Empire State Development (ESD) is working in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to increase the number of small businesses that begin to export; increase the value of exports for small businesses that currently export; and increase the number of small businesses exploring significant new trade opportunities.

Approved STEP funds can assist New York State businesses with:

• Participation in programmed foreign trade missions
• Subscription to services provided by the Department of Commerce
• Trade show exhibition (international and qualified domestic trade shows)
• Participation in export training workshops
• Qualified foreign market sales trips
• Website Content/Foreign Language Translation
• Development of International Marketing Campaign(s)
• Compliance Testing
• Consultancy Services
• Export Credit Insurance Premium Reimbursement

* Speaking engagements at a conference is an ineligible activity

Eligibility Qualifications

• Must be a for-profit business, headquartered and registered to do business in New York State with the New York State Department of State
• Must maintain a physical employee presence within NYS
• Must have been in operation for at least one year prior to the application date
• Must be in good standing with all New York State government agencies
• The business must possess sufficient financial resources to cover trade-related costs
• Products or services must be export-ready and currently sold in the U.S. or international markets
• The export product/service must contain at least 51% United States content, as defined by the program's calculation guidelines (noted on the following page)
• A business must manufacture, assemble, or distribute the product (or provide an exportable service). Non-manufacturers must hold documented rights to export as an authorized distributor.
• Must qualify as an “eligible small business concern” under SBA size standards. Note that parent and subsidiary company data must be included in this calculation.
• Must not be currently debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from participation by any federal department or other agency.
• Eligibility may be further verified through site visits or telephone/video interviews conducted by ESD.

Ineligible Industries (include but are not limited to)

1. Businesses acting as intermediaries for other companies
2. Law firms
3. Non-profit organizations
4. Educational institutions
5. Companies involved with cannabis
6. Retail
7. Companies that are recruiting foreign investment

The funding period for the STEP 12 program is September 30, 2024 – August 31, 2026.  Each company may receive a maximum combined award total of up to $10,000 per funding period. STEP awards are issued on a first-come, first-served basis until the program funds are expended.

Click here to download the guidelines

ESD will review applications and provide an eligibility determination within 30 business days of receipt. Please ensure all sections are complete and signatures are provided where required; incomplete applications will not be processed. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with an International Trade Manager prior to submission to ensure alignment with program requirements.

1. How do I know if the company is eligible to receive a grant?
   Review the guidelines document for the eligibility criteria. The company should also contact their regional trade representative with specific questions. 
2. When should the company submit an application?
   Submit the application as soon as possible, but no less than 30 days before your activity begins. Submitting an application does not guarantee approval. 
3. What should the company do if they are having issues technical issues with the application form?
   The company should email [email protected] with any technical issues.
4. Can the company submit an application for an activity that has already been completed or is in process?
   No, this program does not allow for reimbursement of retroactive trade activities that have already been completed or are in process. Applications should only be submitted for future activities. A company should not begin incurring costs prior to submitting an application.
5. What is the amount of funding that is available to a company?
   Grants range from $2,000–$5,000 per activity. A company may apply for up to three activities per year, with a total annual cap of $10,000.
6. When should the company expect to hear back on the application status?
   The company will receive a status update in 30 business days.
7. If the company is approved to travel, are there restrictions on flights?
   Yes, a flight must be basic economy on a U.S. carrier (compliant with the Fly America Act).
8. If the company is approved to travel, are there limitations on lodging costs?
   Yes, nightly lodging rates cannot exceed the U.S. Department of State or U.S. General Services Administration limits. 
9. If the company is approved to travel, are there limitations on the amount of employees that can travel?
   Yes, reimbursement is limited to one company employee.
10. What is the reimbursement amount provided to a company?
    The program covers up to 50% of eligible costs, subject to the maximum allowance for your specific activity. All submitted expense documentation is subject to approval and may be denied at Global NY’s discretion.
11. How should expenses related to the program be paid?
    All expenses must be directly paid by the company. Any expenses paid through a personal financial account are not eligible for reimbursement.

Note: All information is subject to change. Always consult your regional trade representative before incurring costs or submitting an application. 

Complete the electronic STEP 12 application by clicking here. The application will take about 45 minutes to complete and must be completed in one session, there is no option to save and complete later. Click here to review important information, including a preview of the required questions, prior beginning the application. 

As of June 16, 2025 all STEP funding has been allocated. Any applications submitted on or after June 16, 2025 will be placed on a waiting list. If funds become available in the future, the company will be contacted.

Reimbursement

Upon completing an awarded trade activity, companies must submit all eligible receipts and proofs of payment as one single, combined PDF. Please note that ESD does not provide partial reimbursements; documents should only be submitted once the activity is fully concluded.

To receive payment, grantees must email a comprehensive reimbursement package to Global NY upon the completion of the awarded activity.

1. Required Documentation
   1. Formal Invoices: Must be on company letterhead and include the grantee’s name/address, detailed scope of work, date, invoice number, and total cost.
   2. Proof of Payment: Acceptable documents include bank statements, credit card statements, or wire transfer confirmations. Relevant charges must be clearly highlighted.
      1. Transactions must originate from the grantee’s business account (personal account payments are ineligible).
      2. Financial Statements: Statements must display the business name and address of the NY based STEP grantee. Any payments made through a personal financial account are not eligible for reimbursement.
2. Project Reporting
   1. A completed Project Impact Report (PIR) must be submitted alongside your financial documentation for data collection.
   2. A secondary PIR will be required at a later date to capture long-term performance statistics.

Processing

Following the expense review, reimbursement typically takes six weeks to process. Please note the following terms:

• Grant recipients may receive a 1099 tax form in connection with the award.
• Global NY reserves the right to request additional supporting documentation and to void grants if records appear altered.
• All submissions are subject to review; reimbursement remains at the sole discretion of Global NY and may be denied at ESD’s discretion. 

Companies should assess their export readiness before entering their first markets, expanding into additional markets, or taking on more challenging, high-growth export markets.  

The following links may be helpful when determining the export readiness of a company and gaining additional export education: Exporter Assessments, International Trade Administration, Global Trade Helpdesk, Connect Americas Academy, SheTrades, Export-U and Learn How To Export.

If you have any questions please contact us: (212) 803-2300 or [email protected].

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

Federal Funding Disclosures – In accordance with Section 632 of Public Law 117-328

State Trade Expansion Program (STEP 12)

• Federal Share: 75% ($900,000)
• Non-Federal Share / State Funding: 25% ($300,000)
• Total Program Cost: $1,200,000