H. R. 4520

SBIR/STTR Application Assistance Act

Shown here: Introduced in House (2025-07-17)

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.

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the “SBIR/STTR Application Assistance Act”.

2. Extension of FAST Program

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”.

3. Application assistance to broaden participation

(a) In general

Section 9(mm)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(mm)(1)) is amended—

(1) in subparagraph (J), by striking “and” at the end;

(2) in subparagraph (K), by striking the period at the end and inserting “; and”; and

(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(L) 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.

(b) Enhanced minority institution participation

(1) SBIR

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:

(5) Increased outreach requirements
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.

(2) STTR

Section 9(p)(2) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(p)(2)) is amended—

(A) in subparagraph (F), by striking “and” at the end;

(B) in subparagraph (G)(iii), by striking the period at the end and inserting “; and”; and

(C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(H) 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.