NIFA Seeks Public Input on Extension and Revision of SBIR/STTR Programs Lifecycle Certification

On June 22, 2026, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, an agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture, published a notice in the Federal Register signaling its intent to extend and revise a critical information collection form. This form, known as the "Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs Lifecycle Certification," is central to the agency's administration of these vital grant programs. The notice initiates a public comment period, concluding on August 21, 2026, providing an opportunity for stakeholders to influence the future management of these initiatives.

Understanding SBIR and STTR Programs

The SBIR and STTR programs at the USDA are designed to foster technological innovation and strengthen the role of small businesses in addressing federal research and development needs, particularly in agriculture. These programs award competitive grants to qualified small businesses. The overarching objectives include stimulating private sector innovation, enhancing commercialization of USDA-supported R&D, and encouraging participation from new and emerging states.

Historically, the SBIR Grants Program was authorized in 1982, followed by the STTR Grants Program in 1992. More recently, on April 14, 2026, the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act reauthorized both the SBIR and STTR programs through September 30, 2031. This reauthorization underscores the ongoing federal commitment to leveraging small business ingenuity for public benefit in the agricultural sector.

NIFA's Role and Program Structure

NIFA administers the USDA SBIR/STTR programs, overseeing the policies and procedures for grants awarded to the U.S. small business community. These programs represent a significant portion of the USDA's extramural research and development budget, specifically between 2.5 percent and 2.8 percent. For context, Phase II grants alone amounted to approximately $201 million awarded to small businesses between 1994 and 2014.

The programs are structured into three distinct phases:

• Phase I: These initial awards aim to determine the scientific and technical merit and feasibility of innovative ideas with potential for commercial application.
• Phase II: Following successful Phase I efforts, these awards support further development of work that aligns with program needs and demonstrates strong commercial potential.
• Phase III: In this final phase, commercial applications stemming from SBIR and STTR-funded research are financed by non-federal sources, or products, services, or further research intended for federal government use are funded by follow-on non-SBIR/STTR federal funding agreements.

The Lifecycle Certification Form

The focus of the current Federal Register notice is the "Lifecycle Certification" form. This document is utilized by USDA to ensure that Small Business Concerns continuously meet specific program requirements throughout the duration of their funding agreement. The form itself is based on model language provided by the Small Business Administration. The current approval for this information collection, identified by OMB Control Number 0524-0053, is set to expire on October 31, 2026. NIFA's request is for a three-year extension of this previously approved collection.

Public Comment Opportunity and Burden Estimate

NIFA is inviting comments from the public on several key aspects of this information collection. Specifically, the agency is seeking input on:

• Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions and if it possesses practical utility.
• The accuracy of the agency's estimate regarding the burden of the proposed information collection.
• Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information being collected.
• Methods to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including through the use of appropriate automated or electronic collection techniques.

Comments must be received by August 21, 2026, and can be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at regulations.gov. All comments received will be posted publicly. The estimated annual public reporting burden for this collection of information is calculated to average one hour per response. With an estimated 180 respondents each providing two annual responses, the total estimated burden hours amount to 360 hours per year. This estimate includes businesses and other for-profit entities as respondents.