International Financial Assistance
IEDA's Global Business Team has programs to support export efforts of eligible small businesses in Iowa. Programs are funded in part through a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Grant program.
Programs are limited to specific expenses focused on increasing export sales and the number of exporting companies. These programs are not for domestic marketing purposes.
International Financial Programs
Projects involving a third-party providing any of the below services specific to international markets are eligible. Eligible companies may receive one grant in each category per funding period (ends June 30, 2026). Applications must be received at least two weeks prior to the start of the project and completed by the project end date or the end of funding period, whichever comes first.
Project eligible expenses: (reimbursed at 75%)
- Design, translation and localization of brochure(s)/product information
- Design, translation and localization of international advertisement for a specific country/region (digital/print)
- Required compliance testing of existing product for entry into an export market
- Website design/translation, search engine optimization and localization for a specific international market(s)
- Oversight and maintenance/monitoring fee for search engine optimization (limited time within funding period)
- E-commerce platform to accept international payments on company website
- International attorney fees for foreign distributor contracts
- Consultancy services for preparing an Export Readiness Report, conducted by a contractor selected by IEDA.
Exhibiting in-person at a trade show or participating in an IEDA trade mission outside the U.S.
ETAP/DTAP Eligible Expenses: (reimbursed at 75%)
- Booth space or mission participation fee
- Booth furnishings rental
- Booth construction and utilities
- Ineligible expenses examples: printing, purchased equipment, airfare, memberships/sponsorships
Maximum $8,000 per grant (event)
- Companies may receive up to three grants in a funding period (combined ETAP and DTAP) — maximum of two DTAP
- Maximum of two times for the same show
- DTAP eligible events: Must have documented proven significant international attendance
Exhibiting in-person at an international trade show in the U.S.
ETAP/DTAP Eligible Expenses: (reimbursed at 75%)
- Booth space or mission participation fee
- Booth furnishings rental
- Booth construction and utilities
- Ineligible expenses examples: printing, purchased equipment, airfare, memberships/sponsorships
Maximum $8,000 per grant (event)
- Companies may receive up to three grants in a funding period (combined ETAP and DTAP) — maximum of two DTAP
- Maximum of two times for the same show
- DTAP eligible events: Must have documented proven significant international attendance
Participate in the ExporTechâ„¢ program through the Center for Industrial Research and Service.
- Maximum $2,500 (participation fee for ExporTechâ„¢)
All grant reimbursements for MTAP, ETAP, DTAP and ExporTechâ„¢ are calculated at 75% of actual eligible expense, up to maximum allowed amount. Only one grant allowed per company.
Details for all programs are included in the International Financial Assistance Fact Sheet (513.53 KB) .pdf .
Iowa value-added food/wood companies may qualify for services offered through our membership with Food Export of the Midwest.
Funded in part through a grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Eligibility
- For-profit companies operating in Iowa to process, manufacture, add value to product and/or distribute a product or provide an exportable service
- Meet SBA guidelines of an eligible small business concern. Two certification forms are required. See sba.gov/size. Note: A company's primary North American Industry Classification System code is needed to look up maximum size, which includes all affiliate companies.
- Be of U.S. origin or at least 51% U.S. content. (U.S. origin is defined as manufactured, processed, assembled or enhanced in the U.S.)
- Provide certification demonstrating company is not debarred from federal funding
- Be new to exporting, focusing on a new international market, or have a new product to promote to the international market
- Review the full list of eligibility and qualified expenses on the International Financial Assistance Fact Sheet (513.53 KB) .pdf
Application Process
- Applications must be received by the IEDA at least 45 days in advance of an event
- Program availability subject to annual funding allocation
- Review and follow detailed application instructions and required documentation found in the International Grant Application System Instructions (2.88 MB) Archived .pdf
Resources
- International Financial Assistance Fact Sheet (513.53 KB) .pdf
- Certification Debarment (80.61 KB) .pdf
- Certification Small Business Concern (543.23 KB) .pdf
- International Financial Assistance FAQ (2.71 MB) Archived .pdf
- International Grant Application System Instructions (2.88 MB) Archived .pdf
- Trade Show Booth Sign (202.8 KB) .pdf
- Trade Show Booth Sign Usage Guidelines (145.75 KB) .pdf
- Terms and Conditions of International Trade Office Financial Assistance Programs (191.99 KB) .pdf
Additional Resources
- Food Export Association of the Midwest
- IA SourceLink
- Renew Rural Iowa Pathways
- Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms
- U.S. Small Business Administration
Federal Funding Disclosures 
September 30, 2024 – September 29, 2026
- Federal share: 75% — $300,000
- Nonfederal share: 25% — $100,000
- Total program cost: $400,000
June 30, 2026 – September 29, 2027
- Federal share: 75% — $235,000
- Nonfederal share: 25% — $78,333
- Total program cost: $313,333
- State of Iowa share: 100% — $200,000
- Total program cost: $200,000