The Pennsylvania Global Access Program (GAP) is designed to enhance the capability of small to mid-sized Pennsylvania companies to increase export sales. GAP is a valuable tool available to qualifying companies seeking financial assistance and foreign market entry support. GAP will provide up to $5,000.00 in 1:1 matching funds per year to qualifying PA companies to offset a protion of the qualifying expenses associated with export promotion activities. This program is funded in part through a grant award from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Qualification: Assistance is limited to Pennsylvania Companies that satisfy specific criteria.
- Operate a licensed business in PA to manufacture, assemble and/or distribute a product or provide and exportable service;
- Be in good standing with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue and the IRS;
- Identify one or more qualifying, achievable export initiatives requiring financial support (see activities);
- Agree to provide their Regional Export Network Partner (REN) with export sales resulting from GAP funded initiative and provide these results as soon as they become available;
- Commit company funds to match the GAP award amount on a 1:1 basis and provide DCED with receipts for all qualifying expenditures associated with the activity as noted in the Filing procedures;
- Meet the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) definition of Small and Medium sized Enterprise (SME)
Activities: GAP is designed to provide flexibility and encourage innovative use of funds to meet the specific international needs of the Pennsylvania company. Qualifying activities include:
- Overseas Trade Mission Participation
- Overseas Trade Show Participation
- Domestic Trade Show Participation (must have significant international focus)
- Foreign Market Sales Trip
- Subscription to USDOC services
- Independent Consultant Assistance (CE Mark, CSA, ISO, REACH, CITRA, etc)
- Export Training workshops
- Product Certification (CE Mark, CSA, ISO, etc)
- International Marketing Media Design
- Website Internationalization
- Marketing Literature Translation Fees
Filing Procedures:
- All GAP applications must be obtained and submitted through a Regional Export Network (REN) partner
- No more than three (3) applications per company
- Applicants may receive no more than $5,000.00 per fiscal year. All funds must be matched on a 1:1 basis