A Democratic bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the ``SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2025'', aims to amend the Small Business Act to reauthorize and modify several research programs. It focuses on extending the authority for the SBIR and STTR programs, as well as the FAST Program. The legislation includes provisions to increase agency expenditures, enhance competition, and improve technology commercialization. It also establishes new fellowship opportunities and technical assistance improvements. Additionally, the bill incorporates various pilot programs and oversight initiatives.
Yes· 3 of 14
- Scored +7
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill provides increased funding, technical assistance, and commercialization guidance for small business owners.
- Scored +7
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill expands technical, business, and cybersecurity assistance, and establishes a Technology Commercialization Official to guide recipients.
- Scored +6
Does this put more money into scientific research?
The bill increases the required percentage of agency budgets dedicated to SBIR and STTR research programs over several years.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Funding for Research Programs: The bill increases agency expenditures for SBIR and STsR programs over several fiscal years, moving from 4 percent in 2026 to 7 percent in 2032 (Section 201).
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Educational Opportunities: Federal agencies may provide grants or awards for fellowships and internships at undergraduate, baccalaureate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels (Section 202).
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Enhanced Diversity and Inclusion: Fellowships will include enhanced outreach to increase the participation of women, socially disadvantaged individuals, and economically disadvantaged individuals (Section 202).
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Support for Minority Institutions: The bill requires enhanced outreach efforts to increase participation for individuals conducting research at minority institutions and Hispanic-serving institutions (Section 203).
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Technical and Business Assistance: Small business concerns can receive assistance for technical, business, and cybersecurity needs, including the ability to use funds to hire or train staff (Section 204).
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Training for Workforce: The bill establishes training activities for the agency acquisition workforce regarding Phase III acquisitions (Section 301).
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Commercialization Guidance: Each agency will designate a Technology Commercialization Official to provide guidance to recipients on transitioning technologies (Section 302).
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Streamlined Processes for NIH: A pilot program is established to reduce the time for awards under the National Institutes of Health SBIR and STTR programs (Section 504).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions Based on Ownership: A small business concern majority-owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity firms is ineligible for an award if the Administrator determines it is owned or controlled by a covered foreign entity (Section 505).
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Ineligibility for Foreign-Linked Entities: The bill defines a broad range of "covered foreign entities" and "foreign entities of concern" that can render a small business concern ineligible for SBIR awards (Section 505).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill provides increased funding, technical assistance, and commercialization guidance for small business owners. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill mandates enhanced outreach to increase participation from Hispanic-serving institutions. Would women be better off under this? — The bill requires enhanced outreach to increase the participation of women in fellowship and internship opportunities. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill includes provisions to increase participation from Tribal Colleges and Universities through research institution reporting. Would students be better off under this? — The bill establishes new opportunities for students through fellowships and internships at various academic levels. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill creates new fellowship and internship opportunities at undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill includes enhanced outreach for economically disadvantaged individuals in fellowship programs.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill expands technical, business, and cybersecurity assistance, and establishes a Technology Commercialization Official to guide recipients. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill increases funding for SBIR/STTR programs and provides resources for hiring and training staff within small businesses.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill increases the required percentage of agency budgets dedicated to SBIR and STTR research programs over several years. Does this make college cost less? — The bill authorizes federal agencies to provide grants or awards for fellowships and internships at various educational levels.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill requires enhanced outreach to increase participation for individuals at minority institutions.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — The bill explicitly adds cybersecurity assistance to the types of support available to small business recipients.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill includes a pilot program to accelerate the National Institutes of Health SBIR and STTR award process.
- 11/7/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/23/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/1/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House
9 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
- 119-HR-3851: SBIR/STTR Pilot Extension Act
- 119-HR-3953: SBIR/STTR Website Improvement Act
- 119-HR-4520: SBIR/STTR Application Assistance Act
- 119-HR-4775: SBIR/STTR Foreign Interference Safeguard Act
- 119-HR-4842: SBIR Commercialization Improvement Act
- 119-HR-5001: SBIR/STTR Oversight Act
- 119-HR-5212: SBIR/STTR Innovation Workforce Act
- 119-HR-7217: SBIR Administrative Funding Act
- 119-S-1573: SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2025
Gabe AmoDemocrat · Rhode Island
Judy ChuDemocrat · California
Chris PappasDemocrat · New Hampshire