Part A · Startup-specific scheme
State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)
Small Business Administration
Grant
Growth / ScalingMarket Access & IP
Trade & Export
STEP is an SBA grant program that funds individual states to help their small businesses start or expand exporting, running since 2011. States use the grant to reimburse small-business exporters for specific eligible costs.
Type of support
Grant
Best suited for
Growth / Market Access
Headline amount
Varies by state (state awards up to $900,000 total)
How much
Reimbursement grants; state awards $100K-$900K
Objectives
Increase the number of small businesses exporting, increase the dollar value of small-business exports, and help small businesses explore significant new international trade opportunities.
Who can apply?
- Small business as defined by SBA size standards, already exporting or actively pursuing export opportunities.
- Apply through your state's STEP program administrator — eligible activities and reimbursement amounts vary by state.
What do you get?
- Reimbursement for costs like trade-show participation, trade-mission travel, export training, translated marketing materials, and website globalization/e-commerce.
- FY2026 state awards ranged from $100,000 to $900,000, with SBA anticipating about $20M in total awards nationally.
How to apply
Find your state's STEP program (usually run by the state's international trade or commerce office) and apply through that state's specific application cycle and rules.
Key links
Details as most recently confirmed against the official source linked above. Deadlines, amounts and windows change — verify on the official portal before applying.