---
kind: "section"
citation: "15 U.S.C. § 657e"
title: "15"
title_heading: "Commerce and Trade"
number: "657e"
heading: "Mentoring Networks"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/657e"
units:
  - "Chapter 14A — Aid to Small Business"
---

# §657e. Mentoring Networks

- (a) **Findings—** Congress finds that—
  - (1) the SBIR and STTR programs create jobs, increase capacity for technological innovation, and boost international competitiveness;
  - (2) increasing the quantity of applications from all [States](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) to the SBIR and STTR programs would enhance competition for such awards and the quality of the completed projects; and
  - (3) mentoring is a natural complement to the FAST program of reaching out to new companies regarding the SBIR and STTR programs as an effective and low-cost way to improve the likelihood that such companies will succeed in such programs in developing and commercializing their research.
- (b) **Authorization for Mentoring Networks—** The recipient of an award or participant in a cooperative [agreement](/usc/15/7a.md?p=2) under [section 657d of this title](/usc/15/657d.md) may use a reasonable amount of such assistance for the establishment of a Mentoring Network under this section.
- (c) **Criteria for Mentoring Networks—** A Mentoring Network established using assistance under [section 657d of this title](/usc/15/657d.md) shall—
  - (1) provide business advice and counseling to high technology [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) located in the [State](/usc/15/15g.md?p=2) or region served by the Mentoring Network and identified under [section 657d(c)(1)(E)(ii) of this title](/usc/15/657d.md?p=c-1-E-ii) as potential candidates for the SBIR or STTR programs;
  - (2) identify volunteer mentors who—
    - (A) are [persons](/usc/15/7a.md?p=6) associated with a [small business concern](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) that has successfully completed one or more SBIR or STTR funding [agreements](/usc/15/7a.md?p=2); and
    - (B) have agreed to guide [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) through all stages of the SBIR or STTR program process, including providing assistance relating to—
      - (i) proposal writing;
      - (ii) marketing;
      - (iii) Government accounting;
      - (iv) Government audits;
      - (v) project facilities and equipment;
      - (vi) human resources;
      - (vii) third phase partners;
      - (viii) commercialization;
      - (ix) venture capital networking; and
      - (x) other matters relevant to the SBIR and STTR programs;
  - (3) have experience working with [small business concerns](/usc/15/636e.md?p=6) participating in the SBIR and STTR programs;
  - (4) contribute information to the national database referred to in [subsection (d)](#d); and
  - (5) agree to reimburse volunteer mentors for out-of-pocket expenses related to service as a mentor under this section.
- (d) **Mentoring database—** The [Administrator](/usc/15/637c.md?p=1) shall—
  - (1) include in the database required by [section 638(k)(1) of this title](/usc/15/638.md?p=k-1), in cooperation with the SBIR, STTR, and FAST programs, information on Mentoring Networks and mentors participating under this section, including a description of their areas of expertise;
  - (2) work cooperatively with Mentoring Networks to maintain and update the database;
  - (3) take such action as may be necessary to aggressively promote Mentoring Networks under this section; and
  - (4) fulfill the requirements of this subsection either directly or by contract.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 85–536, § 2[35], as added Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(9) [title I, § 112], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–680.)