Delaware Compass Grant
Export Delaware, Delaware Department of State
$10,000 per fiscal year per company (50% reimbursement)
Up to $10,000/year reimbursement for Delaware small businesses expanding into international markets.
The Delaware Compass Grant reimburses up to 50% of pre-approved, eligible international marketing expenses for Delaware small businesses, capped at $10,000 per fiscal year per company. It is designed for export-ready companies—not startups—that have a physical operation and employees in Delaware, a U.S. citizen applicant, and a product made in the USA with at least 51% U.S. content. Eligible uses include overseas trade-show booths, international travel, market research, website localization, and translation.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- $0 – $10,000
- Realistic amount
- $2,500–$10,000 depending on eligible export spending
- Deadline
- Rolling — applications accepted while funds remain; 2026 cycle opened July 1, 2026
- Status
- active
- States
- DE
Who qualifies
- Company must have physical operations and employees in Delaware (incorporated-in-Delaware-only companies without operations are ineligible)
- Applicant must be a U.S. citizen
- Product must be made in the USA with at least 51% U.S. content
- Company must meet SBA size standards for its NAICS code
- Company must have been in business for at least one year
- Company must demonstrate understanding of export costs and have a strategic export plan
- Export-ready small business; not open to startups
Who is not eligible
- Startups and businesses operating less than one year
- Companies incorporated in Delaware without physical operations or employees in the state
- Non-U.S. citizen applicants
- Businesses whose products do not meet the 51% U.S. content requirement
- Businesses that do not meet SBA size standards
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Overseas trade-show booth fees
- International travel (airfare and hotel) for client/distributor visits
- Customized international market reports
- U.S. Commercial Service International Partner Search fees
- CE Mark certification fees
- Product manual translation
- Website localization for foreign markets
- Export Delaware business-trip expenses
Ineligible expenses
- Domestic-only marketing
- Expenses incurred before grant approval
- Startup launch costs
- Personal travel
How to apply
-
1
Confirm eligibility and export readiness
Review the Compass Grant eligibility checklist and take the Export Delaware export-readiness assessment. Ensure your business has a physical Delaware operation, a U.S. citizen applicant, and a product with 51% U.S. content.
~0.5 hrs
-
2
Submit pre-approval application
Complete the online Compass Grant application listing the requested amount and the proposed international marketing activities. Wait for written approval before incurring any expenses.
~2 hrs
-
3
Execute approved international activities
Conduct the approved export project or trip, keeping all receipts and documentation. Only pre-approved expenses are eligible for reimbursement.
-
4
Submit reimbursement request
Submit itemized receipts and proof of payment to Export Delaware within the required timeframe. Reimbursement is 50% of eligible costs up to the approved grant amount.
~1 hrs
-
5
Receive reimbursement
Export Delaware processes the request and reimburses 50% of approved eligible expenses, up to $10,000 for the fiscal year.
All expenses must be pre-approved in writing before you spend; Compass reimburses 50%, so budget the full project cost and apply for the minimum you need.
Deadline & timing
Compass Grant runs on the state fiscal year; the 2026 cycle opened July 1, 2026. Expenses must be pre-approved before they are incurred.
Required documents
- Completed Compass Grant application
- Proof of Delaware physical operation and employees
- Documentation of U.S. citizenship of applicant
- Evidence that product meets 51% U.S. content requirement
- Detailed export plan and budget
- Itemized receipts and proof of payment for reimbursement
Related programs
Also open right now
Alternatives computed from the live GrantCompass catalog on August 24, 2026 — all 165 open grant programs · filter the database.
Explore more funding
Researched and verified 2026-08-24 against the official program source. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.