State Trade Expansion

STEP
CFDA 59.061 Active Grant
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Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding
$17.8M FY2024
$17.8M
FY24

Program Objective

Grants made to state governments to increase the number of small businesses that are exporting and increase the value of exports for those small businesses that export.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • U.S. State Government

States, defined as the 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands.

Beneficiaries

  • Small Business Person

How to Apply

Award Procedure

SBA Headquarters executes grants to approved state applicants.
Refer to STEP Program Announcement.

Prior to the end of the Federal fiscal year (i.e., September 30th).

Program details & compliance

Description

Grants made to state governments to increase the number of small businesses that are exporting and increase the value of exports for those small businesses that export.

Mission Categories

Primary: Small Business

Other categories:
International

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

Funds are restricted to export promotion activities that assist eligible small business concerns.

Required Documentation

Documentation must include designation by the State Governor or his/her designee that the applicant is the sole entity responsible for conducting the state's export activities.

Matching Requirements

The 10 states with the highest percentage of exporters that are small business concerns based upon the latest data available from the Department of Commerce shall receive no more than 40 percent of the total Federal Fiscal year appropriation. The Federal Share of project cost for a State that has a high export volume will be 65%. The Federal share of project cost for a State that does not have a high export volume will be 75%. (The Associate Administrator for the SBA Office of International Trade will determine which States are high volume). The State must match the remainder of project cost. The match must be comprised of not less than 50% cash and not more than 50% of in-kind contributions. Matching funds may not be derived from any Federal program.

Reporting & Compliance

Audit Required
Yes — Annual
Records Retention
3 years

Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts

  • Subpart E — Cost Principles
  • Subpart F — Audit Requirements

Contacts

Shadetra Robinson, Director, STEP — Program Analyst
202-205-6752
409 3rd St., SW 2nd Floor, Washington, DC, DC 20416
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2026-02-04. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-05-29 05:36:18.