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Congress·Passed Both·S. 3971

Congress Extends Small Business Tech Grants Through 2031 with New $30 Million Breakthrough Awards

Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act

View on Congress.gov·Read full text
Part of: Congress Proposes Extending and Reforming SBIR/STTR Programs Through 2030

Legislative Progress

✓ Senate
✓ House
President
Law

Key Points

  • This bill keeps two major programs running until September 30, 2031. These programs give federal money to small businesses to help them research and develop new technologies that the government might need, such as advanced medical tools or defense equipment.
  • To protect American secrets, the bill requires agencies to check if a small business has risky ties to foreign countries, especially those on specific watch lists related to the Chinese military. If a business is found to be a security risk, the government can deny their application for funding.
  • A new Strategic Breakthrough fund will offer much larger awards—up to $30 million—for projects that could lead to major technological leaps. To get this money, businesses must show they have matching funds from private investors or other government sources to prove the project is a solid investment.
  • The bill tries to cut down on paperwork by limiting how many proposals a single business can submit each year. It also requires better training for government workers so they know how to actually buy and use the finished products from these small businesses once the research is done.
  • Small businesses will get more help with things like cybersecurity and protecting their inventions. The bill increases the amount of money available for these support services to $6,500 for early-stage projects and $50,000 for more advanced research.
Economy FinanceNational Security Foreign PolicyTechnology Digital

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

4 milestones16 actions
Mar 17, 2026House

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Mar 17, 2026House

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 345 - 41 (Roll no. 89).

Mar 17, 2026

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 345 - 41 (Roll no. 89).

Mar 17, 2026House

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2545-2546)

Mar 16, 2026House

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Late 2026 to early 2027

Strategic breakthrough awards of up to $30 million become available to qualifying small businesses

Small businesses that have already won Phase II grants and can match federal funds with private investment or other government money can compete for much larger awards to scale up promising technologies

Vote Results

1 vote
HousePassedProceduralMar 17, 2026

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

345
41
Democrat
192 – 1 · 21
Republican
153 – 40 · 24
View full roll call

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act

Bill NumberS 3971
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Read Full Bill Text

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(1)
D: 1

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.