Delaware State Trade Expansion Program

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.

 

STEP Grant Allowable Expense Reimbursements:

 Please note that STEP Grant funds may only be used to cover the expenses of one traveler per company. An exception may be made if the second traveler is a technical person who is needed to facilitate sales.

• Airfare (consistent with Fly America Act guidelines)
• Ground transportation fees
• Baggage fees
• Parking fees
• Lodging (based on GSA/Department of State per diem rates, must be preapproved)
• Registration fees and booth space for trade shows
• Trade mission fees (U.S. Department of Commerce)
• Currency exchange fees
• Fees for shipping sample products (capped at $2,000)
• Cost of compliance testing an existing product for entry into an export market (capped at $3,000)
• 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 $6,000)
• Design of marketing media (capped at $3,000) commensurate with STEP’s statutory objectives deemed appropriate and approved in advance by SBA
• Export conferences, meetings, symposium or training programs that pertain to STEP’s statutory objectives deemed appropriate and approved in advance by SBA (after October 2019)

 

Companies wishing to participate in the Delware STEP grant may email Beth Pomper at beth.pomper@delaware.gov or call (302) 577-8465.