Frequently Asked Questions

SBIR/STTR Data are protected from disclosure by the participating agencies for a period of not less than 20 years with the protection period beginning at the time of the Phase I, II, or III award.

The SBC awardee owns, and has full right and title to, the data it develops under an SBIR award.  For an STTR award, the SBC and research institution must, prior to award, sign an intellectual property agreement identifying the sharing of rights to data.

The Government has rights to certain limited use of the data, primarily for evaluation of the results of the award.  While some agencies use the data only for evaluation and review purposes, others have interest in accessing the data to explore applications of the research or technology.  These rights are stipulated in the Policy Directive.

If an awardee feels its SBIR/STTR data is being, or in danger of being, inappropriately revealed or disclosed, the awardee should bring this to the attention of the SBIR/STTR officials of the agency involved and may contact the SBA.

Awardee firms may negotiate with Federal agencies to give the Government additional rights to the SBIR/STTR Data; however, such negotiation must take place only after the award is made.  An agency may not make any negotiation of SBIR/STTR data rights a condition for an award.