NAICS detail
NAICS 541715
Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services › Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
Small business size standard
1,000 employees
A business in this industry is generally considered small if it has 1,000 or fewer employees.
Exceptions
Aircraft, Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts
1,500 employees
- NAICS Codes 541713, 541714 and 541715 -
- "Research and Development" means laboratory or other physical research and development. It does not include economic, educational, engineering, operations, systems, or other nonphysical research; or computer programming, data processing, commercial and/or "medical laboratory testing.
- For research and development contracts requiring the delivery of a manufactured product, the appropriate size standard is that of the manufacturing industry.
- For purposes of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Transfer Technology (STTR) programs, the term ìresearchî or ìresearch and developmentî means any activity which is (A) a systematic, intensive study directed toward greater knowledge or understanding of the subject studied; (B) a systematic study directed specifically toward applying new knowledge to meet a recognized need; or (C) a systematic application of knowledge toward the production of useful materials, devices, and systems or methods, including design, development, and improvement of prototypes and new processes to meet specific requirements. See 15 U.S.C. ß 638(e)(5) and section 3 of the SBIR and STTR policy directives available at www.sbir.gov. For size eligibility requirements for the SBIR and STTR programs, see ß 121.702 of these regulations.
- Research and Development for guided missiles and space vehicles includes evaluations and simulation, and other services requiring thorough knowledge of complete missiles and spacecraft.
Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment
1,250 employees
- NAICS Codes 541713, 541714 and 541715 -
- "Research and Development" means laboratory or other physical research and development. It does not include economic, educational, engineering, operations, systems, or other nonphysical research; or computer programming, data processing, commercial and/or "medical laboratory testing.
- For research and development contracts requiring the delivery of a manufactured product, the appropriate size standard is that of the manufacturing industry.
- For purposes of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Transfer Technology (STTR) programs, the term ìresearchî or ìresearch and developmentî means any activity which is (A) a systematic, intensive study directed toward greater knowledge or understanding of the subject studied; (B) a systematic study directed specifically toward applying new knowledge to meet a recognized need; or (C) a systematic application of knowledge toward the production of useful materials, devices, and systems or methods, including design, development, and improvement of prototypes and new processes to meet specific requirements. See 15 U.S.C. ß 638(e)(5) and section 3 of the SBIR and STTR policy directives available at www.sbir.gov. For size eligibility requirements for the SBIR and STTR programs, see ß 121.702 of these regulations.
- Research and Development for guided missiles and space vehicles includes evaluations and simulation, and other services requiring thorough knowledge of complete missiles and spacecraft.
Guided Missiles and Space Vehicles, Their Propulsion Units and Propulsion Parts
1,300 employees
- NAICS Codes 541713, 541714 and 541715 -
- "Research and Development" means laboratory or other physical research and development. It does not include economic, educational, engineering, operations, systems, or other nonphysical research; or computer programming, data processing, commercial and/or "medical laboratory testing.
- For research and development contracts requiring the delivery of a manufactured product, the appropriate size standard is that of the manufacturing industry.
- For purposes of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Transfer Technology (STTR) programs, the term ìresearchî or ìresearch and developmentî means any activity which is (A) a systematic, intensive study directed toward greater knowledge or understanding of the subject studied; (B) a systematic study directed specifically toward applying new knowledge to meet a recognized need; or (C) a systematic application of knowledge toward the production of useful materials, devices, and systems or methods, including design, development, and improvement of prototypes and new processes to meet specific requirements. See 15 U.S.C. ß 638(e)(5) and section 3 of the SBIR and STTR policy directives available at www.sbir.gov. For size eligibility requirements for the SBIR and STTR programs, see ß 121.702 of these regulations.
- Research and Development for guided missiles and space vehicles includes evaluations and simulation, and other services requiring thorough knowledge of complete missiles and spacecraft.
SBA footnotes
- NAICS Codes 541713, 541714 and 541715 -
- "Research and Development" means laboratory or other physical research and development. It does not include economic, educational, engineering, operations, systems, or other nonphysical research; or computer programming, data processing, commercial and/or "medical laboratory testing.
- For research and development contracts requiring the delivery of a manufactured product, the appropriate size standard is that of the manufacturing industry.
- For purposes of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Transfer Technology (STTR) programs, the term ìresearchî or ìresearch and developmentî means any activity which is (A) a systematic, intensive study directed toward greater knowledge or understanding of the subject studied; (B) a systematic study directed specifically toward applying new knowledge to meet a recognized need; or (C) a systematic application of knowledge toward the production of useful materials, devices, and systems or methods, including design, development, and improvement of prototypes and new processes to meet specific requirements. See 15 U.S.C. ß 638(e)(5) and section 3 of the SBIR and STTR policy directives available at www.sbir.gov. For size eligibility requirements for the SBIR and STTR programs, see ß 121.702 of these regulations.
- Research and Development for guided missiles and space vehicles includes evaluations and simulation, and other services requiring thorough knowledge of complete missiles and spacecraft.
Am I small under this code?
Published standard: 1,000 employees
Use your average employees per pay period over the last 24 months, including all affiliates.
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This code has exceptions. Your specific activity may use a different standard. See the Exceptions below before relying on this.
U.S. Small Business Administration — Table of Size Standards. Reflects the SBA table retrieved 2026-07-17; size standards are periodically inflation-adjusted, so confirm the current figure. Powers the official SBA size-standards tool. Revenue/asset limits are in millions of USD; employee limits are headcount. Not legal advice — confirm against 13 CFR 121.201. View the source.
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