Department Of Commerce

When applying for our STEP grant for exhibiting at an international trade show or traveling to a foreign market for a U.S. Commercial Service Program, you are also eligible to apply for an International Travel Stipend, up to $2,000.

Deadline

Submit your application at least 30 days before starting the program.

Reimbursement

  • For travel within the U.S., reimbursement up to $500 of travel expenses.
  • For travel outside the U.S., up to $2,000 of travel expenses.

Eligible Small Businesses

To be eligible for the Montana STEP grant, you must:

  • Have been in business for more than one year.
  • Meet the SBA’s definition of a small business.
  • Market products that are of U.S. origin or have at least 51% U.S. content.
  • Show in the STEP application your understanding of the costs associated with exporting and doing business with foreign purchasers, including the costs of freight forwarding, customs brokers, packing and shipping, etc.
  • Agree to provide the program with export activities/results from the grant activities.

Eligible Expenses*

  • Hotel
  • Airfare
  • Mileage
  • Taxi

To request eligibility consideration of other travel expenses, contact Export Montana.

Ineligible Expenses

Any cost not directly related to international trade development and preapproved by this program.

Process

Apply here. Please note, our application process is now fully web based, so you will be directed to access.gov to apply. Please contact our office if you have trouble with the process.

  • You may apply for any of the STEP eligible activities at the same time such as trade shows, translation, USCS services, etc.
  • STEP grant priorities are:
    • Companies new to the STEP grant.
    • Companies with more than two employees.
    • For each company, one STEP grant award for each of the activities per year. Should there be any remaining funds once these priorities are met, funding a company’s applications for additional shows or other activities will be considered.
  • If you need help with any aspect of the application, contact Export Montana.
  • We will confirm receipt of the application within seven days and notify you of approval within 14 days.

Review

  • Export Montana will evaluate applications.
  • Export Montana makes the final decision, at its sole discretion, whether to fund an application, request additional information and request SBA review of the application.
  • Upon award, Export Montana will send the company an agreement email which will outline processes and procedures. 

Receiving Reimbursement

To receive reimbursement for your approved grant, please fill out the reimbursement form by logging into your account at access.gov. Be prepared with your:

  • W9 form – due with reimbursement request
  • Copies of receipts of expenses

Yearly Progress Reports

Export Montana will contact you annually to receive updates on results from the activity.

Export Montana may request additional report updates if needed to monitor the activity and satisfy SBA reporting requirements.