The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Grant offers eligible Delaware businesses assistance to help launch or expand export activity. Grant funds can be used to reimburse Delaware businesses for up to 50 percent of all pre-approved, eligible, export marketing expenses, up to a maximum of $7,000 per fiscal year, per company. Delaware companies can receive funding for a maximum of three times, per country market, in a five-year period. For more information, contact the Export Delaware Export Team.

Please note that the STEP Grant is only available to companies with a physical operation and employees in Delaware.

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STEP Grant Allowable Expense Reimbursements:

• Airfare (consistent with Fly America Act guidelines)
• Lodging (based on GSA/Department of State per diem rates)
• Registration fees, standard booth space, standard build out for trade shows
• Trade mission fees (U.S. Department of Commerce)
• Domestic trade show assistance via IBP Select Trade Shows
• Fees for shipping sample products (capped at $2,000) per award year
• Cost of compliance testing an existing product for entry into an export market (capped at $3,000) per award year
• Export research tool subscription used to assist STEP Clients with market research (capped at $1,000) per award year
• Website translation into foreign language, search engine optimization and localization services capped at $3,000
• Design of marketing media (capped at $3,000)

STEP Grant Unallowable Expense Reimbursements:

• Passport or visa fees
• Meals
• Ground transportation fees
• Baggage fees
• Parking fees
• Immunizations
• Expenses related to entertaining current or prospective clients or government officials
• New product development or alteration of existing products
• Cellphones and cellphone charges
• Television and radio production
• Efforts to create or augment marketing and advertising campaigns to draw international visitors to a State
• Costs associated with CE mark
• Cost for development and/or design of a website for a company
• Cost for enhancement and/or development of an existing company’s product

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Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Additional Funding For Export Activities

Additional capital resources are available from the federal government and other organizations for export activities. Options range from tax credits to low interest loans, and other financing plans. Search here to find the right option for your business.