SBIR/STTR Application Assistance Act

Section 9(mm)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(mm)(1)) is amended—

(1) in subparagraph (J), by striking and at the end;

(2) in subparagraph (K), by striking the period at the end and inserting; and; and

(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(L) providing small business concerns with assistance applying to the SBIR program or STTR program of the Federal agency, including providing such assistance to carry out the policy directive required under paragraphs (2)(F) or (5) of subsection (j) and subsection (p)(2)(H) to increase the participation of States with respect to which a low level of SBIR or STTR awards have historically been awarded.

Section 9(j) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(j)), is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this paragraph, the Administration shall modify the policy directives issued pursuant to this subsection to require enhanced outreach efforts to increase the participation of individuals conducting research at minority institutions (as defined in section 365 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067k)) and Hispanic-serving institutions (as defined in section 502(a) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1101a(a))) in SBIR programs.

Section 9(p)(2) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(p)(2)) is amended—

(A) in subparagraph (F), by striking and at the end;

(B) in subparagraph (G)(iii), by striking the period at the end and inserting; and; and

(C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(H) procedures for outreach efforts to increase the participation of individuals conducting research at minority institutions (as defined in section 365 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067k)) and Hispanic-serving institutions (as defined in section 16 502(a) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1101a(a))) in STTR programs.