SBIR Blog

Insights, guides, and updates on SBIR/STTR funding.

S. 3971 Signed Into Law — SBIR/STTR Reauthorized Through 2031

President Trump signed S. 3971 into law on April 13, 2026, reauthorizing SBIR and STTR programs through September 30, 2031. Federal agencies are preparing to publish new solicitations — DoD expected first, NIH and NSF in late April through May.

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Recent Posts

GuideMarch 30, 2026

Strategic Breakthrough Awards: SBIR’s New $30 Million Funding Pathway Explained

Complete guide to the new Strategic Breakthrough Awards created by S. 3971. Eligibility requirements, 100% matching funds, 48-month timeline, and how to prepare.

NewsMarch 28, 2026

SBIR/STTR Agency Restart Timeline: When Each Agency Will Reopen Solicitations in 2026

Agency-by-agency breakdown of when SBIR/STTR solicitations will reopen. Expected timelines for DoW, NIH, NSF, DOE, NASA, USDA, and more.

NewsMarch 26, 2026

SBIR/STTR Reauthorization 2026: Congress Passes S. 3971 — What Happens Next

Both chambers of Congress have passed the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act. Full analysis of the final legislation.

AnalysisMarch 16, 2026

SBIR Grant Writing Services Compared: Pricing, AI Usage, and Success Rates (2026)

Ranked comparison of 11 SBIR grant writing providers — pricing models, verifiable success rates, AI usage policies, and writer qualifications.

NewsMarch 16, 2026

SBIR/STTR Reauthorization 2026: Key Provisions of the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act

Full analysis of S. 3971: Strategic Breakthrough Awards up to $30M, proposal caps, and enhanced security requirements explained.

AnalysisMarch 10, 2026

Why AI-Generated SBIR Proposals Are Failing: What 350+ Federal Reviewers Told Us

Our study of 350+ NSF, NIH, and DoD reviewers reveals why AI-generated proposals fail and how reviewers identify them.

SampleMarch 6, 2026

NIH Summary Statement: Impact Score 23 — What a Strong Application Looks Like

Annotated walkthrough of a strong NIH SBIR summary statement. Downloadable sample PDF with redacted names.

SampleFebruary 27, 2026

NIH Summary Statement: Impact Score 33 — Competitive But Unfunded

Annotated walkthrough of a mid-range summary statement with a split vote. Downloadable sample PDF included.

SampleFebruary 20, 2026

NIH Summary Statement: Impact Score 45 — Potential But Major Gaps

Below-payline summary statement walkthrough. How team gaps, insufficient data, and missing regulatory strategy affect scores.

SampleFebruary 13, 2026

NIH Summary Statement: Impact Score 55 — Understanding a Low Score

Low-scoring summary statement walkthrough. Team-science mismatch, missing components, and undifferentiated innovation.

GuideFebruary 6, 2026

How to Read Your NIH SBIR Summary Statement: A Complete Guide

Understanding impact scores, criterion scores, reviewer critiques, and how to turn feedback into a funded resubmission.

GuideJanuary 27, 2026

NIH SBIR Resubmission Strategy: How to Turn a Rejection Into Funding

The majority of successful NIH-funded projects required at least one resubmission. Learn how to use reviewer feedback effectively.

GuideJanuary 16, 2026

How to Write a Winning NSF SBIR Project Pitch

The NSF Project Pitch is a required first step for any NSF SBIR Phase I application. This two-page document determines your invitation to submit.

NewsJanuary 8, 2026

SBIR/STTR in 2026: Reauthorization, AI Risks, and What Applicants Need to Know

Program reauthorization uncertainty, agency-level policy changes, and evolving attitudes toward AI-generated proposals.