Massachusetts State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) is sponsored by Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment (MOITI). This program offsets international business development and related marketing costs for small businesses.

STEP grant proceeds may be used for specific international business development and marketing costs, such as participation in foreign trade missions, trade show exhibitions, website foreign language translation, and international marketing materials.

Massachusetts Export Center | STEP Program Massachusetts Export Center Counseling and Technical Assistance International Business Development Assistance Massachusetts STEP Program STEP Grant Status Updates: October 17, 2025 - As of today, the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment (MOITI) is still awaiting notification from the U.S. Small Business Administration regarding the 2025-2026 STEP award.

As soon as more details become available the information will be posted to this website. The Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment awaiting notification of award of the 2025-2026 STEP Grant.

Though the grant application period will not open until notification of award is received, interested companies should be aware of the Eligible activities must take place during the 12-month grant period of October 1, 2025 - September 30, 2026.

Priority will be placed on grant recipients fulfilling their approved export development activities within the first two quarters of the grant period (October 1, 2025 - March 31, Though the STEP Grant is still pending confirmation of funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration, companies are encouraged to prepare now for planned activities early in the grant period.

The Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment ("MOITI"), in collaboration with the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center and the Massachusetts Export Center, is pleased to announce the Massachusetts State Trade Expansion Program ("STEP").

MOITI, through a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration ("SBA"), will provide grants to eligible, approved Massachusetts small businesses for the purpose of increasing export sales of their goods and services. Eligible businesses may apply for grants to reimburse for costs associated with pre-approved projects, activities or services undertaken during the application period.

Each grant recipient will be required to provide a match to cover at least a portion of the total approved cost for any project, activity or service (the "Match"). New-to-export and new-to-STEP firms have a minimum of 10% match requirement and all other firms have a minimum of 20% match requirement. The STEP Program is intended to help offset international business development and related marketing costs for small businesses.

Grant proceeds may be used for specific international business development and marketing costs, including: Overseas trade show or conference exhibition and directly related expenses (e.g., booth space rental/stand build/furniture rental, shipping charges, carnets, attendance in conjunction with exhibiting, space to deliver technical sales seminars, etc.) U.S. Department of Commerce international business development services (e.g., Gold Key Service, International Partner Search with Virtual Introductions, Single Company Promotion, International Company Profile, trade missions and other export matchmaking services, Cost of compliance testing an existing product for entry into an export market (e.g., CE testing, certification, and/or compliance auditing) Design of export market-specific marketing media (including design and translation of brochures, targeted advertising in industry-appropriate media, including digital marketing activities, etc. – does not include printing or design of video content) Localization of web sites for target export markets (including translation of web sites, technical localization, e-Commerce fees, and search engine optimization Export credit insurance policy fees through the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. Attorney fees for review of international distributor agreements (review work and billing must take place within STEP 12 dates) cover certain activities, including but not limited to: routine business operation and infrastructure-related expenses, domestic trade shows and conferences, travel expenses, staffing related costs, and more.

Applications for vague or ineligible activities will be automatically disqualified. Small businesses engaged in STEP-supported export activities must be an export-ready U.S. company seeking to export goods or services of U.S. origin or have at least 51% U.S. content. STEP applicants should reference existing U.S. government regulatory guidance for determination of U.S. content.

For questions on the STEP application process, please contact the Massachusetts Export Center by clicking here . Thank you! Small Business Administration