SMALL BUSINESS RESEARCH PROGRAMS

Agencies Need to Take Steps to Assess Progress Toward Commercializing Technologies

Through the SBIR and STTR programs, federal agencies have awarded about 162,000 contracts and grants totaling $46 billion to small businesses to help them develop and commercialize new technologies. Eleven federal agencies participate in the SBIR program, and 5 agencies also participate in the STTR program. Each program has three phases, which take projects from initial feasibility studies through commercialization activities. SBA oversees both programs...