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NAICS 541710Professional & Technical Services

How Much Can Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Scienc Businesses Get in SBA Loans?

768 SBA loans totaling $180.3M have been approved for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life scienc businesses (NAICS 541710). The average approved SBA loan is $235K, which is 31% below avg the $340K national average. 203 active lenders fund this industry with a 8.9% default rate on the matured 2018-2021 loan cohort.

Low default risk8.9% vs 15.4% all-industry avg

At 8.9%, Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Scienc sits well below the 15.4% all-industry SBA default rate (charged-off as a share of resolved loans) — low default risk relative to other SBA industries. Lenders price this risk into rate and structure, which is why matching the file to the right lender matters.

Quick Answer

NAICS 541710 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Scienc) received 768 SBA loans worth $180.3M across 5+ states. Average loan $235K, average term 103 months, 8.9% default rate (resolved-loan basis).203 active SBA-approved lenders fund this industry. Most research and development in the physical, engineering, and life scienc loans use the SBA 7(a) program. There are approximately 974,303 U.S. establishments in this industry (Census 2022).

768
Total SBA Loans
$180.3M
Total Volume
$235K
Avg Loan Size
31% below avg
203
Active Lenders
103 mo
Avg Term
21% below avg
6,619
Jobs Supported

Which SBA Program Do Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Scienc Businesses Use Most?

SBA 7(a)674 (88%)
SBA 50494 (12%)

What Is the Best SBA Loan for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Scienc?

SBA 7(a)

The most widely used SBA program for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life scienc businesses — flexible terms, multiple use cases

Industry avg loan: $235K
Typical term: 103 months
Historical avg rate: 9.04%
203+ lenders active in this industry
Default rate (2018–21 matured cohort): 8.9%

Where Are Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Scienc SBA Loans Most Common?

#1
CA
133 loans
$40.5M
#2
MA
56 loans
$11.5M
#3
TX
53 loans
$13.9M
#4
OH
46 loans
$13.6M
#5
PA
40 loans
$9.2M

Top SBA Lenders for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Scienc

These banks have funded the most SBA loans for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life scienc businesses (NAICS 541710). PeerSense routes deals to lenders with proven appetite in your industry.

#LenderLoansVolume
1Bank of America, National Association(NC)79$6.1M
2Wells Fargo Bank National Association(SD)70$13.9M
3Citizens Bank, National Association(RI)59$4.1M
4PNC Bank, National Association(DE)39$13.3M
5U.S. Bank, National Association(OH)35$4.5M

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Scienc Industry Context

U.S. Establishments
974,303
U.S. Census Bureau · 2022
U.S. Employment
22,385,000
BLS · 2026
SBA Penetration
0.08%
SBA loans per establishment

Ready to Fund Your Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Scienc Business?

PeerSense places SBA loans for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life scienc businesses nationwide. We match you with the right capital source — no retainers, referral fee at closing.

$0

Retainers

10%

Down with SBA 7(a)

25yr

Terms Available

Financing a Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Scienc business? Get matched to an SBA lender.

Tell us your loan amount and use of funds. We route you to the lender most likely to fund a deal in your industry.

SBA 7(a) / 504 — Response within 4 business hours. No obligation.

No retainers · Referral fee at closing · Or call (317) 452-6990

How Does SBA Lending Work for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Scienc Businesses?

Across all SBA loan programs, 768 loans have been approved for businesses classified under NAICS 541710 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Scienc), representing $180.3M in total capital deployed. The average approved loan of $235K is 31% below avg the national SBA average of $340K, with typical repayment terms of 103 months.

SBA lending for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life scienc has remained relatively stable across recent fiscal years. 203 active lenders continue funding this sector, providing consistent access to capital for both new ventures and established businesses looking to expand.

The industry sees a balanced mix of SBA programs, with 12% of loans using the 504 program for fixed asset acquisition and the majority using 7(a) for its flexibility across working capital, equipment, and business acquisition uses. SBA 7(a) loans offer up to $5M with terms up to 25 years for real estate.

PeerSense specializes in matching research and development in the physical, engineering, and life scienc business owners with the capital sources most likely to approve their specific deal structure. As an advisory firm (not a lender), we structure your deal across our network of 500+ SBA-approved lenders to find the best terms — our referral fee is established upfront and paid at closing. No retainers.

Frequently Asked Questions — Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Scienc SBA Loans

What is the average SBA loan size for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life scienc businesses?
Based on 768 approved SBA loans, the average loan size for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life scienc (NAICS 541710) is $235K. This compares to the national SBA average of $340K across all industries.
Which SBA loan program is best for a research and development in the physical, engineering, and life scienc business?
SBA 7(a) is the most commonly used SBA program for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life scienc businesses. The most widely used SBA program for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life scienc businesses — flexible terms, multiple use cases. PeerSense can analyze your specific deal to determine the optimal program.
How many lenders fund SBA loans for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life scienc?
203 different SBA-approved lenders have funded loans in this industry. Not all lenders are equally active in every industry — PeerSense matches your deal with lenders who have experience and appetite in the research and development in the physical, engineering, and life scienc sector.
What states have the most SBA lending for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life scienc?
CA leads with 133 SBA loans and $40.5M in total volume for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life scienc businesses. MA, TX, OH also show strong lending activity in this sector.
How does PeerSense help research and development in the physical, engineering, and life scienc businesses get SBA loans?
PeerSense is a capital advisory firm — not a lender. We analyze your deal (loan amount, down payment, business financials) and match you with SBA-approved lenders experienced in the research and development in the physical, engineering, and life scienc industry. Our referral fee is established upfront in our agreement and paid at closing. No retainers.

Data aggregated from SBA loan records (1992–2025). Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Scienc defined by NAICS code 541710. Not financial advice. PeerSense is a capital advisory firm, not a lender. Consult a lending professional before making financial decisions.