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Illinois State Trade and Export Promotion Program (ISTEP)
Industry-Specific · Illinois DCEO, Office of Trade and Investment · IL
The Illinois State Trade and Export Promotion Program (ISTEP) is a state reimbursement program run by Illinois DCEO that covers 50-75% of eligible export costs, up to $5,000-$10,000 per activity, for small Illinois businesses looking to grow international sales.
The Illinois State Trade and Export Promotion Program (ISTEP) is a state-run reimbursement program administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Office of Trade and Investment. It is designed to help Illinois small businesses grow their export sales by offsetting some of the costs involved in entering or expanding into foreign markets.
Rather than providing an upfront cash grant, ISTEP works as a reimbursement mechanism: eligible businesses can recover 50-75% of qualifying export-related expenses, with caps ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 per activity. Costs that may be covered include participation in trade missions, foreign sales trips, obtaining compliance certifications required for international sales, localizing a company website for overseas customers, and purchasing export credit insurance. The program is partially funded through the federal SBA State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) grant, tying it into a broader national effort to support small exporters.
For a small-business owner considering international sales, this program matters because export activities often carry real up-front costs and risks that can discourage smaller firms from pursuing overseas customers. ISTEP is meant to lower that barrier by sharing some of the financial burden after the fact, once eligible costs are incurred.
Because funding levels, award amounts, and application rounds can change year to year, businesses should confirm current details directly with DCEO before planning around specific dollar figures. This listing describes the program as of 2026 based on available program information, and applicants should verify the latest terms, open application rounds, and any updated eligibility requirements at the official Illinois DCEO website before applying.
Who qualifies
How to apply
Questions people ask
Is ISTEP a grant or a loan?
It's structured as a reimbursement program rather than a traditional cash grant or a loan — you pay eligible export costs first and then get reimbursed.
Do I have to repay the funds?
No, this is a reimbursement of costs already incurred, not a loan that needs repayment.
Who is eligible?
Illinois-headquartered small businesses with fewer than 500 employees, at least one year of operations, and products/services that are at least 51% U.S. and 25% Illinois content.
How much can I get reimbursed?
The program reimburses 50-75% of eligible export costs, capped at $5,000 to $10,000 per activity.
What costs are covered?
Trade missions, foreign sales trips, compliance certifications, website localization for foreign markets, and export credit insurance.
What is the deadline to apply?
The listing says to check current rounds; confirm exact deadlines at the official DCEO site.
Where do I apply?
Through the Illinois DCEO ISTEP program page at https://dceo.illinois.gov/smallbizassistance/export/istepprogram.html.
Is this a federal or state program?
It's a state program run by Illinois DCEO, partially funded by the federal SBA STEP grant.
Is the reimbursement taxable?
Confirm at the source — tax treatment isn't specified in the available program information.
Can businesses outside Illinois apply?
No, eligibility is limited to Illinois-headquartered businesses.
Does my business need prior export experience?
The eligibility criteria don't mention required export experience, only business size, age, and content-origin requirements — confirm at the source.
Is funding guaranteed if I qualify?
Not specified; funding availability and rounds should be confirmed with DCEO, as amounts and rounds can change.
Opportunity number: not published. Source: curated + verified (official state source, 2026). GetFundedUSA is independent and not affiliated with Illinois DCEO, Office of Trade and Investment; always confirm current deadlines, amounts and eligibility on the sponsor's own page before applying.