The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program was originally established in 1982 by the Small Business

Innovation Development Act (P.L. 97-219), codified at 15 U.S.C. § 638. It was then expanded and extended by the

Small Business Research and Development Enhancement Act of 1992 (P.L. 102-564) and received subsequent

reauthorization and extensions, the most recent of which extends the SBIR program through 2025. (P.L.

117-183).

Each Federal agency with an extramural budget for Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) in excess of

$100,000,000 must participate in the SBIR program and spend (obligate) a minimum percentage of their

extramural R/R&D budgets (obligations) of not less than 3.2% of such budget in fiscal year 2017 and for the

percentage required by statute for each fiscal year after for awards to small business concerns (SBCs) for R/R&D

under the SBIR program. The objectives of the SBIR program are to: stimulate technological innovation in the

private sector; strengthen the role of small business in meeting Federal R&D needs; foster and encourage

participation by businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged persons and women-owned SBCs

in technological innovation; and increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from federal

R&D funding.

Fostering diversity by encouraging the participation of individuals from nationally underrepresented groups in

the scientific research workforce is a longstanding interest of Congress, and a key component of NOAA’s

commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (e.g., Public Law 114-329, American Innovation and

Competitiveness Act of 2017, and https://techpartnerships.noaa.gov/abouttpo/dei-statement/). Increasing

participation by socially and economically disadvantaged and women-owned small businesses is critical to the

success of the SBIR program.