Global Access Program (GAP)

The Global Access Program (GAP) is an initiative managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) through BusinessPA. It is supported in part by a federal grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). GAP is designed to boost the export capabilities of small to mid-sized Pennsylvania companies by providing partial reimbursement for a broad range of export-related activities. Through this program, qualifying businesses may receive up to $10,000 per award period to reimburse 75% of eligible expenses tied to specific export promotion efforts. These awards are competitively distributed and subject to availability of funds. The program supports a variety of international business development activities. Eligible uses of funding include participation in international or domestic trade shows, foreign market sales trips, international trade missions, compliance testing for product certification, U.S. Department of Commerce export services, website internationalization, digital marketing, e-commerce expansion, intellectual property protection, and export credit insurance. Costs eligible for reimbursement include lodging, ground transportation, interpreter fees, trade show and mission registration fees, and translation/localization services for websites and marketing media. Only expenses paid during the defined federal award period — beginning September 30, 2024 — are considered valid for reimbursement, and these must be documented with proof of payment. The program limits are clear: no more than two applications per company per award cycle, and each application may cover only one activity. GAP funding cannot be used to attend the same event more than three times, and reimbursement requests must be submitted within 30 days of activity completion. Additionally, only expenses for up to two company employees are eligible. Ineligible costs include airfare, meals, salaries, alcohol, hotel amenities, product samples, passport fees, and entertainment-related expenses. Companies must also be in good standing with the Commonwealth and federal tax authorities. Eligibility is limited to Pennsylvania companies that operate legally within the state, manufacture or distribute products or exportable services, and meet the U.S. SBA's criteria for a small business concern. Companies must have been in business for at least one year and demonstrate readiness for export, along with access to the financial resources necessary for international trade. They must also agree to report export sales figures resulting from GAP-funded activities and retain relevant records for at least three years. GAP applicants are vetted to ensure they are not suspended or debarred at the state or federal level. Applications are submitted through one of Pennsylvania’s Regional Export Network (REN) Partners before the proposed activity occurs. REN Partners then forward the submissions to the GAP Administrator at BusinessPA for review and approval. Required documents include a Small Business Concern eligibility form, a debarment certification, and the STEP Client Application, all dated after October 1, 2024. Approved applicants must hold a valid Pennsylvania vendor number and complete all required post-activity surveys to process reimbursement. GAP awards are made on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted and are subject to a first-come, first-served review by a designated committee. Reimbursements are typically issued within 6–8 weeks of approval. Annual updates to the program's guidelines and funding levels are determined by DCED, with the SBA retaining a license to use all materials developed under the grant. Key contact for the program is Kate Skopp at DCED, who can be reached via email at [email protected] or by phone at (717) 720-7361.