The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is requesting applications for the STEP program to receive assistance related to export training, consulting, participation in foreign trade missions and trade shows, and other eligible export activities that support foreign market entry.
Donor Name: Texas Department of Agriculture
State: Texas
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 02/29/2024
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The program’s objectives are to increase the number of small businesses that are exporting, and to increase the value of exports for those small businesses that are currently exporting. The Texas State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) program helps small businesses overcome obstacles to exporting by providing grants to cover costs associated with entering and expanding into international markets.
The Export Stipend program is designed to provide flexibility and encourage innovative use of funds to meet the specific export needs of Texas companies.
Events/activities that are eligible and may qualify include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Participation in foreign trade missions (virtual or in person)
- U.S. Commercial Service Programs
- Foreign Trade Show Exhibitions
- Website fees
- Localization/Internationalization Growth Opportunities
- Other export initiatives (preapproval required)
- Participation in export training workshops
- Market Analysis
- E-Commerce
- Design of marketing media
- Brochures
- advertisements in international magazines
- Design of Digital Marketing
- Translation services for website or marketing materials.
Funding Information
Grant awards will be available for no more than $10,000.
Eligibility Criteria
Qualifying Texas companies must:
- Be organized or incorporated in the U.S.
- Operate in the U.S.
- Export-ready U.S. Company seeking to export goods or services of U.S. origin or have at least 51% U.S. Content
- Meet
- the applicable industry-based small business size standard established under section 3 of the Small Business Act; or
- the alternate size standard applicable to the program under section 7(a) of the Small Business Act and the loan program under Title V of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 695 et seq.). SBA size standards are found at 13 C.F.R Part 121.
- Have been in business for not less than one (1) year at the time of application (TDA will verify this information); and
- Demonstrate understanding of the costs associated with exporting and doing business with foreign purchasers, including the costs of freight forwarding, customs brokers, packing and shipping; have in effect a strategic plan for exporting; and, demonstrate export readiness.
Eligible small businesses must meet the following additional criteria to be considered for this program:
- Be a For-Profit Company;
- Be in good standing with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts;
- Have a Federal Identification Number tied to a Texas address;
- Have a product/service manufactured, produced, processed or value-added in Texas; and
- Must be either “new to export” or “market expansion” – that is, the event/activity must help the company to enter a new market or segment, where it does not already have significant export sales.
For more information, visit TDA.
