Reauthorization of Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer Programs

April 20, 2026 |

Following President Donald J. Trump signing into law the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act (S. 3971), the War Department is immediately advancing with a redesigned and more focused initiative to accelerate the delivery of advanced capabilities to the warfighter. The act reauthorizes the vital Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, strengthening America's lethal Arsenal of Freedom.

The reauthorization allows the Department to relaunch its SBIR/STTR enterprise with a more unified and accountable mission. This effort aligns directly with Secretary Hegseth's mandate to transform the defense innovation ecosystem by prioritizing the fielding of critical capabilities at scale. The SBIR/STTR program has been structurally redesigned to deliver across the Department's three innovation outcomes: differentiated technology, scalable products, and operational capability innovation. The Department will drive this innovation by leveraging American small businesses and academic expertise to deliver innovative technology to the warfighter and grow the defense industrial base through commercialization. The Department will continue to work in lockstep with the Small Business Administration to empower the nation's most innovative small businesses to deliver tangible capabilities to the joint force.

"The reauthorization of SBIR and STTR will allow the War Department to quickly align its innovation investments directly with our most urgent warfighting needs," said Emil Michael, Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering. "We are supercharging American small businesses to become a critical part of our national defense. They will ensure our warfighters maintain a decisive battlefield advantage for years to come."

The Office for Small Business Innovation has revamped its commitment to technology transition through the newly established Accelerated Research for Transition (ART) Program. ART offers multiple pathways for the Department to capitalize on SBIR/STTR innovation through additional non-dilutive capital investment to transition warfighter capabilities from development to production, operation, and sustainment.

"We are laser-focused on rebuilding military lethality and reestablishing deterrence," said Joseph Jewell, Ph.D., Assistant Secretary of War for Science and Technology. "The reauthorization of the SBIR and STTR programs, enhanced by our new Accelerated Research for Transition (ART) Program, is a critical engine for this effort. American small business ingenuity is essential to delivering superior technology that sharpens our warfighters' edge and reinforces their warrior spirit."

For decades, the SBIR and STTR programs have been a cornerstone of defense innovation, allocating billions of dollars in research and development awards to thousands of American small business innovators. In line with this relaunch, War Department SBIR/STTR investments will map directly to the Department's newly designated critical technology areas.

"Reauthorization of the SBIR/STTR program ensures we can continue delivering critical technologies to the warfighter, responsibly invest taxpayer dollars, and empower U.S. small businesses to drive innovation that strengthens our national security," said Gina Sims, Director of the Department of War Office for Small Business Innovation.

Immediately after reauthorization, the Department issued multiple SBIR/STTR solicitations, including over 90 topics seeking innovative capabilities from industry. Small businesses are encouraged to visit the Department of War SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP) for details on open solicitations and proposal timelines.