THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES OF SCIENCES, ENGINEERING, AND MEDICINE
Center for Health, People, and Places
Social and Economic Systems
Committee on the Review of the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs at NASA
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Congressional Briefings
Tuesday, June 16, 2026 – 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
via Zoom
on
Review of the SBIR and STTR Programs at NASA
Requested by Congress in P.L. 112-81, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, this review of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs at NASA finds that the SBIR/STTR programs advance mission-aligned technologies engage small businesses in NASA's innovation ecosystem, and support early- and intermediate-stage technology development. While the commercial space sector presents new opportunities and challenges, NASA's SBIR/STTR programs play a critical complementary role in its growth by supporting the development of technologies and specialized suppliers that contribute to both NASA missions and emerging commercial applications.
The report emphasizes the importance of maintaining NASA's recent organizational improvements, streamlining application processes, and improving pathways for the commercialization of NASA SBIR/STTR-supported technologies. It also highlights the value of NASA's Technology Portfolio Management System, or TechPort, for tracking technology readiness and recommends strengthening data systems to better assess program outcomes, research partnerships, and long-term impacts.
These briefings were for members of Congress and congressional staff only. The report was publicly released on June 18, 2026 and can be found, in its entirety, on the Web site of the National Academies Press.