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State Trade Expansion Program.

SBA awards STEP funds to states and territories, which then help eligible small businesses pay for approved export-development activities.

Offered bySBA Office of Manufacturing and Tradeverified 2026-07-10

Overview

What it does.

A Chester business cannot apply to SBA directly. It must use a current Illinois STEP program or other approved state delivery channel, whose rules, reimbursement terms, cost share, and application window control access.

Best for: Small Illinois businesses preparing to enter or expand in international markets.

Eligibility

Who and what may qualify.

Eligible applicants

  • Eligible state and territory government entities as direct SBA applicants
  • Qualifying small businesses served by a current state STEP awardee

Applicants excluded by the source

  • Small businesses seeking a direct grant from SBA

Eligible uses

  • Export training
  • Foreign trade missions
  • International marketing
  • Website globalization and e-commerce
  • Export trade shows
  • Eligible federal export services

Uses excluded by the source

  • General domestic operating costs
  • Activities outside the state awardee's approved export plan

Application

How to start.

  1. Check SBA's current STEP awardee information for Illinois
  2. Confirm the state program's open window and eligible export expenses
  3. Apply to the state administering entity before incurring costs

Timing: Illinois availability and deadlines require confirmation for the current STEP award period.

Planning notes

Limits to account for.

  • SBA does not provide STEP grants directly to businesses
  • Preapproval may be required before expenses are incurred
  • State reimbursement and matching rules vary

May complement U.S. Commercial Service or other export assistance, but the same expense cannot be reimbursed twice.

Evidence

Official sources.