Opportunity Information: Apply for SB OITST 25 001
The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to help states strengthen and grow small business exporting. STEP was made a permanent part of the Small Business Act through the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (HR 644), which was signed into law on February 24, 2016. In practical terms, this program gives funding to state governments (and equivalents) so they can operate or expand export development projects that directly support eligible small business concerns (ESBCs), using the program definitions referenced in the solicitation (including ESBCs and what counts as significant new trade opportunities).
The core purpose of STEP is export expansion, and the program is structured around three main outcomes. First, it aims to increase the number of U.S. small businesses that export at all, meaning it focuses on helping companies begin exporting or become active exporters. Second, it targets growth in the total dollar value of exports generated by U.S. small businesses, reflecting an emphasis on measurable economic results rather than only outreach. Third, it seeks to increase the number of small businesses that are exploring significant new trade opportunities, which generally means helping firms pursue meaningful entry or expansion into new international markets or channels, consistent with the definition cited in the funding notice.
Eligibility for applicants is limited to state governments. That means individual companies do not apply to SBA directly under this opportunity; instead, the state (or a state-designated entity acting as the equivalent) applies for the grant and then uses the award to deliver export assistance services and programs to eligible small businesses within that jurisdiction. The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity focus is categorized under Business and Commerce and Community Development, reflecting both economic growth and broader local or statewide development impacts.
This particular opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Title "STATE TRADE EXPANSION PROGRAM (STEP)" with Funding Opportunity Number "SB OITST 25 001" and CFDA number 59.061. The opportunity was created on 2025-06-16 and has an original closing date of 2025-07-31. The expected scale is substantial: SBA anticipates making about 55 awards, with an award ceiling of $900,000 per award. Overall, the solicitation is designed to fund state-led initiatives that help small businesses start exporting, export more, and pursue new international market opportunities, with the intent that states build practical, on-the-ground support that translates into measurable export outcomes.Apply for SB OITST 25 001
- The Small Business Administration in the business and commerce, community development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "STATE TRADE EXPANSION PROGRAM (STEP)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 59.061.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2025-06-16.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-07-31. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $900,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 55 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)
What is the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)?
The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that provides funding to states so they can strengthen and grow small business exporting through export development projects that directly support eligible small business concerns (ESBCs).
Who runs STEP?
STEP is run by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Is STEP a permanent federal program?
Yes. STEP was made a permanent part of the Small Business Act through the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act of 2015 (HR 644), which was signed into law on February 24, 2016.
What is the main purpose of STEP?
The core purpose of STEP is export expansion. The program funds state-led efforts that help small businesses begin exporting, export more, and pursue meaningful expansion into new international market opportunities.
What outcomes is STEP designed to achieve?
STEP is structured around three main outcomes:
- Increasing the number of U.S. small businesses that export (helping firms begin exporting or become active exporters).
- Increasing the total dollar value of exports generated by U.S. small businesses (emphasizing measurable export results).
- Increasing the number of small businesses exploring significant new trade opportunities (supporting meaningful entry or expansion into new international markets or channels, consistent with the definition in the funding notice).
Who can apply for this grant?
Eligibility for applicants is limited to state governments. States (and equivalents, including a state-designated entity acting as the equivalent) apply for the grant.
Can individual small businesses apply directly to SBA for STEP funding?
No. Individual companies do not apply to SBA directly under this opportunity. The state applies for the grant and then uses the award to deliver export assistance services and programs to eligible small businesses within that jurisdiction.
How does STEP funding reach small businesses if they cannot apply directly?
Under this opportunity, the state (or a state-designated equivalent entity) receives the SBA grant and uses the funds to operate or expand export development projects that directly support eligible small business concerns (ESBCs) in that state or jurisdiction.
What types of projects does STEP support?
STEP supports export development projects run by states that directly support eligible small business concerns (ESBCs). These projects are intended to create on-the-ground assistance that results in measurable export outcomes, such as new exporters, increased export sales, or engagement with significant new trade opportunities.
What does "eligible small business concerns (ESBCs)" mean in this solicitation?
The program uses definitions referenced in the solicitation, including how ESBCs are defined and what counts as "significant new trade opportunities." The information provided here indicates that states must use those referenced definitions when designing and delivering STEP-funded support.
What does "significant new trade opportunities" mean in STEP?
STEP includes an outcome focused on increasing the number of small businesses exploring significant new trade opportunities. In general terms, this refers to helping firms pursue meaningful entry or expansion into new international markets or channels, consistent with the definition cited in the funding notice.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What activity areas does this opportunity fall under?
The activity focus is categorized under Business and Commerce and Community Development, reflecting both export-driven economic growth and broader local or statewide development impacts.
What is the official funding opportunity title?
The Funding Opportunity Title is "STATE TRADE EXPANSION PROGRAM (STEP)".
What is the funding opportunity number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is "SB OITST 25 001".
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number is 59.061.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2025-06-16.
What is the original closing date for this opportunity?
The original closing date is 2025-07-31.
How many awards does SBA expect to make?
SBA anticipates making about 55 awards under this solicitation.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $900,000 per award.
What is the overall scale and intent of the solicitation?
The solicitation is designed to fund state-led initiatives at substantial scale, enabling states to build or expand practical export support that translates into measurable export outcomes for eligible small businesses.
What is the practical role of state governments in STEP?
In practical terms, STEP provides funding to state governments (and equivalents) so they can operate or expand export development projects that directly support eligible small business concerns, using the program definitions referenced in the solicitation.
Does STEP focus only on outreach and education?
No. While STEP supports export development efforts, the program emphasizes measurable economic results, including increases in the number of exporters and growth in the total dollar value of exports generated by U.S. small businesses.
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