NEWS | Senate Advances SBIR, STTR Reauthorization Plan with Support from NSBA, SBTC

NSBA and our Small Business Technology Council (SBTC) commend the Senate for reaching a unanimous agreement to reauthorize the SBIR and STTR programs, with continued passage expected in the House.

UPDATE, MARCH 11, 2026 | The House is out this week, with Republicans away in Doral, Fla., for their annual policy retreat, where President Trump spelled out new demands for lawmakers to pass a voter ID-related bill known as the SAVE America Act, threatening to embargo passage of any new legislation until it reaches his desk. While the House is due to return next week and consideration for S. 3971 to reinstate SBIR for five years remains slated for around March 16, the Administration's hard line on the SAVE Act could spell changes in the congressional calendar when it comes to final passage. NSBA and SBTC continue urging lawmakers in Washington to remember the importance of the SBIR/STTR program funds and choose common sense when it comes to the urgency of reinstating these vital funds for small-business technology research and development.

Follow NSBA and SBTC for the latest on progress of S. 3971, and urge Congress and the White House to prioritze small business over politics.

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MARCH 4, 2026 | On March 3, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed legislation (S. 3971) to reauthorize the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs through Sept. 30, 2031. 

Following a 5-month lapse of these important programs, this 5-year plan from the Senate is a welcome compromise solution on the path to long-term certainty for SBIR/STTR recipient firms developing cutting-edge technologies. 

Led by Senate Small Business Committee Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.), the bipartisan agreement aims to strengthen America’s seed fund, protect sensitive technology, and immediately reopen these critical innovation programs.

The bill now heads to the House, which previously passed a 1-year extension (H.R. 5100).

For thousands of Small Businesses driving R&D, national security innovation, and next-generation technology, this progress is the reflection and culmination of countless hours of advocacy from our members urging action from Congress to reestablish these programs. 

And we're nearly over the finish line. 

Check back here for more SBIR updates from NSBA and SBTC, and contact to your Members of Congress directly to demand swift action on S. 3971.