SBIR and STTR Discretionary Technical and Business Assistance Policy Update
Summary
The NIH has updated its Technical and Business Assistance (TABA) policy for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) recipients. The updated policy, enacted pursuant to the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act signed April 13, 2026, establishes new funding caps of $6,500 per Phase I project and $50,000 per Phase II project. Recipients must include TABA requests in their applications via the B.440 SBIR/STTR Information Form and label costs as 'Technical Assistance' on direct cost lines with detailed budget justifications.
“SBIR and STTR recipients are allowed to request and receive up to $6,500 per Phase I project (across all years) and $50,000 per Phase II project (across all years) to meet the goals of TABA.”
Small businesses currently holding SBIR or STTR awards who anticipate needing technical or business assistance should consider whether a TABA supplement request via PA-26-001 is appropriate before needs arise, given that NIH Institutes and Centers retain discretion to decline requests for budgetary, administrative, or programmatic reasons. Applicants preparing new submissions should ensure Form B.440 reflects any TABA request and that Budget Justification sections name vendors (if applicable) and describe expected benefits.
What changed
The NIH has amended its Technical and Business Assistance (TABA) policy for SBIR and STTR programs following enactment of the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act. The key changes establish new maximum funding levels ($6,500 per Phase I project across all years and $50,000 per Phase II project across all years), clarify allowable activities (product sales assistance, IP protections, cybersecurity, market research, regulatory plan development, manufacturing plans, technical/business literature access, NIH I-Corps participation), and enumerate prohibited uses (SBIR/STTR fee contributions, audit services, bookkeeping, and patent costs beyond NIH-funded program limits). TABA funds cannot be added to Commercialization Readiness Pilot Program awards.
SBIR and STTR applicants and current recipients should review these updated requirements when preparing applications or considering post-award supplement requests. Applications must include TABA requests on the B.440 SBIR/STTR Information Form and label costs as 'Technical Assistance' with budget justifications. Recipients may also request TABA funds via Administrative Supplement (PA-26-001) if needs arise after award, subject to NIH Institute or Center approval.
Archived snapshot
Apr 20, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Notice of Information: Policy changes to SBIR and STTR Discretionary Technical and Business Assistance Notice Number: NOT-OD-26-075
Key Dates
Release Date: April 20, 2026
Related Announcements
- March 27, 2024 - Notice of Information - Technical and Business Assistance (TABA) Funding May be Added to an SBIR/STTR Award by Administrative Supplement. See Notice NOT-OD-24-077.
Issued by
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH)
Purpose
The purpose of this notice is to inform HHS Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) recipients and applicants of the change in policy around discretionary technical and business assistance. This policy serves as an update to the NIH Application Guide and will be incorporated in an updated publication.
Background
The Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act (the Act), signed into law by President Trump on April 13, 2026, reauthorized the SBIR, STTR and related pilot programs through September 30, 2031, including discretionary technical and business assistance (TABA). The statutory purpose of TABA is to assist SBIR and STTR recipients in making better technical decisions, solving technical problems, minimizing technical risks, developing and commercializing new commercial products and processes (including intellectual property protections), and screening for potential foreign involvement in technology development or commercial activities.
Applicability
This policy applies all SBIR and STTR awards and supplements to existing awards made on or after April 13, 2026.
Policy
SBIR and STTR recipients are allowed to request and receive up to $6,500 per Phase I project (across all years) and $50,000 per Phase II project (across all years) to meet the goals of TABA. A small business may, by contract or otherwise:
(A) Select one or more vendors to assist the small business
(B) Hire new staff, augment staff, or direct staff to conduct or participate in training activities
Activities that can be supported by TABA funding include, but are not limited to:
- Assistance with product sales
- Intellectual property protections
- Cybersecurity assistance
- Market research and/or validation
- Development of regulatory plans
- Development of manufacturing plans
- Access to technical and business literature available through on-line databases
Participation in NIH I-Corps
TABA Funding cannot support:Contributions to the SBIR/STTR fee
Audit services
Bookkeeping services, including payroll management or general accounting services
Patent costs above and beyond those outlined for the NIH-funded program
TABA funding is not available to Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) Program recipients.
To access technical and business assistance (TABA) funds, small business concerns are required to include the request in the application. Small business concerns should:
- Indicate the application includes a request of SBIR or STTR funds for Technical and Business Assistance (TABA) on the B.440 SBIR/STTR Information Form.
- Label the requested costs Technical Assistance on one of the other direct cost lines (8-17).
- Include in the Budget Justification a detailed description of the technical or business assistance, including the name of the vendor if applicable, and the expected benefits and results of the technical or business assistance provided. SBIR and STTR recipients may become aware of technical or business needs after award that necessitate requesting TABA funds through an Administrative Supplement. Recipients may include TABA funds as part of a supplement request through PA-26-001 - Administrative Supplements to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Parent Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional) and subsequent reissues. Recipients should follow instructions in the How To Apply – Application Guide to include and justify TABA funds in the R&R Budget Form, and otherwise follow the administrative supplement NOFO instructions.
Please note: NIH Institutes and Centers may decline a TABA supplement request for budgetary, administrative, or programmatic reasons, and some may have additional requirements. Consult with the NIH grants management officer and program official assigned to your award before submitting a request.
Inquiries
Please direct all inquiries to:
SEED (Small business Education and Entrepreneurial Development)
Office of Extramural Research
[email protected]
Weekly TOC for this Announcement
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS) NIH... Turning Discovery Into Health ®
Named provisions
Related changes
Get daily alerts for NIH Guide Funding Opportunities
Daily digest delivered to your inbox.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Source
About this page
Every important government, regulator, and court update from around the world. One place. Real-time. Free. Our mission
Source document text, dates, docket IDs, and authority are extracted directly from NIH.
The summary, classification, recommended actions, deadlines, and penalty information are AI-generated from the original text and may contain errors. Always verify against the source document.
Classification
Who this affects
Taxonomy
Browse Categories
Get alerts for this source
We'll email you when NIH Guide Funding Opportunities publishes new changes.
Subscribed!
Optional. Filters your digest to exactly the updates that matter to you.