After a six-month lapse that left small businesses unsure of the future of small business innovation programs, a recent reauthorization bill affirmed continued support for high impact technologies. Federal agencies are now beginning to release new funding opportunities. Here’s what small businesses need to know about changes to the programs and how to apply.
On May 29th, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) proposed new regulations that would significantly overhaul federal grantmaking by codifying increased oversight by political appointees of federal grants, with the stated goal of improving “transparency, accountability, and oversight for Federal awards across the Federal Government” and to “reduce recipient burden.” The regulations would apply to virtually alla significant portion of federal grants and cooperative agreements, totaling approximately $1.2 trillion per year, roughly 15% of which ($179 billion) goes to small entities. The Administration has indicated it will move quickly with a 45-day public comment period (deadline July 13), with the intent to issue a final rule effective by October 1st, 2026 (the start of FY2027).
On March 11, 2026, ten small business leaders from across the country joined the CEBN for 25 meetings with congressional offices to discuss the importance of federal investment in energy innovation. As past recipients of Department of Energy (DOE) grants, particularly from the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, these businesses were able to speak to the importance of this funding to strengthening America’s energy economy.
On November 10th, the Senate passed legislation to end the longest shutdown in U.S. history. Here’s a summary of the bill.
On Thursday October 23rd, CEBN held a webinar on the lapse of SBIR/STTR programs. Presentation slides and a recording are available. CEBN will continue to advocate for the reauthorization of the SBIR/STTR programs and provide updates on any further developments. We encourage all impacted business leaders to reach out to your Senators through CEBN’s email form and share a case study with our partner organization, the Small Business Technology Council (SBTC).
On May 22nd, the House of Representatives advanced a major tax reform package on a largely party-line basis 215-214, with two Republicans joining Democrats in opposition. The Senate Finance Committee publicly released its proposed version of the tax provisions on June 16th. Congressional Republicans have set a goal of finalizing any changes and enacting the legislation by July 4th.
This spring, the Clean Energy Business Network (CEBN) brought 49 small business leaders from across the country into 75 meetings with congressional offices to discuss the need to protect energy tax incentives and federal investments in energy innovation and modernization.
On March 6, 2025, the Clean Energy Business Network sent a letter signed by 214 small business leaders, representing a total of 155 businesses and organizations, urging Congress to preserve the energy tax credits to ensure business certainty and promote American competitiveness.
On December 4-5, 2024, the Clean Energy Business Network (CEBN) participated in the Community Energy Innovation (CEI) Summit, which was hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in Chicago, IL. Taking place at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)—a federally recognized Hispanic- and Minority-Serving Institution—the Summit showcased 19 teams from the CEI Prize’s Clean Energy and Manufacturing Ecosystem Tracks, along with other organizations working to support innovation, entrepreneurship, capacity building, and economic development in communities historically underrepresented in clean energy funding. This event was made possible, in part, through sponsorship by E2, the Clean Energy for America Education Fund, Climate Power, and Invenergy.
Cleantech Leaders Roundtable (CTLR) and the Clean Energy Business Network (CEBN) are thrilled to announce the third cohort of the Mária Telkes Fellowship!
The Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) and Clean Energy Business Network (CEBN) were pleased to participate in Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA)’s Louisiana Energy Security Summit in Baton Rouge on October 16th, which focused on unleashing American abundance in a changing global landscape.
The Good Jobs in Clean Energy Prize offers over $3 million in funding to foster the creation of high-quality, equitable jobs in the clean energy sector. This prize aims to support coalitions in developing comprehensive strategies to enhance job quality and access, build effective partnerships, and drive sustainable economic growth in local communities.
