Proposed changes to a $2 billion federal program designed to bolster research and development at U.S. small businesses could land a significant portion of the funding in the hands of large and foreign-owned companies. Connecticut small businesses are worried about the U.S. Small Business Administration's interpretation of a congressional bill passed in December reauthorizing the Small Business Innovation Research program. In writing the regulations following SBIR reauthorization, SBA created a new type of entity eligible for the program called a domestic business concern. This new entity must be organized in the U.S. and operate in this country, but doesn't have to be owned by American citizens. The proposed SBA rules also leave the door open for large domestic businesses to seize SBIR grants, as long as the grants go to affiliates or small businesses only partially owned by large companies.
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