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State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Grant is sponsored by U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) / Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). This grant helps small businesses expand their reach to international markets by providing reimbursements for export-related expenses, such as website translation and international trade show participation costs.
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State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) | U.S. Small Business Administration State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Look into financial awards for state and territory governments that can help grow small businesses through exporting. Information for small businesses The STEP grant program has helped thousands of small businesses obtain grants and find customers in the international marketplace since 2011.
Through awards to U.S. states and territories, STEP helps small businesses overcome obstacles to exporting by providing grants to cover costs associated with entering and expanding into international markets.
STEP financial support helps U.S. small businesses: Participate in foreign trade missions Support website globalization and e-commerce capabilities Pay for subscriptions to services provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce and other federal agencies Participate in export trade show exhibits and training workshops Check out the SBA Grants for Global Expansion webinar to learn more about the STEP program. Ready to apply?
Contact STEP awardees in your state or territory to find out how they can help you start or expand your business to reach global customers with the help of a STEP grant. Information for state entities STEP 12 Fiscal Year 2024 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) SBA is now accepting proposals for funding from eligible state entities that want to provide assistance and guidance to small businesses interested in exporting.
Applications must be received by June 6, 2024 . STEP provides financial awards to state and territory governments to assist small businesses with export development.
Find information on how eligible state entities can apply for STEP awards to be used to increase small business exporters and their sales in their state: CFR: Third-party in-kind contributions CFR: Cost sharing or matching STEP awardee Terms and Conditions STEP awards are managed and provided at the local level by state government organizations. The program is managed at the national level by SBA’s Office of Manufacturing and Trade .
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Small businesses looking to expand to foreign markets and export their goods and services. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows up to $10,000. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Grant is funded by U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) / Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
This opportunity targets applicants in Massachusetts. If your organization operates elsewhere, check the official notice for location requirements.
Applications go through the funder's official portal — the Apply Now link on this page goes there directly.
Illinois's Federal Grant Support Program (Round 2) puts $16.9 million into a single, unglamorous job: paying the non-federal match that keeps competitive applicants out of federal competitions they would otherwise win. Awards run $10,000 to $2 million across roughly 30 recipients, on a rolling basis with no fixed deadline. As federal rules tighten and match requirements harden into eligibility gates, a 'grant to get a grant' is becoming one of the highest-leverage dollars a state can spend. Here is how the program works, who should pursue it, and why match funding is the quiet chokepoint in the 2026 federal landscape.
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