Alaska STEP — State Trade Expansion Program
Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED)
$1,000–$10,000 per company
Researched for this program: 5 rejection traps · 6 required documentsWhat decides this award ↓
Alaska export cost reimbursement
Alaska's sub-grant under the SBA federal STEP program reimburses Alaska-based small businesses for qualifying international export activities — trade show participation, foreign market entry costs, website translation, and export training. Awards of $1,000 to $10,000 per company, reimbursing 75% of eligible costs. Targeted at Alaska SMBs new to exporting or entering new markets.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- $1,000 – $10,000
- Realistic amount
- Most Alaska STEP recipients receive $3,000–$10,000 per award cycle. First-time exporters attending a single international trade show typically recover $4,000–$7,000 in eligible costs.
- Deadline
- Between rounds — Alaska's last funded period ended Sep 29, 2025 and no new Alaska round is announced. Apply at least 30 days before the export activity once a round opens.
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- AK
- Payment model
- reimbursement
Who qualifies
- For-profit small business meeting SBA size standards for your NAICS code
- Principal place of business in Alaska
- Business in operation for at least 1 year
- Product or service must be at least 51% US-made or assembled content
- Must not already be an established exporter to the target market (program targets new exporters or new markets)
- Cannot have received STEP funding exceeding the program cap in the same fiscal year
Hard requirements
- Must be incorporated
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- International trade show registration fees, booth costs, and shipping of display materials
- Foreign market entry research and consulting fees
- Website translation and localization for foreign markets
- Export compliance training and certification programs
- Foreign language product labeling and adaptation costs
- Travel and lodging for trade missions or trade shows (economy class)
Ineligible expenses
- Domestic trade show or conference costs
- General marketing not specific to an export market
- Merchandise or inventory
- Activities already completed before pre-approval
- Costs for markets where the company already has established export sales
How to apply
-
1
Contact Alaska DCCED trade specialist
Reach out to Alaska DCCED's Division of Economic Development before planning your export activity. Confirm your activity is eligible and get the current application form and funding availability status.
~2 hrs
-
2
Submit pre-approval application
Complete the STEP application with business profile, target export market, proposed activity details, itemized cost estimate, and explanation of how the activity advances international sales. Submit at least 30 days before activity.
~2 hrs
-
3
Receive approval and conduct export activity
Upon approval notification, proceed with the trade show, market visit, translation project, or training program. Retain all receipts and documentation.
~2 hrs
-
4
Submit reimbursement claim with documentation
After completing the activity, submit receipts, proof of payment, and activity report to DCCED. Reimbursement checks typically issued within 30–60 days of approval.
~2 hrs
Pre-approval is mandatory — no retroactive reimbursements. Apply 30+ days before your trade show or market visit. Budget can run out in spring; apply early in the federal fiscal year (October).
Deadline & timing
DCCED requires pre-approval before the export activity takes place — retroactive reimbursements are not allowed. Apply as early as possible; federal STEP funds can run out mid-fiscal year. Program year typically follows federal fiscal year (Oct 1 – Sept 30).
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