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SBIR/STTR Programs Are Finally Reauthorized!

On April 13, 2026 President Trump signed into law the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act. Unlike other reauthorizations which typically last for three years, this extends both programs and associated pilot programs for 5 years until September 30, 2031. Associated pilot programs include the Phase 0 Pilot Program, the Commercialization Readiness Programs, and others.

Although everyone can express a sigh of relief, it is important to keep in mind that it will take time to re-establish a timeline for the release of new solicitations across all of the participating agencies.  It is anticipated that the Department of War and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration will be among the first to release new solicitations. However, for those agencies which have experienced considerable change in their mission and/or staffing, it may take several months to release new solicitations.

Meantime, companies are encouraged to learn about the positive impact of new additions which reauthorization introduces including (1) Strategic Breakthrough Awards by which larger agencies can provide companies up to $30M post Phase II funding over a four year period, assuming companies have outside matching funds, (2) the requirement of Technical and Business Assistance (TABA) to be provided by all agencies and which will allow company staff, as well as external consultants to conduct TABA activities. In addition, I-Corps training can be paid for using TABA funds; and (3) a new emphasis on Phase III awards for companies working with contracting agencies.

Other changes with which small businesses should become familiar are Foreign Influence disclosures and annual proposal limits, which will vary by Agency.

References:

Locke Bell et al, “SBIR/STTR Programs Revived with Some Notable Changes,” March 6, 2026

GAO, “Small Business Research Programs: Additional Actions Needed to Incorporate Best Practices for Addressing Foreign Risk,” Jan 28, 2026

“SBIR/STTR Agency Restart Timeline: When Each Agency will Reopen Solicitations,” March 28, 2026

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Fusion Energy Overview

Fusion is a potential energy source and occurs when one or more lighter elements combine to form a heavier element, releasing energy in the process. [1] Devices designed to harness this energy are known as fusion reactors. [2]   A future fusion plant could use the heat produced by the fusion reaction to produce steam to drive turbines or generators that produce electricity. [3] For almost a century, scientists around the globe have been looking to recreate and harness the power of fusion energy. [4]  

Tokamak
Source: ITER

There are two commonly pursued technologies to create and control plasma. Magnetic confinement uses strong magnets to contain plasma. A widely used configuration known as a tokamak[5] uses powerful magnets to confine the plasma within a toroidal reaction vessel, with the magnetic fields keeping the plasma away from the walls of the vessel to prevent damage and unintended cooling of the plasma.[6]  

Examples of U.S. companies developing magnetic confinement systems are Commonwealth Fusion Systems, TAE Technologies, Tokamak Energy, Helion Energy, and Thea Energy. Inertial confinement uses high-power lasers or electrical discharges to compress a small capsule of fusion fuel to extreme temperatures and pressures for a short time. This approach is used, for example, in the National Ignition Facility at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. [7] Examples of U.S. companies developing inertial confinement systems are Xcimer Energy, Focused Energy, ZAP Energy, and Shine Technologies. In addition to these methods, several companies such as General Fusion,  are pursuing various other pathways to try to create and control fusion reactions, including a hybrid of both magnetic and inertial confinement approaches. [8]

Various fusion fuels are used to power these pursued pathways. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, once developed, first-generation fusion plants may likely use a combination of abundant deuterium and lithium as fuel. [9] Deuterium, lithium and tritium Deuterium-tritium is a highly studied fusion fuel and a likely basis for the first fusion power plants.[10] Lithium is a critical resource for fusion because of its material properties. Lithium is used to breed tritium, the key fuel for fusion. [11] The rare lithium-6 form of the metal, which makes up only 7.5 per cent of all naturally occurring lithium, is the most efficient for sustaining the fusion process. [12] Li-6 is banned in the U.S. because of the harmful mercury waste it generates. [13] So most fusion power concepts rely on “enriched” lithium, where the Li-6 content has been boosted. [14]

Several companies are investing in efforts aimed at commercializing fusion energy. [15] Many of these companies are startups that have raised over $100 million in the past few years. [16]  The global fusion energy market size is projected to reach $611.8 billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 5.56% from 2025 to 2034. [17] 

Current State - Projections of the time to putting Fusion Energy on the Grid

As of October 2025, fusion reactors remain pre-commercial, with no system yet producing net energy. Fusion energy stakeholders provide varying timelines as to when fusion energy will become technically feasible as an energy source for the electrical grid and when it will become commercially viable.  Projections range from 10 years to several decades in the future. [18]   Some companies are claiming that they will achieve commercial fusion energy in the next few years[19] while other stakeholders and experts said fusion energy will take more than 20 years. The Fusion Industry Association reported that many commercial companies predict fusion industry will be commercially viable in the 2030’s time frame. [19] 

Source: The Global Fusion Industry in 2025—Fusion Industry Association

Other stakeholders and experts believe fusion energy might put electricity on the grid in 10 to 20 years, however, significant resources are required to do so.[20] The Figure below illustrates commercialization risks that fusion energy will face on the road to commercial deployment. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the aspirational timeline as shown is strongly dependent on the level of both public and private investments. [21]

Commercialization risks for fusion

Source. U.S. Department of Energy, Fusion Energy Strategy 2024

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