Bureaucracy Extends Paperwork for Small Business Grants
Published Date: 6/23/2026
Notice
Summary
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) plans to keep and update its paperwork for small businesses applying for SBIR and STTR funding. This affects small businesses that get these grants, with some changes to the forms they fill out. Comments on these updates are open until August 24, 2026, and the extension will last three more years, helping keep the process smooth and clear.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
SBIR/STTR Program Reauthorization Through 2031
The notice states that the Small Business Innovation and Technology Transfer programs were reauthorized in 2026 through September 30, 2031. That reauthorization preserves the availability of USDA SBIR/STTR grants through that date.
Three-Year Extension of SBIR/STTR Forms
NIFA intends to extend and revise its approved information collection for SBIR and STTR Funding Agreement Certifications for three years. Comments on the proposed updates must be received by August 24, 2026, and the current OMB approval expires on 2026-09-30 (OMB Control Number 0524-0052).
Extra Certification for VC/PE-Owned Firms
Applicants that are majority-owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity firms must submit an additional eight-question certification form prior to submitting an application. This is required in addition to the standard SBIR/STTR Funding Agreement Certification.
Post-Award Certification and Update Requirement
NIFA requires all SBIR and STTR grantees to submit an SBIR/STTR Funding Agreement Certification after NIFA notifies them of an award, and to update the certification whenever changes in the small business concern affect the certification's contents. The forms are required for Phase I and Phase II awardees.
Paperwork Burden Estimate (Hours)
NIFA estimates 180 respondents with one annual response each, an average completion time of 1 hour per response, and total burden hours of 180. These estimates apply to Phase I and Phase II awardees who must complete and update the forms.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-12477 — Notice of Intent To Revise a Currently Approved Information Collection
The USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture is updating the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program forms and moving the application process online to make things smoother. This affects vets applying for loan help and means changes to how info is collected and stored. If you want to share your thoughts, send comments by August 21, 2026—no cost changes, just a tech and form refresh!
2026-12478 — Notice of Intent To Extend and Revise a Previously Approved Information Collection
The USDA’s Small Business Innovation Research program is extending and updating its info collection for three more years to keep supporting small businesses with cool agricultural tech ideas. If you’re a small business involved in this program, you might see some changes in the paperwork. Make sure to share your thoughts by August 21, 2026, so your voice counts!
2025-13207 — Notice of Intent To Extend and Revise a Currently Approved Information Collection
NIFA plans to extend and update the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program forms, helping vets who repay student loans. This means some questions might change, but the goal stays the same: supporting vets in rural areas. The update won’t cost extra but will keep the program running smoothly for a few more years.
2026-01195 — Notice of Intent To Extend and Revise a Previously Approved Information Collection
The USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture plans to extend and update the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program’s data collection for three more years. This affects educators and volunteers teaching nutrition to families with limited money across all 50 states and territories. They’re asking for public comments by March 23, 2026, to help improve how they track and boost the program’s impact.
2025-12606 — Notice of Intent To Extend and Revise a Previously Approved Information Collection
NIFA is planning to extend and update its Application Kit form that farmers, researchers, and organizations use to apply for grants. These changes aim to make the process smoother and keep everything up to date, with no extra costs expected. If you use this form, get ready for some helpful tweaks coming soon!
2025-12689 — Notice of Intent To Extend and Revise Previously Approved Information Collection
NIFA is planning to keep and update its Proposal Review Process form that folks use to submit and review grant proposals. This affects researchers and organizations applying for NIFA grants, with some changes to make the process smoother and clearer. The update won’t cost extra but will keep things running on schedule.