The USDA Small Business Innovation Research Program: Vision, challenge, and opportunities

Abstract

Bill Goldner describes the USDA’s Small Business Innovation research Program. This competitive funding program, authorized by Congress in 1982, stimulates and facilitates R&D by US-owned and -operated for-profit small businesses (<500 employees). All ex­ecutive branch departments with extramural research budgets exceeding $100 million are directed by legislation to provide a 2.5% set-aside to fund SBIR.