July 17, 2025
Ms. Morrison introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
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.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the SBIR/STTR Application Assistance Act
.
Sec. 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
.
Sec. 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.