Velázquez, Hernández, and McCollum Urge U.S. Air Force to Expand Innovation Grants to Small Businesses in Puerto Rico and Other Territories
WASHINGTON– Today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Congressman Pablo José Hernández (D-PR) and Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN), led a letter to the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) calling for stronger engagement with small businesses and academic institutions in Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.
“We are writing to express our support for enhancing the relationship between the U.S. Air Force and the many small businesses in the U.S. territories, including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, that are both committed and capable of supporting U.S. national security,” the lawmakers wrote. “We believe the talent and capabilities that exist in these localities to support the USAF and Department of Defense are currently underutilized but are positioned to make important contributions to supporting mission-critical defense activities.”
The SBIR and STTR programs are competitive federal initiatives that encourage domestic small businesses to engage in research and development (R&D) with the potential for commercialization. These programs are designed to stimulate innovation, strengthen the role of small businesses in meeting federal R&D needs, and promote partnerships between small businesses and research institutions.
The lawmakers urged the Air Force to invest in outreach and capacity building in the territories, emphasizing the untapped potential of local businesses and universities to contribute to national defense priorities, particularly in the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean regions.
Puerto Rico ranks among the top jurisdictions globally for availability of scientists and engineers. In 2021 alone, universities on the island awarded over 20,000 STEM degrees. Meanwhile, Guam and American Samoa consistently report some of the highest military enlistment rates in the country, reflecting a strong commitment to service despite limited local economic opportunities.
The letter also highlights the historically low number of SBIR awards granted to the territories and calls for expanded investment—not just in early-stage funding, but also in follow-on support such as Phase II awards and Strategic or Tactical Funding Increases (STRATFI).
“We strongly support developing a sustained pathway for not only Phase I SBIR/STTR awards but also Phase II awards and STRATFI transitions to enable a vibrant national security-focused ecosystem in the territories,” continued the lawmakers. “This is particularly important in light of the tremendous talent being produced by their academic institutions to support defense innovation. The higher presence of security-clearable talent is also key in strengthening the small business defense sector.”
“With two major institutions designated as High Research Activity and Doctoral Universities (R2), including the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez —a STEM-focused campus—the University of Puerto Rico system demonstrates the research maturity and capacity to engage in high-impact R&D partnerships. These institutions are well-positioned to drive innovation through SBIR/STTR programs that lead to product commercialization, advance national security and fuel economic development.” —Ingrid Y. Padilla, Ph.D., P.H., Special Advisor to the Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Creative Endeavors Professor of Civil Engineering & Surveying, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez
The letter was also signed by Reps. James Moylan (R-GU) and Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-CNMI).
Find the full letter here.
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