INSIGHTi
COVID-19: Selected Federal Resources for
Businesses Seeking to Assist with Research
and Manufacturing Efforts
Updated July 1, 2020
Some U.S. businesses have been engaging in research or retooling their manufacturing operations, supply
chains, or products to assist with fighting the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This
CRS Insight presents selected federal resources potentially relevant to businesses that seek to support
COVID-19 mobilization efforts.
At the subfederal level, state and local economic development or commerce agencies may be valuable
general resources for new and established enterprises. A few local and state governments have created
their own COVID-19 grants for businesses to ramp up production of critical supplies, such as personal
protective equipment. These kinds of state or local government initiatives may vary widely; in many
jurisdictions, they may not exist at all.
For other overviews of resources available to businesses, such as those seeking economic relief from
adverse COVID-19 impacts, see CRS Insight IN11301, Small Businesses and COVID-19: Relief and
Assistance Resources, and CRS Insight IN11368, Larger Businesses and COVID-19: Financial Relief and
Assistance Resources.
For more information on current efforts related to research and development of medical products
associated with emerging infectious diseases, see CRS Report R46427, Development and Regulation of
Medical Countermeasures for COVID-19 (Vaccines, Diagnostics, and Treatments): Frequently Asked
Questions. For an in-depth analysis of COVID-19’s effects on federal research and development projects,
see CRS Report R46309, Effects of COVID-19 on the Federal Research and Development Enterprise.
For a list of all CRS products related to COVID-19, see the CRS COVID-19 Resources page.
Selected Federal Assistance Programs for Businesses
Generally, the federal government awards grants to nonprofits, educational institutions, and state and local
governments. The federal government does not award grants for starting or expanding a business;
however, it does have grant programs to support research and development (R&D) by small businesses.
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Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer
(STTR)
The SBIR and STTR grant programs were established to expand the role of small businesses in federal
R&D. Eleven federal agencies operate SBIR programs, and five federal agencies operate STTR programs.
See CRS Report R43695, Small Business Research Programs: SBIR and STTR.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA)
BARDA has funding opportunities for medical countermeasures development such as vaccines,
therapeutics, and diagnostics. Additionally, innovators and companies may submit their ideas to the
government-wide platform MedicalCounterMeasures.gov (operated by BARDA) to request discussions
with U.S. government experts or funding regarding a product being developed for COVID-19.
According to HHS, BARDA also collaborates with public and private entities through Operation Warp
Speed, a public-private partnership among pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, and the
military to facilitate the development, manufacturing, and distribution of COVID-19 countermeasures.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
NIH programs support research grants, contracts, and other assistance to support research and other
pandemic-related activities. NIH has issued several funding opportunity notices, including for
opportunities where current recipients of NIH awards may submit applications for revisions, seek
supplemental funding for existing projects in order to redirect research efforts to COVID-19, or apply for
new projects. Applicants can also submit proposals to NIH parent funding announcements, such as for
NIH’s SBIR/STTR program. NIH has also announced internal partnerships with private companies,
including the Accelerating COVID-19 Therapeutic Interventions and Vaccines (ACTIV) partnership and
the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) initiative, a prize competition for diagnostic test
innovation.
National Science Foundation (NSF)
NSF is funding several research projects on COVID-19 and has invited proposals from the science
community for “rapid response research” (RAPID) grants related to the pandemic, which allow the
agency to fast-track grants for COVID-19 research proposals. NSF has also invited small businesses to
submit SBIR/STTR phase 1 proposals addressing COVID-19.
Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) CDBG program may be used for
activities related to business and economic development. CDBG COVID-19 guidance includes the
allowance of grants or loans for supporting businesses with the manufacture of medical supplies
necessary to respond to infectious disease. However, funding decisions are made at the state or local level
about the prioritization of CDBG’s eligible activities. See CRS Insight IN11315, Community
Development Block Grants and the CARES Act, and CRS Insight IN11277, Responding to the COVID-19
Outbreak with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Authorities. Interested stakeholders should
contact HUD’s field offices or CDBG administrators pertaining to the state, county, or city. Also see
CDBG COVID-19 resources.
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National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST’s) Manufacturing Extension
Partnership (MEP)
NIST’s MEP is a national network of centers located in every state that provide custom services to small
and medium-sized manufacturers to improve production processes, upgrade capabilities, and facilitate
product innovation. See CRS Report R44308, The Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program.
Manufacturing businesses can check with their local MEP center to inquire about possible COVID-19
resources. Additionally, a current NIST funding opportunity is open to Manufacturing USA institutes.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
FEMA has launched a Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response page, which includes information on how the
private sector can be involved in response efforts (e.g., selling or donating medical supplies or equipment
or producing products).
Department of Commerce, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
USPTO has announced new Prioritized Examination Programs for patent and trademark applications
related to COVID-19. Under these programs, applicants receive prioritized patent or trademark
examinations and certain fees are waived. Also see the USPTO COVID-19 Response Resource Center.
Federal Government Contracting Opportunities
Incumbent and potential contractors may access federal agencies’ solicitations on the beta version of the
System for Award Management. Contracting opportunities related to the coronavirus outbreak may not
necessarily include the term “COVID-19” or related terms.
Businesses may find information about the federal procurement process in the Small Business
Administration’s (SBA’s) contracting guide. See CRS Report RS22536, Overview of the Federal
Procurement Process and Resources, and CRS Legal Sidebar LSB10428, COVID-19 and Federal
Procurement Contracts.
Department of Defense (DOD)
DOD’s Joint Acquisition Task Force is accepting inquiries from businesses that seek to play a role in
responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. DOD also provides resources/guidance for contracting
opportunities.
Author Information
Maria Kreiser
Senior Research Librarian
Congressional Research Service
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Disclaimer
This document was prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan shared staff
to congressional committees and Members of Congress. It operates solely at the behest of and under the direction of
Congress. Information in a CRS Report should not be relied upon for purposes other than public understanding of
information that has been provided by CRS to Members of Congress in connection with CRS’s institutional role.
CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not subject to copyright protection in the United
States. Any CRS Report may be reproduced and distributed in its entirety without permission from CRS. However,
as a CRS Report may include copyrighted images or material from a third party, you may need to obtain the
permission of the copyright holder if you wish to copy or otherwise use copyrighted material.
IN11419 · VERSION 2 · UPDATED