NEWS | NSBA, SBTC Continue Urging Enactment of Small Business SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Bill Without Delay
- NSBA
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
NSBA and our Small Business Technology Council (SBTC) continue urging action on the S. 3971 5-year reauthorization plan - further delays will add to harm caused by lapse of SBIR/STTR programs.
ANALYSIS | The SBIR/STTR programs are a cornerstone of the U.S. innovation ecosystem, providing critical early-stage funding that enables small businesses to develop cutting-edge technologies, compete for federal contracts, and transition research into commercial success, often in sectors vital to national security and economic competitiveness. Continued delays in reauthorization create uncertainty that disrupts long-term planning, discourages participation, and risks stalling promising R&D pipelines. Without timely action, small firms may lose access to essential capital, federal agencies face gaps in innovation sourcing, and the broader economy could see diminished technological advancement and global competitiveness at a time when speed and certainty are paramount.
MARCH 25, 2026 | Last week, the House passed bipartisan Senate legislation (S. 3971) to reauthorize the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs through Sept. 30, 2031.
Despite earlier House passage of a stopgap bill (H.R. 5100) before SBIR/STTR's expiration in Sept. 2025, national security and fairness concerns from Senators stalled progress of the short-term reauthorization bill for nearly six months, abruptly leaving small businesses in a state of uncertainty and the nation in a position of avoidable vulnerability with these programs expired.
Fortunately, Sens. Markey (D-Mass.) and Ernst (R-Iowa) were able to lead the Senate to a longer-term compromise with S. 3971, ultimately passing through the Upper Chamber by unanimous consent, followed by a 341-46 vote for final passage in the House.
Around the same time of final passage of S. 3971, President Trump issued a hardline stance on a voter ID and election reform bill, declaring a moratorium on signature of new laws until Congress passes and presents the SAVE America Act.
In close contact with NSBA and our Small Business Technology Council (SBTC) on the latest for this important reauthorization, congressional staff is reporting S. 3971 remains pending for presentation to the President for signature into law due to the SAVE America Act moratorium. Staffers and leadership said this delayed approach minimizes threat of a premature veto of the bill.
Once S. 3971 is formally presented, the President will have 10 days with the exception of Sundays to sign or veto, after which, if no action is taken, the bill becomes law.
Sentiments from Capitol Hill remain generally optimistic that the President will sign S. 3971 for his support of the 5-year reauthorization for SBIR/STTR, but it comes down a question of timing, with agencies and small businesses still in a holding pattern waiting for reinstatement.
Follow NSBA and SBTC for the latest on signature of S. 3971 into law, and join our efforts to further this 5-year reauthorization for SBIR/STTR into permanent policy for critical small-business technology research and development.
