The SBIR and STTR programs fund a diverse portfolio of startups and small businesses across technology areas and markets to stimulate technological innovation, meet federal R&D needs, and increase commercialization to transition R&D into impact. The programs were last reauthorized by the SBIR/STTR Extension Act of 2022. While this legislation was successful in preventing a lapse, the SBIR and STTR programs will likely face the same challenges to reauthorization in this Congress. More must be done to ensure the long-term stability and viability of these programs and sustain a strong small business presence across the federal government’s various programs targeting small research and development (R&D) companies.