State Trade Expansion Program 2026
Grant Opportunity Analysis
The U.S. Small Business Administration is accepting applications for the State Trade Expansion Program 2026 to fund state-level trade and export activities. Eligible applicants must be officially designated by their state governor as the sole lead entity for conducting state export activities and will deploy programs that provide financial and cost benefits to eligible small business concerns. Proposals must include a technical proposal, an Excel-based plan mapping out performance measures, match certification documents, and a signed Cost Policy Statement detailing accounting methodologies. The agency expects to make approximately 55 awards ranging from $100,000 to $900,000, and applications must be submitted by August 10, 2026.
Eligible Applicants
The Small Business Act provides in § 22(l)(1)(E) (15 USC § 649(l)(1)(E)) provides that STEP grants may be awarded only to “states,” meaning any of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. Therefore, only non-federal entities that meet this definition are eligible to apply for and administer an award under this Notice of Funding Opportunity. For purposes of this Notice of Funding Opportunity, the term “eligible non-federal entity” means a state agency or other entity that, prior to the date of application for this announcement, has been officially designated by the state governor, or equivalent thereof (e.g., mayor of the District of Columbia), as the sole applicant and lead entity for conducting the State’s trade and export activities. i. The organizational structure of the state’s designated international trade arm must show an official agency relationship with state government, and the state must provide financial backing in meeting the required match amount and show support for program activities. ii. Only those proposals accompanied by the written designation of the state governor, or his/her designee, may apply for funding consideration. iii. Should the governor, or equivalent thereof, assign to a designee the signatory responsibility for the designation letter, the designation letter must include an acknowledgement that the governor, or his/her equivalent, has authorized the designee to sign the letter on his/her behalf iv. For insular areas, the equivalent of a state governor is the appropriate signatory.