Massachusetts Export Center


Massachusetts STEP Program

MOITI  MSBDC NetworkMassachusetts Export CenterSBA

 

The 2025-2026 STEP program will be announced later in 2025!

 


The Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment ("MOITI"), in collaboration with the Massachusetts Small Business Development Center and the Massachusetts Export Center, is pleased to announce the Massachusetts State Trade Expansion Program ("STEP"). MOITI, through a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration ("SBA"), will provide grants to eligible, approved Massachusetts small businesses for the purpose of increasing export sales of their goods and services.

Eligible businesses may apply for grants to reimburse for costs associated with pre-approved projects, activities or services undertaken during the application period. Each grant recipient will be required to provide a match to cover at least a portion of the total approved cost for any project, activity or service (the "Match"). New-to-export and new-to-STEP firms have a minimum of 10% match requirement and all other firms have a minimum of 20% match requirement.

The STEP Program is intended to help offset international business development and related marketing costs for small businesses. Grant proceeds may be used for specific international business development and marketing costs, including:

  • Overseas trade show or conference exhibition and directly related expenses (e.g., booth space rental/stand build/furniture rental, shipping charges, carnets, attendance in conjunction with exhibiting, space to deliver technical sales seminars, etc.)

  • U.S. Department of Commerce international business development services (e.g., Gold Key Service, International Partner Search with Virtual Introductions, Single Company Promotion, International Company Profile, trade missions and other export matchmaking services, etc.)

  • Cost of compliance testing an existing product for entry into an export market (e.g., CE testing, certification, and/or compliance auditing)

  • Design of export market-specific marketing media (including design and translation of brochures, targeted advertising in industry-appropriate media, including digital marketing activities, etc. – does not include printing or design of video content)

  • Localization of web sites for target export markets (including translation of web sites, technical localization, e-Commerce fees, and search engine optimization for export markets)

  • Export credit insurance policy fees through the Export-Import Bank of the U.S.

  • Attorney fees for review of international distributor agreements (review work and billing must take place within STEP 12 dates)
     

Grant proceeds will not cover certain activities, including but not limited to: routine business operation and infrastructure-related expenses, domestic trade shows and conferences, travel expenses, staffing related costs, and more. Applications for vague or ineligible activities will be automatically disqualified.

Small businesses engaged in STEP-supported export activities must be an export-ready U.S. company seeking to export goods or services of U.S. origin or have at least 51% U.S. content. STEP applicants should reference existing U.S. government regulatory guidance for determination of U.S. content.

For questions on the STEP application process, please contact the Massachusetts Export Center by clicking here. Thank you!

 

Funded in part through a grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration
SBA