A bipartisan amendment to help research-focused small businesses introduced by U.S. Representatives Brad Schneider (D-IL) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) was recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives as part of H.R. 2763 – The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Improvements Act of 2017.
The Schneider-Fitzpatrick amendment makes several changes to improve the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs, existing public-private partnership programs that help the United States meet its research and development needs. Specifically, the amendment helps small businesses participating in these programs to commercialize their research by removing hurdles and streamlining the process, including:
- increasing overall funding to help startups take their ideas from concept to commercialization;
- creating more flexibility in funding guidelines for technical and business assistance grants; and
- expanding the number of local vendors eligible to provide services to awardees.
The amendment is supported by the University City Science Center and the Larta Institute.
“I strongly support The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Improvements Act of 2017, and I thank Congressman Schneider and his colleagues for their leadership and vision. This legislation will allow the already successful SBIR/STTR program to become more efficient and impactful for researchers and entrepreneurs across the nation,” said Stephen S. Tang, Ph.D., MBA, President and CEO of the University City Science Center in Philadelphia. Dr. Tang also serves as Co-Chair of the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
“As America’s Seed Fund, the SBIR/STTR program has been an engine powering the discovery of solutions that ‘feed, fuel and heal the world.’ Larta applauds the work done by Congressman Schneider to revitalize this great program and stands ready to support this national treasure,” said the Larta Institute in a statement.
H.R. 2763 was passed by the House of Representatives on October 11, 2017.
