New Mexico’s national labs are committed to helping businesses in the state through the New Mexico Small Business Assistance (NMSBA) Program. NMSBA is a statewide initiative that connects eligible small businesses with experts at Los Alamos National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories for specialized support from scientists and engineers to help solve technical challenges, improve products, strengthen operations, and accelerate growth. Business owners interested in learning more about the NMSBA Program can attend an in-person meeting at The BioScience Center in Albuquerque at 11:30 am on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
The New Mexico Legislature created the Laboratory Partnership with Small Business Tax Credit Act in 2000 to bring “the technology and expertise of the national laboratories to small businesses in New Mexico to promote economic development in the state, with an emphasis on rural areas.”
As a result, Sandia National Laboratories established the New Mexico Small Business Assistance Program to provide technical support to small businesses. Los Alamos National Laboratory began participating in NMSBA in 2007. Jointly, the labs are committed to solving critical challenges faced by New Mexico businesses by using national laboratory expertise and resources; influencing New Mexico business development by building capacity, capabilities, and competencies; and acting as an advocate for small businesses through an entrepreneurial culture.
Since 2000, the two national laboratories have provided $80.6 million in technical assistance to 3,267 businesses, enabling 11,116 jobs to be created and retained across the state’s 33 counties.
Who is eligible for NMSBA
U.S.-owned New Mexico for-profit businesses that pay gross receipts taxes to the state are eligible to apply. Businesses that are defined as “small” by the SBA (this includes the majority of New Mexico businesses) are eligible to apply for up to $40,000 worth of NMSBA Program assistance. NMSBA does not offer cash, investments, or exchange goods and services. Instead, its assistance is provided free to accepted businesses.
Participants at the May 13 session will learn how the program can help a business overcome technical roadblocks, improve product design and performance, conduct specialized testing and evaluation, enhance manufacturing processes, and increase competitiveness and innovation.