIR and STTR programs are administered by various federal agencies and provide competitive awards for domestic small businesses to conduct research and development projects that have the potential for commercialization.
Legislative subjects
Commerce; Government lending and loan guarantees; Product development and innovation; Research and development; Small business; Technology transfer and commercialization
Committee report
H. Rept. 119-265