Report says NIH SBIR, STTR lack diversity

National Institutes of Health programs intended to foster small business innovation are not attracting enough women and minorities, according to a new report by the National Research Council.

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are spurring innovation and meeting most objectives set by Congress, the report said, according to Bloomberg/BNA. Bloomberg/BNA obtained a pre-publication copy of the report.

But there are weaknesses in participation by blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans and women. Based on a survey, black-owned small businesses accounted for only 0.7% of all respondents; Hispanic-owned, 1.7%; and Native American-owned, zero percent, Bloomberg/BNA reported.

The survey also said only 10% of SBIR/STTR Phase 1 studies and 12% of Phase 2 studies went to women-owned companies.

More information: http://goo.gl/NTRktm

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