H.R. 4520 – SBIR/STTR Application Assistance Act

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Updated November 23, 2025 at 11:23 PM UTC

The SBIR/STTR Application Assistance Act directs the Small Business Administration (SBA) to help eligible small businesses apply for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. It also extends the SBA’s FAST (Funding Assistance for Small Businesses) program through September 30, 2030 and adds new outreach requirements aimed at increasing participation from minority‑ and Hispanic‑serving institutions. The changes affect small businesses seeking federal research funding and the SBA’s outreach and assistance activities.

Key Provisions

Extends the FAST program’s deadline from 2005 to September 30, 2030.
Adds a new SBA responsibility to provide application assistance for SBIR and STTR programs, especially in states with historically low award levels.
Requires the SBA to modify policy directives within 90 days to boost outreach to researchers at minority‑ and Hispanic‑serving institutions for both SBIR and STTR programs.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

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.

Small Business Committee

July 17, 2025

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

July 17, 2025

HouseIntro Referral

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.

Small Business Committee

July 17, 2025

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued July 17, 2025

I

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 4520

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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

A BILL

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.

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(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.

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(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.

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