MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Language Translation Services and Production Fees

Having marketing materials, including websites, brochures, business cards, etc. available in foreign languages can be vital to your success in global sales. 

To help defray the costs of first-time language translation, Montana STEP grant provides partial reimbursement for foreign language translation of marketing materials.

*Submit your application at least 30 days before the translation service.

Reimbursement

• 50% reimbursement of translation expenses, up to $3,000 per language.

Eligible Small Businesses

To be eligible for the Montana STEP grant, you must:

• have been in business for more than 1 year
• meet the SBA’s definition of a small business
• market products that are of U.S. origin or have at least 51% U.S. content
• show in the STEP application your understanding of the costs associated with exporting and doing business with foreign purchasers, including the costs of freight forwarding, customs brokers, packing and shipping, etc.
• agree to provide the program with export activities/results from the grant activities

Eligible Expenses *

• Hiring a translator
• Websites
• Promotional and sales materials (brochures, catalogs)
• Technical specifications, data sheets
• Layout, design, and printing

*If an anticipated cost is not listed above, contact ExportMontana to ensure eligibility.

Ineligible Expenses

• Souvenirs, models, imprinted clothing, buttons, gifts, prizes, promotional items, mementos, scholarships, contributions, donations, or similar gratuitous transfers (whether in the form of cash, property, or services);
• Employee or owner salaries or compensation (in-house translations are ineligible);
• Entertainment costs, including meals, alcohol, parties, receptions, mixers, or other social activities, or tickets to shows or sporting events;
• Creation of or supplementing a reserve or contingency fund or account;
• Match or support for any other Federal projects;
• Membership fees or dues in any business, technical, trade, professional, civic, community, country club, social or dining organization (whether in the name of the recipient organization or an individual);
• Fund-raising (including, but not limited to, soliciting funding or contributions or raising investment capital from individuals, public/private organizations, or government entities);
• Lobbying or "grassroots" advocacy activities (including the endorsement or opposition of political parties, candidates, initiatives, referenda, petitions, or the cost of protests or demonstrations) directed at any level or branch of government;
• Indirect costs or depreciation; bid and proposal costs; legal expenses; fines, penalties and mischarging costs;
• Any cost not directly related to international trade development and preapproved by this program

Montana STEP grant is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Application

• Download the application here.  You may apply for any of the STEP-eligible activities at the same time (trade show, translation, USCS services, etc.).
• STEP grant priorities are:
  • Companies new to the STEP grant
  • Companies who attended the Riddle of the Exporter training
  • Companies with more than 2 employees
  • For each company, 1 STEP grant award for each of the 6 activities per year.  Should there be any remaining monies once these priorities are met, funding a company’s applications for additional shows or other activities will be considered.
• If you need help with any aspect of the application, contact ExportMontana.

Submit

• Submit the application by email, fax, or mail (addresses in the application). 
• The State email server rejects emails with attachments larger 5 MB, so you may need to break up the attachments into more than 1 email or consider faxing or mailing.  
• We will confirm receipt of the application within 7 days and notify you of approval within 14 days.

Review

• ExportMontana will evaluate applications.
• ExportMontana makes the final decision, at its sole discretion, whether to fund an application, request additional information, and request SBA review of the application.
• Upon award, ExportMontana will send the company an agreement email which will outline processes and procedures.

Montana STEP grant is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Reimbursement

To receive reimbursement for the translation, submit to ExportMontana the following:

• Reimbursement – due 45 days after the translation is completed
• W9 form – due with reimbursement request
• Copies of receipts of expenses
• Digital copies of the translated materials (if applicable)

Yearly Progress Reports

ExportMontana will contact you annually to receive updates on results from the translation.

• Mid-Year Survey Form - due November 30

ExportMontana may request additional report updates if needed to monitor the activity and satisfy SBA reporting requirements.

Montana STEP grant is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration.