BREAKING: Following Shaheen Push to Reauthorize SBIR/STTR Programs, Senate Unanimously Clears Legislation to Extend Pivotal Small Business Research Programs
As expiration of the federal programs loomed, Shaheen spearheaded reauthorization legislation reintroduced just last week. Shaheen has led action in the U.S. Senate to extend the SBIR & STTR programs for nearly a decade.
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a three-year reauthorization of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The Senate’s action today came on the heels of Shaheen’s push last week to similarly extend authorization of the federal programs, which were due to expire at the end of September. These programs assist small businesses in engaging in the research and development that helps keep the United States competitive, and many of the partnerships created through the SBIR and STRR programs involve the Department of Defense (DoD), leading innovations important to U.S. national security.
“This is a major win for American companies and U.S. innovation. From NASA to the Department of Defense, New Hampshire invests millions of dollars from SBIR and STTR grant funding every year, boosting research and development opportunities at our companies and academic institutions throughout the state. These federal programs help ensure New Hampshire has a level playing field to stay at the forefront of innovation. I commend Chairman Cardin for his hard work on this initiative, and I’m glad to see the Senate get this done. The House should swiftly follow suit,” said Shaheen. “This bill extends the program for another three years, but to avoid these looming deadlines and unnecessary uncertainty for companies that rely on access to the SBIR and STTR programs – it’s time to reauthorize the programs permanently.”
As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations and Armed Services Committees, Shaheen has led action in the U.S. Senate in support of the SBIR and STTR programs. She has long called for a permanent reauthorization of the programs, and in 2016 successfully helped secure a five-year extension of the programs in the fiscal year (FY) 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that was signed into law. In 2019, Shaheen led bipartisan legislation that would make permanent and strengthen the SBIR and STTR programs. Shaheen has supported and announced numerous SBIR and STTR awards for companies throughout New Hampshire.
