Small Business Innovation Subject of House Hearing

On March 2, the House Small Business Committee held a hearing, “Commercializing on Innovation: Reauthorizing the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs (STTR).” The hearing highlighted federal agency efforts to administer and improve the SBIR and STTR programs, which are designed to increase federal funding of small businesses that focus on technology and innovation.

Matthew Portnoy, PhD, director, Division of Special Programs, Office of Extramural Programs, and SBIR/STTR Program Manager, National Institutes of Health (NIH), noted that NIH has “bolstered and diversified our SBIR/STTR outreach efforts the past several years with the intention of further diversifying the SBIR/STTR programs.” He noted that such efforts include “outreach to more than 940 women-owned small businesses.

The following witnesses also testified:

• John Williams, director, Innovation and Technology, Office of Investment and Innovation, Small Business Administration;
• Barry Johnson, PhD, division director, Industrial Innovation & Partnerships, National Science Foundation; and
• Robert Smith, director, SBIR/STTR Programs, Office of Naval Research.