HR 4520
SBIR/STTR Application Assistance Act
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Bill overview
This bill, the SBIR/STTR Application Assistance Act, directs the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide assistance to small businesses seeking to apply for grants through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. It extends the timeframe for the SBA’s FAST program and mandates increased outreach efforts to minority and Hispanic-serving institutions to encourage greater participation in these programs. The bill aims to broaden access to federal research and development funding for small businesses.
Key provisions
- Extends the period for the SBA’s FAST program to September 30, 2030.
- Requires the SBA to provide assistance to small businesses applying for SBIR and STTR programs.
- Mandates enhanced outreach to minority institutions and Hispanic-serving institutions.
- Updates SBA policy directives to prioritize outreach to researchers at these institutions.
- Addresses participation levels in SBIR and STTR programs in states with historically low award rates.
Who is affected
- Small businesses
- The Small Business Administration (SBA)
- Minority institutions
- Hispanic-serving institutions
- Federal agencies administering SBIR and STTR programs
Notable changes
- Increases the SBA’s responsibility to provide application assistance.
- Establishes a timeline for the SBA to modify outreach policies.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. R. 4520
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To require the Small Business Administration to provide assistance with apply to SBIR and STTR programs to certain small business concerns, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the SBIR/STTR Application Assistance Act
.
Section 34(i) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657d(i)) is amended by striking September 30, 2005
and inserting September 30, 2030
.
Section 9(mm)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(mm)(1)) is amended—
in subparagraph (J), by striking and
at the end;
in subparagraph (K), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and
; and
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
providing small business concerns with assistance applying to the SBIR program or STTR program of the Federal agency, including providing such assistance to carry out the policy directive required under paragraphs (2)(F) or (5) of subsection (j) and subsection (p)(2)(H) to increase the participation of States with respect to which a low level of SBIR or STTR awards have historically been awarded.
Section 9(j) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(j)), is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, the Administration shall modify the policy directives issued pursuant to this subsection to require enhanced outreach efforts to increase the participation of individuals conducting research at minority institutions (as defined in section 365 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067k)) and Hispanic-serving institutions (as defined in section 502(a) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1101a(a))) in SBIR programs.
Section 9(p)(2) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(p)(2)) is amended—
in subparagraph (F), by striking and
at the end;
in subparagraph (G)(iii), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and
; and
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
procedures for outreach efforts to increase the participation of individuals conducting research at minority institutions (as defined in section 365 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067k)) and Hispanic-serving institutions (as defined in section 16 502(a) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1101a(a))) in STTR programs.