State trade expansion program (step)
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- SB-OITST-25-001
- 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
-
- State Governments
- 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 (SBA) is seeking state government applicants for the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant, designed to support eligible small business concerns (ESBCs) in developing export capabilities. The primary objective is to increase the number of U.S. small businesses that export, expand the dollar value of exports, and help businesses explore new international trade opportunities. Eligible applicants must be state agencies officially designated by their governor to conduct trade activities, with a requirement to dedicate at least 85% of federal funds directly to supporting small business export development. Proposed activities may include foreign trade missions, reverse trade missions, export training workshops, international marketing media design, website translation, trade show participation, and commerce subscription services. Applications will be evaluated based on technical proposal quality, past performance, and demonstrated ability to increase the number of small business exporters and export sales.
The grant opportunity will award up to $20 million, with individual grants ranging from $100,000 to $900,000 for a 12-month base period, with a potential 12-month option year. The performance period will start on September 30, 2025, and grants must be submitted through Grants.gov by the July 31, 2025 deadline. All applications will be processed competitively, with selection based on merit and the applicant's ability to match funds. The program is part of the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015, which made STEP a permanent provision of the Small Business Act, focusing on supporting the export growth of small businesses across the United States.
Synopsis
The Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (HR 644), signed into law on February 24, 2016, made the State Trade Expansion Program a permanent provision of the Small Business Act to make grants to States, and the equivalent thereof, to carry out projects that support developing exports by eligible small business concerns (ESBCs) (as defined in Section 8.1.5). The objective of STEP is to increase (1) the number of U.S. small businesses that export, (2) the dollar value of exports, and (3) the number of U.S. small businesses exploring significant new trade opportunities (as defined in 8.1.15).
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| OED - OMT FY25 STEP NOFO.pdf |
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