The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) is a national export initiative that makes matching-fund awards to states to assist small businesses in entering and expanding into international markets. Administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of International Trade, the program’s objectives are to increase the number of U.S. small businesses that export and to increase the value of exports by small businesses.

STEP Guidelines:

RI STEP Program 

RI STEP Program guidelines

STEP Application:

RI STEP Application

STEP Activity Forms:

Request for Approval form

Request for Reimbursement form

Please download and complete all STEP forms using Adobe Reader.

The World Trade Center Providence, serving Rhode Island, is part of the World Trade Center Association, a global network of local organizations advancing economic growth through global connectivity.

With over 300 locations worldwide, the World Trade Center Providence is a crucial driver of international business success. The John H. Chafee Center for International Business at Bryant University is the exclusive license holder for the World Trade Center Providence. The WTC Providence is committed to providing top-tier services and resources to the state’s business community, facilitating market expansion and investment attraction.

The WTC Providence is the result of a longstanding partnership between the John H. Chafee Center for International Business at Bryant University, Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, and the Small Business Association.

Food Export USA–Northeast (Food Export–Northeast) is a nonprofit organization created in 1973 as a cooperative effort between 10 Northeastern state agricultural promotion agencies and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). Export’s goal is to provide a wide range of services to facilitate trade between Northeastern food suppliers and importers around the world.

With the Branded Program, you may double your budget with 50% cost reimbursement on:

• International website development
• Foreign market-compliant packaging and labels
• Advertising and public relations
• In-store promotions and product demonstrations
• Fees for exhibiting at select overseas and domestic trade shows
• Marketing and point-of-sale materials
• Freight costs for product samples

For more information, please call Cecilia Pirotto at (401) 232-6483 or email cpirotto@bryant.edu.