Applications accepted through August 15, 2016

The Connecticut State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) grant program aims to provide finding to eligible small businesses for participation in export opportunities. The program goal is to aid companies in expanding their export initiatives and to increase eligible Connecticut companies’ export sales by spurring participation in export opportunities.

Applications for reimbursement are now being accepted online for the Connecticut General Assistance Fund (GAF) program. GAF FY ’15 allows companies to request reimbursement for various eligible activities including trade shows, trade missions, marketing and internationalization, U.S. Department of Commerce services (Gold Key, International Partner Search, International Company Profile), export training opportunities, and export B2B matchmaking.

Separate applications will also be accepted for targeted participation in Connecticut sponsored booths at the following tradeshows: Medica 2015, Hannover Messe (H2FC) 2016 and the Farnborough Air Show 2016.

Please visit the CT STEP Grant website to review the Program Guidelines and to access the FY ’15 Application Portal. Applications will need to be submitted for approval, prior to any proposed export activity and no later than August 15, 2016.

All approved export activities must be completed prior to September 29, 2016. Final reimbursement requests must be submitted back to the Department of Economic and Community Development for processing within two (2) weeks of a completed activity and no later than October 13, 2016.