The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has amended its regulations governing size and eligibility for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. This rule implements provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012. The rule addresses ownership, control and affiliation for participants in the SBIR and STTR programs. This includes participants that are majority-owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, private equity firms or hedge funds.