STEP FAA Overview
State Trade Expansion Program

Information on qualification requirements from the U.S. Small Business Administration can be found at our Qualifications page.

The funding must be used to begin, enhance or support a company’s export related activities. For example, grant funds can be used for:

• Website development projects focusing on international enhancements (i.e. foreign language translation, SEO, localization services)
• Development of international marketing materials
• Online export-related training and education courses
• Independent export consultant services
• Product certification/compliance testing to sell internationally
• Attending trade shows/trade missions
• International advertisement and eCommerce

Please note that limited funds are available.  Contact Alan Dillingham with any questions.

• Complete application packet including a proposal detailing an export promotion plan, along with the expense report – Partial application submissions will NOT be reviewed.
• Provide required SBA certification forms
• Reimbursements will be based on completion of trade activity and all itemized receipts compiled in one submission.
• Due to SBA rules, companies must have all their project activities completed and all successful grant activity expenses  incurred within the two (2) years of the grant period. For STEP 11, that is October 1, 2023 through September 29, 2025. For STEP 12, that is October 1, 2024 through September 29, 2026. No exceptions).  

• Provide quarterly progress reports from October 1, 2023 – September 29, 2025 for STEP 11 grants and October 1, 2024 - September 29, 2026 for STEP 12 grants. Note that after a company’s activity has been completed and it has been reimbursed for its expenses, it still must submit quarterly progress reports until the end of the grant activity period --September 29, 2025 for STEP 11 and September 29, 2026 for STEP 12.
• Provide information regarding international development successes whether through joint ventures, actual sales, contract agreements, partnering with distributors/agents.