This bill mandates the establishment of an Innovation Voucher Grant Program by the Small Business Administration Administrator within 180 days of enactment. The program's core purpose is to award competitive grants to small business concerns , enabling them to cover a federal share of costs for technical assistance and services. These services must be purchased from eligible entities , such as institutions of higher education or nonprofit research labs, to advance the research, development, or commercialization of new or innovative products and services. The program aims to foster collaboration between small businesses and research institutions, facilitate access to capital-intensive infrastructure, and provide crucial technical expertise. Grants will range from $15,000 to $75,000 , with the federal share covering up to 75% for smaller grants and 50% for larger ones. Applications will be evaluated based on the novelty and feasibility of the proposed product or service and the necessity of the grant. The bill authorizes $10,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to fund the program, with a small percentage allocated for administrative costs.
This bill mandates the establishment of an Innovation Voucher Grant Program by the Small Business Administration Administrator within 180 days of enactment. The program's core purpose is to award competitive grants to small business concerns , enabling them to cover a federal share of costs for technical assistance and services. These services must be purchased from eligible entities , such as institutions of higher education or nonprofit research labs, to advance the research, development, or commercialization of new or innovative products and services. The program aims to foster collaboration between small businesses and research institutions, facilitate access to capital-intensive infrastructure, and provide crucial technical expertise. Grants will range from $15,000 to $75,000 , with the federal share covering up to 75% for smaller grants and 50% for larger ones. Applications will be evaluated based on the novelty and feasibility of the proposed product or service and the necessity of the grant. The bill authorizes $10,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to fund the program, with a small percentage allocated for administrative costs.