This is a “live update” post on the April 2026 SBIR/STTR Re-authorization. As new solicitations are posted this month, we will add details here, so please check back frequently.
The morning of 4/13/26, one SBIR colleage sent out an email that outlined the final stages of the SBIR Reauthorization as follows:
S3971 WAS Officially Presented to the President on April 3, 2026!
What does this mean?
1) If the President signs it, it becomes law.
2) If the President ignores it, in 10 days (not including Sundays) it becomes law on April 15 at 12AM (midnight).
3) If the President vetoes the Bill, then it goes back to Congress, and IF BOTH Chambers approve by more than 2/3, then it becomes law.
By 4:18pm (MDT), the DoD/DoW had sent out an email highlighting 115 new open and pre-release topics available on DSIP. (See the detailed email and links lower down). Clearly DoD/DoW is ready to go!
Expect shorter deadlines for the first round or rounds of SBIR/STTR solicitations.
Some other thoughts on what we may expect to see on or after 4/15/26 and official reauthorization:
- Rapid releases and short deadlines
- S3971 makes some changes to the program many of which shouldn’t impact the writing of proposals, but may change auxiliary details!
- Each agency will have to set proposal limits starting Oct 1, 2026
- Strategic Breakthrough Awards authorized up to $30M (impact still unkown – whill awards actually be that large? Maybe only for DoD/DoW? Will some agencies choose not to implement?)
- Foreign Risk requirements are updated across all agencies – this will be new for many proposing teams but more familiar to DoD/DoW applicants. Note that this may be onerous!
- TABA program will be more flexible and include more areas of work that are permitted. (email us at venturewrenchommunity [at] gmail.com if you need a TABA support letter!)
- Focus on Phase III awards and specifying enhanced training for procurement teams (I expect DoD/DoW is the key target here) to help them to better understand the process of Phase III awards, sole source ability to SBIR/STTR Awardees, and to speed transition to market.
- Once S3971 becomes law, rollout of solicitations will vary by Agency
- Expect shorter deadlines for the first round or rounds of solicitations.
- Expect Agencies to offer official statements after Reauthorization is formalDOD/DoW – already issued! Note 1 month from Open to Close!
- NIH: no official statement except April deadline not expected. Sept. 5 is next official deadline, but watch for a deadline between now and Sept.
- DOE: Organizational changes ongoing – details TBD
- NSF: Will issue new solicitation right away, plan on July deadline
- USDA: No official statements until Reauthorization
- DHS: Still not funded for FY26 so no SBIR until that is completed
- DOT: No official statements until Reauthorization
- DOC/NIST & NOAA: No official statements until Reauthorization
- EPA: No official statements until Reauthorization
- ED: No official statements until Reauthorization
Below is the email I received (emphasis added) from the DoD/DoW announcing new open and pre-release Topics on April 13, 2026. 115 topics are listed on the DSIP site. I found the most useful links to be these:
https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/
https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/submissions/
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