Pappas Statement on Passage of Legislation to Fund Critical Small Business R&D Programs

Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) helped pass the bipartisan Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act to reauthorize the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program for five years. The SBIR and STTR programs provide competitive awards to American small businesses to conduct research and development projects that have the potential for commercialization.

“America's Seed Fund is a uniquely successful program that has helped ensure that we are leveraging the expertise and innovation of our small businesses to develop the next generation of technologies to bring to market. After over five months of a lapse in funding for these programs due to congressional inaction, I am glad that this bill to make it right has now passed the House and Senate, and is headed to the President’s desk,” said Congressman Pappas. “I have supported SBIR and STTR on a bipartisan basis with my colleagues throughout my time in Congress, because we have seen first-hand the positive impact they have on our small businesses, global competitiveness, and national security. I remain committed to supporting these programs so that small businesses have the support and stability they need, and that America continues to be a global innovation leader.”

Background: 

Pappas is a cosponsor of the SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2025 to make permanent and expand the SBIR and STTR programs. In September, Pappas spoke in favor of reauthorizing the SBIR and STTR at an event attended by New Hampshire small businesses that have taken part in these programs. That same month, he helped pass bipartisan legislation in the House to reauthorize the SBIR and STTR programs through fiscal year 2026.

In 2022, Congressman Pappas voted to pass the SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022, which reauthorized these programs through fiscal year 2025.