The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs are vital for our life sciences community. They provide early non-dilutive funding to help advance high-risk, early-stage innovative research. Without action by Congress, the programs will expire on September 30, 2022. CBSA is actively working with our partners to advocate for reauthorization. 

The SBIR/STTR extension was primarily negotiated by the committees of Small Business and Science & Technology committees in both the House and Senate. Today, they remain in the conference committee with no resolution or progress. We are hearing there are roadblocks from policymakers who continue to raise objections on the SBIR/STTR programs. 

In the past, Congress routinely extends the programs. This year, some Republicans have argued the latest extension should come with measures to prevent the Chinese government from exploiting companies the program supports. Congress may ultimately decide to handle the SBIR extension and new research security measures through the compromise version of the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act and the America COMPETES Act of 2022. Currently, it is being negotiated by a conference committee.

Support for these critical federal programs is a longstanding policy priority for CBSA. We will continue to work with national partners to secure the renewal and communicate their importance to health innovators, and ultimately, patients.

CBSA supports our ecosystem’s need for increased access to capital. Through our Capital + Growth efforts, we work closely with public and private partners to accelerate investment in life sciences companies at all stages of commercialization.