H.R. 7094 – Get to a Yes or No Faster Act

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Updated April 16, 2026 at 12:09 AM UTC

The Get to a Yes or No Faster Act directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to examine how it awards Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants. The goal is to find ways to make the application process less burdensome and to speed up decisions on funding. The NSF must look at other agencies’ methods and report its findings to Congress within six months.

Key Provisions

The NSF Director must review the current SBIR and STTR grant‑award process, focusing on reducing applicant workload and speeding up decisions.
The review must consider alternative models, such as the Defense Innovation Unit’s approach and the Department of Energy’s letter‑of‑intent practice, to identify best practices.
A report summarizing the review’s findings and any planned actions must be submitted to Congress no later than six months after the law takes effect.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Small Business, 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.

Science, Space, and Technology Committee

October 26, 2018

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

October 26, 2018

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Small Business, 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.

Science, Space, and Technology Committee

October 26, 2018

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued October 26, 2018

I

115th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 7094

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

October 26, 2018

Ms. Esty of Connecticut (for herself and Mr. Moolenaar) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Small Business, 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

A BILL

To require the Director of the National Science Foundation to review the application process for awarding grants under the Small Business Innovation Research Program and the Small Business Technology Transfer Program.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Get to a Yes or No Faster Act.

2.

National Science Foundation review on certain grants

(a)

In general

The Director of the National Science Foundation shall carry out a review of the process for awarding grants under the Small Business Innovation Research Program and the Small Business Technology Transfer Program established under section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638), including—

(1)

identifying methods, including the use of preliminary proposals, of decreasing the workload for entities applying for such grants; and

(2)

accelerating the decisionmaking process for awarding such grants.

(b)

Examination of efficient models

In carrying out the review under subsection (a), the Director shall examine models and practices for awarding grants under the Small Business Innovation Research Program and the Small Business Technology Transfer Program that can be adopted by the National Science Foundation, including examining—

(1)

alternative models for grant application processes, including the Defense Innovation Unit Experimental program carried out by the Department of Defense; and

(2)

best practices used by other Federal agencies that award such grants, including the letter of intent requirement of the Department of Energy.

(c)

Report

Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall submit to Congress a report on the findings of the review carried out under this section and any actions the Director plans to take pursuant to such findings.