Rural Innovation and Small Business Support Act

HR 9797, the Rural Innovation and Small Business Support Act, requires federal agencies administering the SBIR and STTR programs to improve outreach to rural small businesses. The bill amends the Small Business Act to mandate that agencies modify their policies within 90 days of enactment to specifically boost participation from rural small business concerns in these programs. Key provisions include requiring agencies to conduct targeted outreach efforts in rural communities to increase access to SBIR and STTR funding opportunities. This directly affects rural small businesses seeking federal research and development grants and federal agencies managing these programs. The law focuses on changing agency outreach practices, not altering funding levels or creating new programs.