STEP Financial Assistance Awards 2026-27 (Maine International Trade Center)
Maine International Trade Center (MITC), funded through the SBA State Trade Expansion Program
$3,000 to $8,000 (reimbursed, 25% match)
Reimburses 75% of export costs, $3,000 to $8,000, for Maine small businesses at least a year old. Applications open November 16, 2026.
Maine International Trade Center reimburses Maine-based small businesses for export growth costs such as international trade shows, matchmaking, export training and compliance consulting. Awards are $3,000 to $8,000 and cover 75% of eligible costs, so the company puts in a 25% match and pays everything up front. Applications open November 16, 2026 and are reviewed first-come, first-served while funds last. The project activity period runs December 15, 2026 to August 30, 2027. Reimbursements depend on MITC receiving federal funds from the SBA.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- $3,000 – $8,000
- Realistic amount
- $3,000 to $8,000; a $3,000 award needs at least $4,000 in paid eligible costs.
- Deadline
- Applications open November 16, 2026; reviewed first-come, first-served while funding lasts. No closing date published.
- Status
- upcoming
- States
- ME
Who qualifies
- Maine-based for-profit company that pays taxes in Maine (nonprofits, educational institutions and cannabis businesses are not eligible)
- Manufacture or perform at least 51% of the covered good or service in Maine
- Export-ready, exporting goods or services with 51% or more U.S. content
- In business at least 1 year
- Meets the SBA definition of a small business
- Not receiving other federal or state funding for the same project
- Has the resources to cover project costs up front
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Trade show booth costs, interpreters, shipping and registration fees (limit 2)
- Digital marketing in a foreign market and lead generation
- Consultants to schedule international B2B matchmaking
- Export skills training registration fees (limit 2)
- Compliance testing or certification consultants (e.g. ITAR, CE Marking, ISO 9000)
- Export compliance plan or audit
- Legal, marketing and tax experts for market-entry strategy
Ineligible expenses
- Travel (airfare, lodging, meals, baggage, passports, vaccinations)
- Ground transportation
- Printed marketing collateral
- Product to sell at a trade show
- New product development
- Capital or equipment purchases
- Payments to conflicted parties, cash or reward-point payments
- Projects in OFAC-sanctioned countries
How to apply
-
1
Talk to a MITC Trade Specialist
Recommended before applying, to confirm eligibility and fit.
~1 hrs
-
2
Create an account in the MITC funding portal
Needed to save and submit applications.
~10 min
-
3
Submit the online application
Project name, description, up to 4 target countries, dates, estimated cost, how it builds export capacity; plus small business self-representation, W-9, U.S. content form, and a scope of work if a contractor is paid.
~2 hrs
Review is first-come, first-served and the application takes about 20 minutes, so have the W-9, U.S. content form and any contractor scope of work ready before November 16.
Deadline & timing
Project activity period December 15, 2026 to August 30, 2027. Funds cannot cover costs incurred before October 1, 2026 or before the award notification date. After activity ends, invoices and the survey are due to MITC within 30 days.
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Required documents
- Self-representation as an Eligible Small Business Concern
- W-9
- U.S. content form
- Scope of work from any third-party contractor paid with award funds
- Online application (project description, target countries, dates, estimated cost, export capacity plan)
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