Nevada Export Grant (State Trade Expansion Program / STEP)

The Nevada Export Grant, also known as the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), is a reimbursement grant program run by the Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED), International Trade Division. It is funded through the U.S. Small Business Administration's competitive STEP program and is designed to help Nevada-based small businesses enter or expand into international markets.

Unlike upfront funding, this grant works on a reimbursement basis: businesses first incur eligible export-related expenses—such as attending trade shows, export marketing activities, or overseas expansion efforts—and then submit documentation to GOED to be reimbursed after the fact. The exact award amount varies depending on the round and documented expenses, and applicants should confirm current funding levels directly with GOED.

This program matters to small-business owners who are export-ready and looking to grow beyond domestic markets but need help offsetting the costs of international business development. Because it's a reimbursement model, businesses need to be prepared to front the costs before receiving funds back.

Eligibility is limited to Nevada-based businesses that have been operating for at least one year and whose products or services contain at least 51% U.S. content. Since this is a state-administered program tied to a federal funding source, application rounds and deadlines can vary from year to year, so interested businesses should check GOED's official site for current openings, exact award amounts, and any additional requirements before applying. Details noted here should be confirmed at the source, as funding availability and terms may change year to year.