The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), in cooperation with the Small Business Administration (SBA), is now accepting applications for the 2026 State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), a grant opportunity designed to help eligible Texas small businesses expand into international markets and increase export sales.

Deadline to apply online on TDA-GO: Thursday, September 10th, 2026, before 5:00pm.

The STEP Program provides reimbursement funding to support export-related activities such as international trade shows, foreign trade missions, export training, market research, translation services, international marketing, e-commerce initiatives, and other approved export development efforts.

Funding Parameters

  • Up to $20,000 for businesses pursuing Market Expansion (ME) opportunities.
  • Up to $10,000 for businesses that are New to Export (NTE).
  • Company matching requirement (See Requests for Grant Applications).

Key Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

  • Be a Texas-based, for-profit small business.
  • Be organized and operating in the United States.
  • Export U.S.-origin products or services (or products containing at least 51% U.S. content).
  • Have been in business for at least one year.
  • Maintain an active SAM.gov registration and possess a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
  • Be entering a new international market or expanding into a new market segment.

Apply Early

Businesses must submit applications through TDA’s online grants management system, TDA-GO. Applicants are encouraged to create a TDA-GO profile 48-72 hours before applying, and businesses that do not already have a UEI or SAM.gov registration should allow additional time to complete those requirements.

Learn More & Access Application Materials

Visit the STEP Program webpage to review eligibility requirements, download the full Request for Grant Applications, and access application instructions:

APPLY

We encourage eligible Texas small businesses that are ready to grow their international sales to take advantage of this opportunity.

For questions regarding the program, please contact the Texas Department of Agriculture Grants Office at Grants@TexasAgriculture.gov or 833-380-8282.

We look forward to supporting Texas businesses as they expand into global markets.