State Trade Expansion Program 2026-001
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- SB-OITST-26-001
- Applications due
- Award size
- $100,000 to $900,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
-
- 59.061 State Trade Expansion
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Categories
-
- Business and Commerce
- Community Development
- Eligible applicants
-
- Higher Education Inst. (Public)
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- State Governments
- Higher Education Inst. (Private)
- Other
- Points of contact
-
- <Unknown> support@grants.gov (800) 518-4726
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Small Business Administration is soliciting applications for the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) to fund export promotion services for small businesses, with an application deadline of August 10, 2026.
Eligible applicants include state governments, higher education institutions (public and private), 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and other entity types. STEP operates on a matching-funds basis; awards are distributed competitively based on merit and the applicant's capacity to provide matching funds. The program requires that at least eighty-five percent of federal funds support direct small business assistance activities, supplementing rather than substituting for non-federal export funding.
Based on recent fiscal year cycles, individual awards range from $100,000 to $900,000. The performance period typically spans two years. Recipients must demonstrate technical competence, past performance capability, and measurable ability to increase both the number of small business exporters and the dollar value of exports from participating firms. Funded activities include export training workshops, foreign trade missions, reverse trade missions, international marketing assistance, trade show participation, market research, website translation services, and technical export support.
Awards are project or formula grants issued competitively; no appeal opportunity exists. Recipients must maintain detailed activity records reflecting the nature and variety of trade promotion activities conducted and comprehensive financial records for three years after grant completion. The SBA's Office of Inspector General conducts periodic reviews assessing recipient performance measurement, activity results, and overall program effectiveness. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov.
CFDA 59.061
Synopsis
The underlying premise of STEP is to supplement non-federal entities' (as defined in Section 3.1) funds for export activities, not to substitute federal funds to cover costs.
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