Official Site of The State of New Jersey

NJ STEP Grant Details:

The New Jersey State Trade Expansion Program (NJ STEP) is a stepping stone grant to assist small businesses for long term sustainable success. This grant provides financial awards on a first come, first served, competitive basis. Both new to exporting and existing exporters that are qualified and eligible may be able to receive financial assistance in several allowable activities. The financial assistance is a reimbursement incentive

What Activities Are Covered By The Grant?

Eligible businesses for the New Jersey State Trade Expansion Program (NJ STEP) will be considered to receive financial awards to partially offset export promotion costs such as:

• Foreign Trade Missions
• Reverse Trade Missions
• U.S. Department of Commerce Subscription Services
• Website / SEO / Localization
• International Marketing Media Design
• Trade Show Exhibition
• Export Training Workshops

Why Should You Export? ¹

95% of the world’s potential consumers are outside of the United States! To be truly competitive, companies must consider targeting markets abroad.

• Exporting is profitable. It can help grow your bottom line
• Exporting can help you increase your competitiveness in all markets – domestic and global
• Exporting can help you access new markets and new consumers
• Exporting can help you extend and broaden your customer base.
• Exporting helps businesses learn how to compete more successfully.  
• If you have a web presence, you have a global marketing and international sales platform.

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How Do I Know If I Qualify?

For NJ STEP consideration, your business must be:

• Registered in, and domestic to, New Jersey
  • NJ Business Registration Certificate Look-Up
  • New Businesses - Register Your Business
• Small as defined by the SBA
  • SBA Size Standards Tool
• In business for at least one (1) year
• NJ Tax Compliant
  • Taxes and Annual Report
• Manufacturing goods (or producing services) containing at least 51% U.S. content
• Have a DUNS number
• Know your NAICS code (Find Your NAICS Code)
• Have an Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• Have a Unique Entity Identification (UEI) number (Obtain a UEI Number)

How Can I Apply?

Complete and submit a client intake form to the NJ STEP Project Director to confirm eligibility prior to receiving an application. A staff member of the Office of Export Promotion will review your intake form and respond to discuss your company and the next steps.

NJ STEP uses an electronic platform for applications, the link will be sent upon approval of eligibility from our talented advocates. Or, you can call the Business Action Center to be connected to a Global Business Advocate about the New Jersey State Trade Expansion Program at 1-800-JERSEY-7.

For more details, download the NJ State Trade Expansion Program Information Page.
(Available in English or Spanish)

• Office of Export Promotion / NJ STEP
• Página de información de NJ STEP

 

The New Jersey State Trade Expansion Program is funded in part through a grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The Office of Export Promotion will be happy to walk you through the eligibility and application process.

Marielle Wolf, NJ STEP Project Director, Global Business Advocate

William Spear, Office of Export Promotion Manager, NJ STEP Project Manager

Jean Chang, Global Business Advocate

Sophie Werner, Global Business Advocate

 

 

ADDITIONAL EXPORT RESOURCE:

• U.S. SBA Office of International Trade: www.sba.gov/office-international-trade
• U.S. SBA Office of Entrepreneurial Development: www.sba.gov/office-entrepreneurial-development
• Exporting: www.business.nj.gov/pages/exporting
• Export Solutions: www.trade.gov/export-solutions
• Determine Export Readiness:  https://www.trade.gov/exporter-assessments
• Select Target Markets: https://www.trade.gov/international-market-research
• Create an Export Plan: https://www.trade.gov/develop-export-plan
• Learn How to Export:  https://www.trade.gov/learn-how-export