active State Grant

West Virginia State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Export Grant

West Virginia Division of Economic Development, Office of International Development

$15,000 per funding period

See if you qualify — free Visit official program ↗

The short version

Up to $15,000 reimbursement for West Virginia small businesses pursuing export opportunities.

West Virginia STEP provides reimbursement grants to help small businesses enter or expand in global markets. The current funding period runs October 1, 2024 through September 29, 2026, with a maximum reimbursement of $15,000 per STEP client for qualifying export promotion activities such as international trade shows, foreign sales trips, and market research. Eligible businesses must be located in West Virginia, registered with the Secretary of State, and in good standing with the State Tax Department.

Funding type: Grant
Level: State
Amount range: $0 – $15,000
Realistic amount: $5,000–$15,000 depending on approved export activity
Deadline: Funding period ends September 29, 2026; submit STEP Client Registration and Event Application at least 3 weeks before the proposed activity
Status: active
States: WV

Who qualifies

Organized or incorporated in the United States and organized for profit
Meets U.S. SBA size standards for the applicable NAICS code
Has been in business for at least one year
Has access to sufficient resources to bear trade-related costs (packing, shipping, freight forwarding, customs brokers)
Finished product or qualifying service with at least 51% U.S. content
Located in West Virginia and registered with the West Virginia Secretary of State
In good standing with the West Virginia State Department of Tax and Revenue
Not barred from receiving federal funds
Agrees to complete post-event and yearly performance surveys

Who is not eligible

Businesses not located or registered in West Virginia
Companies not meeting SBA size standards
Businesses with less than one year of operation
Companies barred from receiving federal funds
Businesses whose products/services do not meet 51% U.S. content

What it covers

Eligible expenses

International trade-show booth fees and exhibit space
Foreign travel (airfare, lodging, per diem) for up to two employees
Customized market research and international partner search
Translation and localization of marketing materials
Export training and certification
Domestic trade shows with international buyer presence

Ineligible expenses

Local travel within 50 miles
Alcoholic beverages
Entertainment costs
First-class airfare upgrades
Costs incurred before approval or outside the funding period

How to apply

1

Complete STEP Client Registration

Submit the once-per-cycle STEP Client Registration form to the West Virginia Division of Economic Development. Required for all first-time applicants in the current funding period.

~0.5 hrs
2

Submit a STEP Event Application

For each proposed export activity, complete the STEP Event Application at least three weeks before the activity begins. Include a detailed itinerary and budget.

~1.5 hrs
3

Receive approval before incurring costs

Wait for email approval from the Export Promotion Program before booking travel or incurring expenses.
4

Execute the approved activity

Participate in the trade show, business trip, or market-research activity. Keep all receipts, itineraries, and proof of payment.
5

Submit reimbursement documentation

Email the post-event survey and itemized receipts with proof of payment to Jesus.Velasco@wv.gov within 30 days of the activity.

~1 hrs

Insider tip

Submit your Event Application at least three weeks early and register as a state vendor with a W-9 on file; reimbursements are first-come, first-served.

Deadline & timing

Applications accepted on a first-come, first-served basis through the funding period ending September 29, 2026. Only expenses incurred within the funding period are reimbursable.

Required documents

STEP Client Registration form
STEP Event Application form
Detailed export activity itinerary and budget
Itemized receipts and proof of payment
W-9 form for vendor registration
Post-event survey

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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.