Senate Passes R&D Reauthorization

The Senate late Monday unanimously passed legislation to reauthorize two federal programs intended to increase research and development funding for small businesses, which are slated to expire July 31 absent congressional action. The House passed its version of the bill to prolong the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs last Wednesday. The Senate bill, which differs from the House version, provides for an increase to the SBIR program allocation, raising it to 3.5 percent, spread out over 11 years. The SBIR allocation increase includes all agencies, including the National Institutes of Health. The bill also increases the STTR program allocation from 0.3 percent to 0.6 percent over six years. Additionally, the Senate bill would amend eligibility requirements to allow businesses owned and controlled by multiple venture capital firms to compete for a percentage of SBIR projects. To improve the diversity of the programs, the measure also reauthorizes the Federal and State Technology program and Rural Outreach Program.