Small Business Innovation Voucher Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9050
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Commerce
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-29: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-30T20:01:53Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 9050: Small Business Innovation Voucher Act of 2026
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill directs the Small Business Administration (SBA) to create a grant program that helps small businesses obtain technical help from research organizations. The goal is to support the development of new or improved products and services through partnerships, while promoting innovation, job creation, and U.S. leadership in technology.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Program Establishment: The SBA Administrator must set up the Innovation Voucher Grant Program within 180 days of the bill becoming law. Grants are awarded competitively to small businesses to cover part of the cost of buying technical assistance and services from eligible research partners.
- Eligible Partners: These include colleges and universities or nonprofit research labs and organizations in the U.S. linked to education or research.
- Grant Details: Awards range from $15,000 to $75,000 and stay available until spent. The federal government covers up to 75% of costs for grants under $50,000 and up to 50% for larger ones.
- Application and Selection: Small businesses apply jointly with a research partner. The SBA reviews applications based on the chance of creating something new, whether the project is practical, and if it could happen without the grant.
- Reporting Requirements: Grant recipients must report on project results within 180 days of completion. The SBA must issue reports to Congress every two years on program outcomes, with a final report once funding is used up.
- Funding: Up to $10 million per year is authorized for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, with no more than 5% for administrative expenses.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
This legislation creates an entirely new grant program under the SBA, with no direct amendments to prior laws. It introduces a voucher-style funding mechanism to connect small businesses with research resources, which is not currently part of SBA operations.
Potential Impacts on Government Agencies, Citizens, or International Relations
- Government Agencies: The SBA would gain new responsibilities for managing the program, including grant selection, oversight, and reporting, potentially requiring additional staff or resources.
- Citizens and Businesses: Small businesses could gain easier access to advanced research tools and expertise, leading to more innovation, new products, and job growth. Research institutions may see increased collaboration opportunities.
- International Relations: The bill emphasizes strengthening U.S. leadership in research and technology, which could indirectly support economic competitiveness but has no direct foreign policy provisions.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Small business concerns seeking to develop innovative products or services.
- Institutions of higher education and nonprofit research organizations that provide technical assistance.
- The SBA, responsible for program administration and reporting.
- Congressional committees on small business, which receive oversight reports.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The bill raises no apparent constitutional concerns, as it operates within the SBA's existing authority to support small businesses. Politically, it aligns with efforts to boost domestic innovation and economic dynamism through public-private partnerships, with built-in evaluations to ensure grants add value beyond what businesses could achieve independently.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-29: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
- 2026-05-29: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-29: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Small Business Innovation Voucher Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-29 — PDF (7 pages)