State Trade Expansion Program 2026
🏛 Small Business Administration (SBA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 15, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for state-designated international trade entities. Only one official state agency per state can apply—the entity officially designated by the governor as the lead for trade and export activities. Eligible applicants include state agencies in all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.
The applicant must have an official agency relationship with state government. The state governor or equivalent must provide a written designation letter naming the applying entity. The state must also commit to the required cost match and support program activities.
STEP funds support state-level trade expansion activities and assistance programs for small businesses entering export markets.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
State Trade Expansion Program
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Letter of designation from state governor (or equivalent official)
- Budget and budget narrative
- Project narrative/workplan
- Documentation of state financial commitment and match
- Organizational chart showing agency relationship to state government
- Evidence of state support (resolutions, budget appropriations, letters of support)
Program contact
- 👤 Benee Edwards Grantor
- 📧 STEP@SBA.gov
- 📞 2022723268
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 59.061 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$1,503,486
-
$1,093,067
-
$1,000,000
-
$900,000
-
$900,000
-
$900,000
-
$900,000
-
$900,000
-
$900,000
-
$900,000
Top States by Funding
- MI 3 awards $3.3M
- HI 4 awards $2.9M
- NY 4 awards $2.7M
- WA 2 awards $1.9M
- NC 2 awards $1.8M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 59.061). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $17,788,579 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for STEP grants?
Only the state-designated trade entity per state can apply. Your state governor must officially designate your organization as the lead for trade and export activities. This means each state has only one eligible applicant.
What documents do I need to include?
You'll need a written designation letter from the state governor or equivalent official naming your entity as the lead trade organization. You must also document the state's financial commitment to the required cost match.
What can STEP grants fund?
STEP typically supports trade expansion activities, export promotion, business training, market research, and trade show participation. Programs help small businesses access international markets.
Is there a cost match requirement?
Yes, cost sharing is required. Your state must demonstrate financial backing for the match. The specific percentage should be confirmed with the latest program guidance.
When is the deadline and how much can we request?
The deadline is August 10, 2026. Awards range from $100,000 to $900,000. Confirm exact requirements in the full Notice of Funding Opportunity.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Secure your governor's designation letter early. This is a hard requirement—applications without it cannot be considered, so start with your governor's office immediately.
- Document your state's financial commitment. Show how your state budget supports the match requirement and ongoing trade activities.
- Highlight existing trade infrastructure. Describe current state export programs, staff expertise, and networks you'll leverage with STEP funds.
- Focus on small business impact. Show how your activities will help underrepresented or rural small businesses access export markets.
- Align with state economic strategy. Connect your STEP proposal to your state's broader economic development goals and priorities.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications lack a valid governor's designation letter or submit a letter from a lower-level official without explicit gubernatorial authority. State fails to document concrete financial commitment or matching funds that are already committed and available. Proposal focuses on state bureaucracy rather than tangible small business export assistance and outcomes.
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