Technology (Small Business)

in committee · United States · House Jul 17, 2025

HR 4520: SBIR/STTR Application Assistance Act

This bill extends the FAST Program deadline in the Small Business Act from 2005 to 2030 and requires federal agencies to provide direct application assistance to small businesses seeking federal research grants (SBIR/STTR programs). It specifically mandates enhanced outreach efforts to increase participation from minority-serving institutions (as defined in the Higher Education Act) and Hispanic-serving institutions in these programs. The key provision requires agencies to modify existing policies within 90 days to include targeted outreach strategies for underrepresented institutions. This affects small businesses applying for research grants and institutions historically receiving fewer SBIR/STTR awards. The bill focuses on concrete procedural changes to improve access, not on new funding or outcome predictions.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens federal research funding for small businesses and promotes digital equity through enhanced outreach to minority and Hispanic-serving institutions in technology research programs.75% confidence

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 10, 2025

S 3415: Small Business Innovation Voucher Act of 2025

This bill creates the Innovation Voucher Grant Program to provide small businesses with grants covering up to 75% of costs (up to $75,000 total) for purchasing technical assistance and services from eligible research institutions like universities or nonprofit labs. Small businesses (as defined by the Small Business Act) directly benefit by accessing advanced research capabilities, expertise, and infrastructure to develop new products or services. The program requires competitive applications, mandates post-project reporting on innovation outcomes, and authorizes $10 million annually from 2026-2030 to fund grants, with no more than 5% of funds used for administrative costs.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill provides funding for small businesses to access technical assistance and research capabilities, advancing technology adoption and innovation.85% confidence

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passed · United States · House Feb 26, 2025

HR 788: DOE and SBA Research Act

HR 788 requires the Department of Energy (DOE) and Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish formal agreements for joint research and development (R&D) projects. This mandates that small businesses must be included in these collaborative efforts, aligning DOE and SBA missions to advance shared goals like clean energy innovation. The bill creates a two-year reporting requirement for the agencies to Congress, detailing coordination, research achievements, and future collaboration opportunities. It does not authorize new funding and ensures R&D activities comply with existing research security rules.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates DOE/SBA joint R&D with small businesses for clean energy innovation, explicitly advancing shared goals in clean energy development.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates DOE/SBA R&D for clean energy innovation, directly advancing climate change mitigation goals.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes clean energy innovation through joint R&D between DOE and SBA, advancing technology development and collaboration.70% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Tags Small Business

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in committee · United States · House Jun 9, 2025

HR 3851: SBIR/STTR Pilot Extension Act

This bill extends key federal research grant programs for small businesses until 2030. It expands the "direct to Phase II" option for agencies (previously ending in 2025), limits these awards to 10% of an agency’s SBIR budget (15% for NIH), and requires annual reporting on such awards. It also extends the commercialization readiness program for civilian agencies and two specific pilot programs (Phase 0 and commercialization assistance) through 2030. The bill directly affects small businesses seeking federal research funding through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends federal research grant programs until 2030, continuing government spending on small business innovation (SBIR/STTR), which funds essential programs without tax changes.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExtends federal R&D funding for small businesses in technology sectors through SBIR/STTR programs, directly advancing tech innovation and commercialization.95% confidence

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in committee · United States · House May 1, 2025

HR 3169: SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2025

The SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs through 2032, requiring federal agencies to dedicate increasing percentages of their budgets to these programs (starting at 4% through 2025, rising to 7% by 2032). The bill introduces new provisions including fellowships for researchers, enhanced outreach to increase participation from women and disadvantaged groups, and improved technical assistance for small businesses. It also establishes new reporting requirements on commercialization outcomes and adds safeguards to ensure small business concerns owned by venture capital or private equity firms meet specific criteria. The bill extends several pilot programs, including those related to direct Phase II awards and commercialization readiness, through 2030.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds SBIR/STTR programs to boost small business tech R&D, increasing federal budget allocations for innovation through 2032.95% confidence

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in committee · United States · House May 7, 2025

HR 3239: Research Advancing to Market Production for Innovators Act

This bill amends the Small Business Act to improve how federal agencies support small businesses in turning research into market products through the SBIR and STTR programs. It shortens peer review timelines from one year to 180 days, requires reviewers to assess commercialization potential alongside technical merit, and mandates agencies to appoint dedicated Technology Commercialization Officials. Agencies must also track success through annual reports measuring revenue from new products, patents, follow-on funding, and spin-out companies. The changes directly affect small businesses receiving SBIR/STTR grants and federal agencies managing these programs.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAmends SBIR/STTR to accelerate tech commercialization via shorter reviews, commercialization assessments, and tracking revenue/patents from new products.95% confidence

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signed · United States · House May 19, 2026

HR 2066: Investing in All of America Act of 2025

The Investing in All of America Act of 2025 amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to adjust leverage rules for Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs), which provide capital to small businesses. It lowers the maximum allowable leverage ratio from 300% to 200% and expands eligible investments to include companies in rural areas, critical technology sectors, and small manufacturers. The bill caps excluded leverage at $125 million or 50% of a company’s private capital, whichever is lower, and requires annual inflation adjustments to these dollar amounts. These changes directly affect SBICs, private investment firms that support small business growth nationwide.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands SBIC investments to include critical technology sectors, directly funding tech companies through capital access provisions.95% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Oct 10, 2025

HR 5726: DOD Entrepreneurial Innovation Act

The DOD Entrepreneurial Innovation Act designates certain small business research programs (SBIR/STTR Phase III agreements) as "Entrepreneurial Innovation Projects" to prioritize national security innovation. Each military department must annually select at least five eligible programs through advisory panels composed of private sector experts, military leaders, and acquisition professionals, based on criteria like national security impact and cost savings. Designated programs receive special budget treatment, including separate funding lines in defense planning documents and inclusion in annual progress reports to Congress. This law directly affects small businesses participating in DOD research contracts and reshapes how the Department of Defense identifies and funds emerging technologies.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyDesignates defense tech innovation programs for prioritization, advancing national security technology through SBIR/STTR funding and private-sector collaboration95% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Aug 19, 2025

HR 5001: SBIR/STTR Oversight Act

HR 5001, the SBIR/STTR Oversight Act, requires federal agencies administering Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs to improve transparency and accountability. It mandates annual reports to Congress detailing program operations, including publishing reports online, and directs the Comptroller General to assess diversity in participant demographics and technology commercialization efforts within three years. The bill also extends a report on award timeliness from 3 to 11 years and establishes a pilot program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to reduce funding approval times to approximately 90 days. This legislation directly affects federal agencies running SBIR/STTR programs and aims to enhance oversight of how these programs support small businesses, particularly underrepresented groups and new entrants.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates transparency and oversight for SBIR/STTR programs funding tech innovation, requiring assessments of technology commercialization efforts to strengthen small business tech development.95% confidence

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passed · United States · House Sep 16, 2025

HR 5100: To extend the SBIR and STTR programs, and for other purposes.

HR 5100 extends the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs through fiscal year 2026, instead of ending on September 30, 2025. This bill directly affects small businesses and research institutions that rely on federal funding for research and development through these programs. The key mechanism is updating expiration dates across multiple program provisions in the Small Business Act to maintain funding authority and program operations for one additional year. The extension does not alter program eligibility, funding levels, or core requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends SBIR/STTR funding through 2026, maintaining federal R&D spending for small businesses and research institutions, directly supporting fiscal continuity of essential programs.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExtends SBIR/STTR programs providing federal R&D funding to small tech businesses, directly advancing technology innovation through sustained financial support.95% confidence

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