Monday, April 6, 2009

SBIR/STTR REAUTHORIZATION PASSED, PROGRAM GETS 4-MONTH REPRIEVE

The Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) were reauthorized at the last minute on March 18, following months of debate between proponents of House and Senate versions of the legislation. The current funding will expire on July 31 if Congress does not act. Key points of contention over the program include increasing grant size (and consequently, decreasing the number of potential recipients of SBIR/STTR funding), increasing the overall set aside amounts over a period of time, and the role of venture capital interests in SBIR activity under Small Business Administration (SBA) size-standards which currently limit eligibility to companies under 500 employees. For more information see the Small Business Technology Council web site.

Courtesy SPIE

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