Research Advancing to Market Production Act

Full Title:
Research Advancing to Market Production for Innovators Act

Summary#

This bill changes how the federal SBIR and STTR small business research programs support turning research into products. It requires peer review to consider the likelihood of commercialization and to include at least one reviewer with commercialization experience. It shortens two existing 1-year time references to 180 days in SBIR and STTR peer review provisions. Agencies may use a limited share of their SBIR/STTR funds for flexible Phase awards during fiscal years 2025–2027 (generally up to 10% of an agency’s SBIR/STTR funds, and up to 15% for the National Institutes of Health).

The bill also requires each participating agency to designate an existing Technology Commercialization Official to guide awardees, identify technologies ready to move to Phase III or non-SBIR contracts, coordinate with other agencies, and submit annual reports on commercialization activity and process improvements. It expands technical and business assistance: recipients must be allowed to choose assistance (including cybersecurity help), may use funds to hire or train staff, and may receive up to $6,500 per Phase I project and up to $50,000 per Phase II project for such services (as part of or in addition to award funding). Agencies may offer participation in I‑Corps teams courses and allow use of assistance funds to cover participation costs.

The Administrator must coordinate an annual commercialization impact assessment measuring many outcomes (awards, revenues, patents, spin‑outs, Phase III awards, employment, and other items) for covered firms and include the assessment in annual reporting to Congress. The bill also directs the Administrator to make an interagency agreement with the USPTO to create a prioritized patent examination program for SBIR and STTR recipients and to provide outreach about Pro Se assistance and scam prevention.

What it means for you#

  • Small businesses that receive SBIR or STTR awards may get more help to turn research into products, including business and cybersecurity assistance, training, and access to I‑Corps courses.
  • Awardees can use specified amounts ($6,500 for Phase I, $50,000 for Phase II) for technical and business support, if the agency allows that funding to be included in or added to their awards.
  • Agencies will have a named Technology Commercialization Official to help move promising projects toward commercial contracts and Phase III opportunities.
  • Peer review panels will, when practicable, consider commercialization likelihood and include at least one commercialization expert.

Expenses#

  • The bill sets program limits but does not provide a total cost estimate. No publicly available information on net federal cost is included in the bill text.
  • It allows agencies to use up to 10% of their SBIR/STTR funds for awards under the specified subsection in a fiscal year, and up to 15% for NIH.
  • The bill authorizes up to $6,500 per Phase I project and up to $50,000 per Phase II project for technical and business assistance; agencies decide whether these amounts are part of or in addition to award funding.
  • Agencies must designate an existing official as the Technology Commercialization Official (the bill specifies designation of an existing official, not necessarily new hires).

Proponents' View#

The bill is written to strengthen commercialization of federally funded small business research by adding commercialization expertise to peer review, giving awardees clearer access to technical and business help, creating agency commercialization officials, supporting I‑Corps participation, tracking commercialization outcomes, and speeding patent processing for awardees.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.