Media

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Jim Baird (IN-04) and Rep. Haley Stevens (MI-11) re-introduced the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Improvements Act of 2021, which will update and improve the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs.

“Ensuring small businesses have up-to-date and efficient resources that encourage them to take calculated risks in pursuit of innovative advancements is critical to promoting American ingenuity,” said Rep. Baird. “By strengthening and improving the SBIR and STTR programs that are vital to Hoosier small businesses and our nation, we can cultivate an environment that helps Main Street and our economy thrive.”

“I am thrilled to join my friend and colleague Congressman Jim Baird to introduce this bipartisan legislation to strengthen the SBIR and STTR programs,” said Rep. Stevens. “These small business grant programs have helped entrepreneurs in Michigan pursue their big ideas and contribute to our thriving innovation economy. Small businesses in Michigan’s 11th District have received millions through these programs to develop an amazing array of new technologies. The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Improvements Act will make these programs even stronger by increasing accountability, prioritizing cybersecurity, and promoting diversity among grant award recipients.” 

Background:

The SBIR and STTR programs provide competitive funding opportunities encouraging small businesses to take risks and pursue innovative research for technology commercialization. To be eligible, the small business must be American owned with less than 500 employees and classified as a for-profit entity. Eleven Federal Agencies participate annually in the programs to fund research that meets their objectives.

This bill reinforces the requirement that the Small Business Association (SBA) give a comprehensive annual report of the SBIR and STTR programs to Congress and holds the Department of Defense (DoD) accountable to stimulate technological innovation. The bill also prioritizes the stimulation of manufacturing and cybersecurity in the United States, improves outreach in institutions serving minorities, and extends the flexibility given to agencies for innovative funding mechanisms under the SBIR and STTR programs.