Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) and Representative Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), the Ranking Members of the Senate and House Committees on Small Business, today introduced a bill in both houses to  reauthorize the SBIR/STTR programs.

Titled the SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2025, this bicameral legislation would build on the successes of the programs, while maintaining what has made them successful in the first place.  Most significantly, it would make the programs permanent, a long-overdue step for programs that have proven their worth for over 40 years in the case of SBIR.  Small businesses thrive on certainty and making these programs permanent sends a powerful message to small businesses that the government will continue to be a reliable partner and customer the them.

In addition to permanence, it would also substantially increase the SBIR and STTR allocations for the first time since 2011, and improve Phase III and provide resources to help small businesses transition and commercialize their technologies.  The bill would also seek to improve geographic diversity by reauthorizing and strengthening the FAST program to provide more resources and funding to regional incubators and businesses in underserved states who need assistance in navigating the proposal process.

The Small Business Technology Council is grateful Senator Markey and Representative Velazquez for working together to produce a bill that would strengthen and build on the successes of the SBIR/STTR programs, and has added its endorsement to this legislation.

With roughly 5 months until the programs expire after September 30, Congress will have to reconcile this bill with Sen. Ernst’s Bill, as well as one that will be introduced soon by House Small Business Committee Chair Roger Williams (R-TX).   Please follow the links below to review the bill text, summary, and press release: