HR 4520: SBIR/STTR Application Assistance Act

Summary

The SBIR/STTR Application Assistance Act is a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that aims to provide greater support and resources for small businesses seeking to apply for grants through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.

Key Provisions

• Establishes a new program within the Small Business Administration (SBA) to offer application assistance and training to small businesses interested in pursuing SBIR and STTR grants.
• Authorizes $50 million per year for 5 years to fund this new application assistance program.
• Requires the SBA to partner with state and local economic development organizations, universities, and other stakeholders to deliver application support services.
• Directs the SBA to develop online training modules, host workshops, and provide individualized coaching to help small businesses navigate the SBIR/STTR application process.
• Mandates that the SBA track and report on the number of small businesses receiving assistance, their success rates in securing SBIR/STTR awards, and other performance metrics.

Impact

• This bill is intended to make the SBIR and STTR grant programs more accessible to a wider range of small businesses, particularly those that may lack experience or resources to effectively apply for these competitive awards.
• By providing targeted application support, the legislation aims to increase the diversity of small business participants in the SBIR/STTR programs and unlock more federal R&D funding for innovative startups and entrepreneurs.
• The additional resources and partnership-building required by the bill could strengthen the overall SBIR/STTR ecosystem and lead to greater commercialization of federally-funded research and development.

Timeline

• The SBIR/STTR Application Assistance Act was introduced in the House on July 17, 2025 and has been referred to the House Committee on Small Business for consideration.
• If enacted, the SBA would have 1 year to establish the new application assistance program and begin delivering services to small businesses.