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Puerto Rico State Trade Expansion Program (PR-STEP)
Industry-Specific · DDEC PromoExport Division, in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) · PR
PR-STEP is a federally funded export-promotion grant for export-ready small businesses in Puerto Rico, administered by DDEC's PromoExport Division in partnership with the SBA, and it helps cover costs like trade missions and international marketing.
The Puerto Rico State Trade Expansion Program (PR-STEP) is a federally funded export-promotion grant program administered locally by the DDEC PromoExport Division, in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). It is designed to help export-ready small businesses in Puerto Rico begin or expand their sales into international markets.
The program works by reimbursing eligible export-related costs, such as participation in trade missions, foreign market entry activities, and international marketing efforts. Because the funding comes from the SBA and is passed through to Puerto Rico via DDEC, the exact award amounts vary depending on the approved export activity and the funding available in a given round — no fixed dollar figures are specified in program materials reviewed here.
This grant matters to small-business owners in Puerto Rico because expanding into export markets can be expensive, particularly the costs of travel, translation, foreign trade show fees, and marketing materials tailored to new markets. A reimbursement grant like PR-STEP can lower the financial barrier to testing or growing an export strategy without taking on new debt, since it is structured as a grant rather than a loan.
Eligibility is limited to export-ready small businesses located in Puerto Rico that are seeking to enter or expand in international markets. The program is territory-level, meaning it is specific to Puerto Rico and administered through DDEC rather than directly through SBA offices elsewhere.
Because award amounts, application rounds, and specific eligibility documentation requirements are not fully detailed in the current listing, applicants should confirm current details — including whether a round is currently open — directly at the official DDEC PromoExport program page before applying.
Who qualifies
How to apply
Questions people ask
Is this a grant or a loan?
It is a grant — specifically a reimbursement-style grant for export-related costs, not a loan.
Do I have to repay the funds?
No, as a grant it does not need to be repaid, though funds are typically reimbursed against approved export expenses.
Who is eligible?
Export-ready small businesses located in Puerto Rico seeking to enter or expand in international markets.
How much funding can I get?
The award amount varies by approved export activity; no fixed floor or ceiling is specified, so confirm current amounts at the official source.
What is the deadline to apply?
The listing says to check current rounds; confirm the specific deadline at the official DDEC site.
Where do I apply?
Applications are handled through DDEC's PromoExport division at https://www.desarrollo.pr.gov/programas-federales.
Who administers this program?
DDEC's PromoExport Division administers it locally, in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, which provides the federal funding.
Is this available outside Puerto Rico?
No, this program is specific to Puerto Rico.
What costs does it cover?
It can help offset costs like trade missions, foreign market entry, and international marketing activities.
Is my business required to already be exporting?
The eligibility description specifies 'export-ready' businesses seeking to enter or expand in international markets; confirm specific readiness requirements at the source.
Is the grant taxable?
This is not addressed in the available information; confirm at the official source or with a tax advisor.
What industries does this apply to?
The listing categorizes this as industry-specific, focused on exporting rather than one particular sector; confirm scope at the official source.
Opportunity number: not published. Source: curated + verified (official territory source, 2026). GetFundedUSA is independent and not affiliated with DDEC PromoExport Division, in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA); always confirm current deadlines, amounts and eligibility on the sponsor's own page before applying.