AAU, joined by ACE, APLU, AAMC, and AUTM, sent a letter in support the passage of H.R. 5100, which would extend the SBIR/STTR program and protect it from lapsing on September 30.
Dear Chairman Williams and Ranking Member Velázquez,
On behalf of the Association of American Universities (AAU), Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), American Council on Education (ACE) and AUTM, we write to thank you for introducing H.R. 5100 and to commend the committee’s 27-0 favorable vote last week advancing this important legislation.
Extending the SBIR and STTR programs before their scheduled expiration on September 30th is essential to sustaining the strength and prosperity of America’s innovation enterprise. H.R. 5100 provides a critical one-year extension, ensuring continuity for researchers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses that rely on these programs to advance research discoveries and U.S. competitiveness.
With SBIR and STTR set to expire soon, immediate action is necessary to safeguard these critical programs. We recognize that there are opportunities to strengthen and improve the programs over time, and the university community stands ready to serve as a constructive partner in that process. At the same time, enacting this extension now prevents the disruption and unintended harm that abrupt program changes would cause across the innovation enterprise. This extension allows the SBIR and STTR programs to continue to thrive and push innovation and U.S. competitiveness forward.
The undersigned associations strongly support H.R. 5100 as a necessary step to safeguard U.S. innovation capacity and to allow for thoughtful consideration of future reforms and improvements. We thank you again for your leadership and urge your colleagues in both the House and Senate to join you in swiftly advancing this legislation.
Respectfully,
Association of American Universities (AAU)
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU)
American Council on Education (ACE)
AUTM
cc:
Members, House Committee on Small Business
Chair Joni Ernst & Ranking Member Ed Markey, Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship
Members, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology