Global Access Program (GAP)
The Global Access Program (GAP) is designed to enhance the capability of small to mid-sized Pennsylvania companies to increase export sales. GAP is administered by the Pennsylvania Office of International Business Development (OIBD) and provides up to $10,000 per award period to qualifying Pennsylvania companies to reimburse up to 75% of eligible expenses associated with specific export promotion activities. The program is funded in part through a federal grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration. GAP is designed to provide flexibility and encourage innovative use of funds to meet the specific international marketing needs of the applicant. Valid uses include: overseas and domestic trade show participation, overseas trade mission participation, foreign market sales trip, subscription to US DOC services, translation/interpreter fees, website internationalization, shipping sample products, and compliance testing.
Grant Deadline
Deadline not available
Funding Amount
75% of expense reimbursement of 75% on eligible expenses up to 10000$
Type of Grant
Grant
Sectors
Finance, E-Commerce, Supply Chain, Web 3.0, Media
Demographics
Incorporation
For Profit
Perks
Region Restriction
This grant is restricted to whole of United States
Keywords
Prototyping, provide flexibility, Exports/Trade, Website Internationalization, Gap, Global Access, Interpreter Fees
Age Restriction
This grant is age restricted from 18 to 100
Eligibility and Requirements
B. Qualification
Assistance is limited to Pennsylvania companies that meet the following criteria:
• Operate a licensed business in Pennsylvania to manufacture, assemble and/or distribute a product, or provide an exportable service;
• Are in good standing with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue and the IRS;
• Identify one or more specific, achievable, export initiatives requiring financial support;
• Agree to provide their Regional Export Network Partner (REN) with export sales dollars resulting from the GAP-funded initiative on a regular and timely basis;
• Meet the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) definition of an Eligible Small Business Concern (ESBC), which is defined as an entity that:
1. Is organized or incorporated in the United States;
2. Is operating in the United States;
3. Meets
• The applicable industry-based small business size standard established under section 3 of the Small Business Act; or
• The alternate size standard applicable to the program under section 7(a) of the Small Business Act and the loan programs under title V of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 695 et seq.);
• The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) size standards are found in Title 13 Part 121 of the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). Use the following sba.gov link for information on size standards for your business (www.sba.gov/document/support-table-sizestandards) eCFR :: 13 CFR Part 121 -- Small Business Size Regulations;
4. Has been in business for not less than 1 year, as of the date on which assistance using GAP funds under this subsection commences; and,
5. Has access to sufficient resources to bear the costs associated with exporting, including the costs of packing, shipping, freight forwarding, and customs brokers.
C. Qualifying Activities
GAP is designed to provide flexibility and encourage the innovative use of funds to meet the specific international needs of Pennsylvania exporters.
Qualifying activities include:
• International Trade Mission Participation
• International Trade Show Exhibition
• Domestic Trade Show Exhibition - additional documentation is required by SBA which is available through the REN.
• Foreign Market Sales Trip
• Federal services that directly support exporting including US Department of Commerce services • Website Internationalization
• E-commerce
• Design of Digital Marketing Media
• Compliance Testing • Export Credit Insurance Policy Fees
• Intellectual Property Protection
Qualifying activities must take place during the federal award period, which begins September 30, 2023.
D. Eligible Expenses
Qualifying Expense Categories include the following as determined by SBA:
• Lodging – Room and Taxes only based on federal limits (http://aoprals.state.gov/web920/per_diem.asp)
• Ground transportation and parking fees
• Interpreter fees
• Trade Mission / Trade Show fees including but not limited to: registration fee, booth fee, equipment rental, utilities, and fees for shipping sample products.
• Cost of any Federal service that directly supports exporting, including US Department of Commerce services 2016.export.gov/pennsylvania/ourservices
• Cost of compliance testing an existing product for entry into an export market. (Please inquire to obtain the current list of pre-approved tests by the SBA.)
• Website internationalization, including design and development of website with an international focus, website translation, search engine optimization and localization services
Grant Application website
https://dced.pa.gov/programs/global-access-program-gap/
Contact
Give DCED a Phone Call
1.866.466.3972
PA Business One-Stop Shop
1.833.722.6778
Send Us a Letter
Commonwealth Keystone Building
400 North Street, 4th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225
USA