U.S. Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA) is advocating for the U.S. Senate to extend the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
Earlier this month, the House of Representatives unanimously passed a bipartisan one-year extension to the SBIR and STTR programs. These programs seek to ensure that small businesses are not harmed by an unnecessary lapse in federal funding. Markey is now advocating for the swift passage of the one-year extension in the Senate.
“The SBIR and STTR programs have bipartisan support because Congress recognizes the critical role innovative small businesses play in meeting federal research and development needs. A lapse in these programs would jeopardize over $4 billion in federal R&D funding and put thousands of small businesses and startups at risk,” Markey said. “A one-year extension provides Congress the time it needs to come to a longer reauthorization with program improvements. These programs have not lapsed in a quarter of a century. We cannot allow them to lapse now, or American innovation will face the consequences for decades to come.”
Markey recently released new analysis on how a program lapse would harm small businesses and the innovation ecosystem.
Markey called out the widespread bipartisan support that these programs have. He cited a letter that 112 small businesses wrote to Congress in support of them.
“This is no time to risk America’s innovation advantage. As China and other adversaries aggressively develop game-changing technologies, the United States relies on the SBIR and STTR programs to maintain our competitive position. Every dollar of Department of Defense (DoD) SBIR activity generates four dollars in follow-on (non-SBIR) research and development funding. Allowing these programs to lapse would undercut small businesses, weaken our defense industrial base, and erode our advantages in technology commercialization. By passing the one-year extension, the Senate can safeguard these programs while providing space to craft a long-term reauthorization that strengthens the programs for decades to come,” the letter stated.
A group of 150 small business leaders representing over 100 businesses and organizations in the clean energy industry also urged Congressional leaders to extend the program. In addition, they have the support of the Association of American Universities, the Association of American Medical Colleges, the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, the American Council on Education, and AUTM.
Further, the National Academies’ congressionally mandated panel to study the SBIR and STTR programs also backs the one-year extension.