With the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs set to expire in two weeks, Ranking Member Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) has praised the House for unanimously passing a one-year extension of these initiatives. The SBIR/STTR programs provide competitive, merit-based funding to small businesses for research and development that supports federal and national needs.
“Last week, I heard from small businesses about how critical the SBIR and STTR programs are to ensuring our competitive edge on the global stage, to our strong economy, and to our national security,” said Ranking Member Markey. “We all agree these programs cannot lapse. The bipartisan one-year extension unanimously passed by the House today will allow us to continue negotiating a long-term extension while ensuring our most nimble allies, small businesses, can stay in the game. I urge my colleagues to help move this extension across the finish line and think twice before sinking small businesses and American innovation. The clock is winding down, and small businesses cannot afford to watch it hit zero.”
Markey has been active in efforts to prevent any interruption or significant changes to these programs. He recently spoke at DefendSBIR’s Capitol Hill Forum alongside business leaders and government officials about maintaining a robust SBIR/STTR program for national security purposes. Following this event, he attempted to advance his own SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2025 on the Senate floor; however, Senate Republicans blocked the legislation.
In August, Markey held a listening session at The Engine at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts with representatives from research-focused small businesses. During this session, participants discussed concerns over threats such as reduced federal agency budgets for research and policy shifts affecting universities.
Earlier in July, Markey criticized actions by the Trump administration that he said undermined American innovation through cuts to agencies supporting vital research efforts. He stressed that protecting programs like SBIR/STTR is necessary for maintaining U.S. leadership in global innovation.
In May of this year, Markey partnered with House Small Business Committee Ranking Member Nydia Velázquez (NY-07) to introduce legislation aimed at making permanent improvements to both SBIR and STTR programs. Their bill also included provisions designed to safeguard American innovation from foreign interference.
The SBIR/STTR programs have provided more than $70 billion in R&D funding over four decades and supported over 30,000 small businesses nationwide since their inception.
The current authorization for these programs will expire on September 30, 2025 unless Congress acts further.
