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Export Montana State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)
Industry-Specific · Montana Department of Commerce (Export Montana) · MT
The Export Montana State Trade Expansion Program is a reimbursement grant from the Montana Department of Commerce that helps Montana small businesses recover a portion of costs tied to international exporting activities, like trade shows and market research, up to $30,000 per year.
The Export Montana State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) is a reimbursement grant for Montana small businesses that are exporting or entering international markets. It is administered by the Montana Department of Commerce's Export Montana office, using funding that originates from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Rather than providing upfront cash, the program reimburses businesses for a portion of eligible export-related expenses after they are incurred. According to the program details, reimbursement covers roughly 50-75% of eligible fees, up to $10,000 per activity and up to $30,000 per year. Eligible costs typically relate to international marketing efforts, such as participating in trade shows, conducting market research, or building e-commerce capabilities to reach overseas buyers — though applicants should confirm the current list of qualifying activities directly with Export Montana.
This program matters to small-business owners because exporting can require significant upfront spending on travel, translation, certifications, or online marketplace fees before any international sales materialize. A reimbursement grant like this lowers the financial risk of testing new export markets by returning a share of those costs after the fact.
Because this is a reimbursement model, businesses must pay for eligible activities first and then submit for reimbursement — it is not a lump-sum award paid in advance. Application rounds, exact reimbursement percentages, and available funding can change year to year, so applicants should check the official Export Montana page for current round dates, deadlines, and documentation requirements before applying or incurring expenses they hope to have reimbursed.
Who qualifies
How to apply
Questions people ask
Is this a grant or a loan?
It is a grant, not a loan — funds do not need to be repaid.
Do I have to pay the money back?
No, but it is a reimbursement grant, meaning you pay eligible expenses first and then get reimbursed for a portion.
Who is eligible?
Montana small businesses that are engaged in or entering international exporting activities; confirm specifics at the official source.
How much money can I get?
Reimbursement covers about 50-75% of eligible export fees, up to $10,000 per activity and up to $30,000 per year.
Is this upfront cash?
No, it is reimbursement-based — you incur the expense first, then apply for reimbursement.
What expenses are covered?
The summary mentions international marketing costs such as trade shows, market research, and e-commerce; confirm the full eligible expense list at the source.
What is the deadline to apply?
The deadline is listed as 'check current rounds' — confirm current application windows at the official site.
Who runs this program?
It is administered by the Montana Department of Commerce's Export Montana office, using funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Which businesses/states are eligible?
This program is limited to businesses in Montana (MT).
Where do I apply?
Apply and find details at https://commerce.mt.gov/Business/Expand/Export-Montana/Grants-for-Exporters/.
Is the grant amount taxable?
The provided facts do not address tax treatment — confirm at the official source or with a tax professional.
Can I apply multiple times per year?
The program allows up to $30,000 per year, suggesting multiple activities may be reimbursed, but confirm application frequency rules at the source.
Do I need to already be exporting to apply?
Eligibility covers businesses 'engaged in or entering' exporting, so both current and new exporters may qualify — confirm details at the source.
Opportunity number: not published. Source: curated + verified (official state source, 2026). GetFundedUSA is independent and not affiliated with Montana Department of Commerce (Export Montana); always confirm current deadlines, amounts and eligibility on the sponsor's own page before applying.