Program Authorization
SBIR
The SBIR program was established under the Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982 (P.L. 97-219) with the purpose of strengthening the role of innovative small business concerns in Federally-funded research and development (R&D). Subsequently, Congress passed numerous extensions, the most recent of which extended the SBIR program through 2025.
The SBIR Policy Directive is available for viewing at http://sbir.gov/about/about-sbir
STTR
Modeled after the SBIR program, STTR was established as a pilot program by the Small Business Technology Transfer Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-564, Title II), with the goal of facilitating the transfer of technology developed by a research institution through the entrepreneurship of a small business concern. Government agencies with R&D budgets of $1 billion or more are required to set aside a portion of these funds to finance the STTR activity Subsequently, Congress has passed numerous extensions, the most recent of which extended the STTR program through 2025.
The STTR Policy Directive is available for viewing at http://sbir.gov/about/about-sttr
Executive Order
Executive Order 13329:
Encouraging Innovation in Manufacturing
On February 24, 2004, President George W. Bush signed Executive order 13329. This Executive Order was implemented to help ensure that Federal agencies properly and effectively assist the private sector in its manufacturing innovation efforts.
