Congress should focus the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) programs on the highest-impact opportunities with the greatest potential to be commercialized.

To Do: Focus the SBIR and STTR Programs on the Highest-Impact Opportunities

Congress should allocate a share of federal research funding to promote technology transfer and commercialization, such as through a “Spurring Commercialization of Our Nation’s Research” program.

Partly Done: Allocate a Share of Federal Research Funding to Tech Transfer and Commercialization

In testimony before the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, Stephen Ezell highlighted the successes of federal small business programs directed toward innovation research and technology transfer and argued there is much more to be done to promote technology transfer and commercialization.

Testimony Before the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee on Reauthorizing SBA’s Innovation Programs

This panel discussion will investigate the reforms that are needed to advance SBIR/STTR and boost commercialization through small businesses.

Enhancing Technology Commercialization through SBIR/STTR Reform

Congress should fund a pilot program supporting experimental approaches to technology transfer and commercialization, and the administration should require labs to collect metrics, identify barriers, and hold labs accountable. 

To Do: Support Experimental Approaches to Tech Transfer and Commercialization

Congress should introduce an Open Commercialization Infrastructure Act that permits private use of bonded facilities for certain activities related to entrepreneurial education and training as well as for economic development and job creation.

To Do: Introduce an Open Commercialization Infrastructure Act

Congress should develop a proof-of-concept, or “Phase Zero,” individual and institutional grant award program within major federal research agencies to push nascent technologies to the point where companies can receive SBIR or STTR grants.

To Do: Develop a “Phase Zero” Grant Program

To Do: Develop a "Phase Zero" Grant Program

The administration should expand the National Science Foundation’s I-Corps program, which fosters entrepreneurship that can lead to the commercialization of technology that has been supported previously through NSF-funded research.

To Do: Expand NSF’s I-Corps Program

To Do: Expand NSF's I-Corps Program

Congress should support rural innovation by creating a nationwide network of rural innovation institutes in sectors such as aquaculture, agriculture, wind and water energy, mining, and timber.

To Do: Allow More SBIR and STTR Awards to Be Used for Commercialization

Recommendation

Details

Editors’ Recommendations

Localizing the Economic Impact of Research and Development: Policy Proposals for the Trump Administration and Congress

Related

To Do: Focus the SBIR and STTR Programs on the Highest-Impact Opportunities

Partly Done: Allocate a Share of Federal Research Funding to Tech Transfer and Commercialization

Testimony Before the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee on Reauthorizing SBA’s Innovation Programs