Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act

Senate Bill

S. 3971

119th Congress

Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act

Held at the desk.

Introduced:Mar 4, 2026

Primary Sponsor

Joni Ernst

R - IA

Cosponsors

0

Quick Stats

Summary

This bill extends two federal programs—SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) and STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer)—that provide critical funding to small businesses and startups working on cutting-edge research and technology. These programs help turn scientific discoveries into real-world products and services by connecting small companies with federal research dollars and academic institutions.

Latest Action

Held at the desk.

Introduced3/4/2026

StatusHeld at the desk.

ChamberSenate

Data from Congress.gov

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Vote Prediction

Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act

This bill extends two federal programs—SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) and STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer)—that provide critical funding to small businesses and startups working on cutting-edge research and technology. These programs help t

Community Breakdown

Pass

0%

Fail

0%

0 predictions

This bill extends two federal programs—SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) and STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer)—that provide critical funding to small businesses and startups working on cutting-edge research and technology. These programs help turn scientific discoveries into real-world products and services by connecting small companies with federal research dollars and academic institutions.

Bill Number: 3971
Introduced: 3/4/2026
Status: Held at the desk.

Data from Congress.gov

AI-generated summary

Fact Sheet

Title: Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act
Bill Number: 3971
Sponsor: No sponsor
Status: Held at the desk.
Introduced: 3/4/2026
Summary: This bill extends two federal programs—SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) and STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer)—that provide critical funding to small businesses and startups working on cutting-edge research and technology. These programs help turn scientific discoveries into real-wor

Data from Congress.gov

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill extends two federal programs—SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) and STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer)—that provide critical funding to small businesses and startups working on cutting-edge research and technology. These programs help turn scientific discoveries into real-world products and services by connecting small companies with federal research dollars and academic institutions.

Last updated: 3/5/2026

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Continues funding for small businesses developing innovative technologies in fields like healthcare, defense, energy, and information technology
Supports the SBIR program, which sets aside a portion of federal research budgets specifically for small businesses to compete for grants and contracts
Maintains the STTR program, which facilitates partnerships between small businesses and nonprofit research institutions like universities
Helps keep American small businesses competitive in developing next-generation technologies and creating high-skilled jobs

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Small business owners, entrepreneurs, and startup founders working on research-intensive projects would directly benefit from continued access to federal funding opportunities. The extension also impacts university researchers who partner with small companies, and communities where these innovative businesses create jobs. Without this extension, thousands of small businesses could lose access to crucial early-stage funding needed to bring new technologies to market.

Policy Areas

No policy areas assigned yet.

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

3971, 119th Congress (2026). "Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/119-s-3971

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