SBIR/STTR Application Assistance Act
Summary
What This Bill Does
The SBIR/STTR Application Assistance Act updates Small Business Act programs that help small firms and research institutions compete for federal innovation awards. It extends the Federal and State Technology Partnership Program by replacing its September 30, 2005 sunset with September 30, 2030. It also adds application assistance to SBIR and STTR participation work, including help for small business concerns applying to the SBIR or STTR program of a federal agency and help implementing policy directives to increase participation by states that historically receive low levels of SBIR or STTR awards. Within 90 days after enactment, the SBA must modify SBIR policy directives to require enhanced outreach to individuals conducting research at minority institutions and Hispanic-serving institutions, and STTR procedures must include similar outreach for those researchers.
Who Benefits and How
Small businesses applying to SBIR benefit from application assistance tied to federal agency programs. Small businesses applying to STTR benefit from application assistance and outreach procedures. Researchers at minority institutions benefit from enhanced SBIR and STTR outreach requirements. Researchers at Hispanic-serving institutions benefit from the same outreach requirements. States with historically low SBIR or STTR awards benefit from participation-focused application help.
Who Bears the Burden and How
The Small Business Administration must extend FAST administration and modify SBIR policy directives within 90 days. Federal SBIR agencies must provide application assistance and outreach consistent with updated directives. Federal STTR agencies must update outreach procedures for minority institution and Hispanic-serving institution researchers. Program administrators must identify and support historically low-award states.
Key Provisions
- Extends the FAST program authorization through September 30, 2030.
- Requires SBIR and STTR application assistance for small business concerns.
- Targets assistance to states with historically low SBIR or STTR award levels.
- Requires SBA to modify SBIR policy directives within 90 days for enhanced outreach to minority institution and Hispanic-serving institution researchers.
- Adds STTR outreach procedures for researchers at minority institutions and Hispanic-serving institutions.
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
Extends the Small Business Administration FAST program through September 30, 2030 and requires SBIR and STTR application assistance and outreach for low-award states, minority institutions, and Hispanic-serving institutions.
Key Policy Areas
Small Business, Research Grants, Higher Education
Primary Purpose
Extends the Small Business Administration FAST program through September 30, 2030 and requires SBIR and STTR application assistance and outreach for low-award states, minority institutions, and Hispanic-serving institutions.
Policy Domains
Resolution provisions
Identified Gains
- Small businesses applying to SBIR
- Small businesses applying to STTR
- Researchers at minority institutions
- Researchers at Hispanic-serving institutions
- States with historically low SBIR awards
Identified Costs
- Small Business Administration
- Federal SBIR agencies
- Federal STTR agencies
- Program administrators
Legislative Progress
In CommitteeMs. Morrison introduced the following bill; which was referred to …
Referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition …
Introduced in House
Stakeholder Effects
cui bono?How this legislation distributes effects. Mention counts reflect frequency, not effect magnitude.
Federal SBIR agencies, Federal STTR agencies, Small Business Administration
Small businesses applying to SBIR, Small businesses applying to STTR
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology