Alabama’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)
Alabama’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) supports Alabama small and medium-sized businesses by funding export marketing and compliance expenses to launch or expand sales in foreign markets.
This grant was recently updated
Applicants no longer need to be headquartered in Alabama. Funding disclosures removed the $600,000 program for September 30, 2024–September 29, 2026 and added a $266,666.67 program for September 30, 2026–September 29, 2027.
Funder: Alabama Department of Commerce
Due Dates: September 29, 2027 (end of both disclosed funding periods)
Funding Amounts: Reimbursement of pre-approved export expenses; federal program allocations of $424,000 and $200,000
Summary: STEP helps Alabama small and medium-sized businesses launch or expand exports through reimbursement of eligible export marketing expenses.
Key Information: All activities require pre-approval, and all documentation must be collected before funds are spent.
Description
Alabama’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) assists eligible small and medium-sized Alabama businesses with launching or expanding export activities. The Alabama Department of Commerce’s Office of Global Business administers the program on behalf of the state, with funding provided in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Its goals are to increase the number of businesses exporting, raise the value of Alabama goods and services sold abroad, and help companies explore new foreign markets.
STEP reimburses pre-approved export marketing expenses, including trade missions and trade shows, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service programs, and international website translation, localization, and search engine optimization. It also supports export credit insurance policy fees and testing, certification, CE marking, and other compliance fees needed to meet foreign market requirements.
