Congress Approves Temporary Extension of SBIR Program

The House of Representatives and Senate have both passed legislation that would temporarily extend the Small Business Innovation and Research program through April 30, 2010. Both the House and Senate passed the extension by an overwhelming majority. Congress has attempted to reauthorize the program for several years. However, fundamental policy differences have led to temporarily reauthorizations to continue funding the programs. 

 

In 2003, the Small Business Administration implemented a rule change which restricted eligibility to non-venture capital majority owned firms. Since that time, the number of innovative medical technology companies applying for grants has significantly decreased. MDMA has advocated for a repeal of this rule so that medical device companies with majority venture-ownership to once again compete for SBIR grants.