Eligible US companies participating on SEMA’s international programs may receive funds from the US Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration as well as a number of states to defray participation costs. $1,200 grant is available from the U.S. federal government for qualified companies to attend each of the upcoming programs -the July SEMA Reverse Trade Mission as well as the August 25-29 SEMA Nordic trip. For more information on the federal grant, contact Linda Spencer at lindas@sema.org.
SEMA has compiled a chart on the available federal funds and state funding (selected states listed below). This list was compiled by SEMA following a conversation with each of the state’s program administrators. For further details such as whether funds remain and to confirm program requirements and resources, please reach out to your state’s grant representative listed below. For questions on whether additional states also have funding contact Kristin Atwan at kristina@sema.org.
California
Web Page: Click Here
Contact Name: Linda Spencer - SEMA has won a grant to cover the individual grants to qualified CA-based companies
Contact #: (202) 415-8008
Contact Email: lindas@sema.org
How to Apply: Apply directly on event registration pages (RTM and Nordic).
Deadline: As long as funds remain
Federal MDCP Grant: $1,200 for SEMA Reverse Trade Mission and $1,200 for SEMA Nordic
Federal + State Grant - What the Fed + State grants cover: California grant provides $1,650 towards the $3000 fee + Special Promotion Package for the Reverse Trade Mission; $2,000 grant towards the $4500 SEMA Nordic trip
Comments: SEMA Nordic: $4500 package for $1300 (after MDCP and California grants). SEMA Reverse Trade Mission: $3000 package (fee + Special Promotion package) for $150 (after MDCP and California grants)
Illinois
Web Page: Click Here
Contact Name: Atul Nair
Contact #: (312) 859-4318
Contact Email: Atul.Nair@Illinois.gov
How to Apply: Contact Atul directly.
Deadline: The deadline is 30 days before the event, they recommend you get it in as soon as possible.
Federal MDCP Grant: $1,200 for SEMA Reverse Trade Mission and $1,200 for SEMA Nordic
Federal + State Grant - What the Fed + State grants cover: 1 person's airfare and lodging as well as the turnkey booth.
Comments: SEMA Nordic and SEMA Reverse Trade Mission: they will cover the cost of airfare, lodging, and for SEMA Nordic booth expenses.
Indiana
Web Page: Click Here
Contact Name: Roger Howard
Contact #: (317) 766-1416
Contact Email: RHoward2@iedc.IN.gov
How to Apply: Contact Roger directly.
Deadline: No deadline to register.
Federal MDCP Grant: $1,200 for SEMA Reverse Trade Mission and $1,200 for SEMA Nordic
Federal + State Grant - What the Fed + State grants cover: 80% capped at 10,000; eligible expenses include: Lodging, Meals, Airfare, Currency exchange fees, Booth fees, Registration fees, Translation services, Currency exchange fees, Fees for shipping sample products (capped at $4,000), Parking fees, Personal luggage fees associated with air travel, International ground transportation, Freight cost to ship both materials and products
Comments: SEMA Nordic: Funds can be used in addition to the federal MDCP grant of $1200. So it appears they cover 80% of the remaining $3,300 for a total cost of $660 (one participant). SEMA Reverse Trade Mission: funds can be used in addition to the federal MDCP grant of $1200. So it appears to cover 80% of the remaining $1,800 for a total cost of $360 (one participant + Special Promotion Package).
Michigan
Web Page: Click Here
Contact Email: export@michigan.org
How to Apply: For more information or to apply, contact export@michigan.org and you will be connected with your International Trade Manager
Federal MDCP Grant: $1,200 for SEMA Reverse Trade Mission and $1,200 for SEMA Nordic
Federal + State Grant - What the Fed + State grants cover: 75% reimbursement of all eligible export expenses. The Michigan grant provides $1050 towards the $3000 fee + Special Promotion Package for the Reverse Trade Mission
Comments: Funds can be used in addition to the federal MDCP grant of $1200. $3000 package (fee + Special Promotion package) for $750 (after MDCP and Michigan grants)
New York
Web Page: Click Here
Contact Name: Antonio Rodriguez
Contact Number: 212-803-2300 (general number); 212-803-2283 (Antonio direct)
Contact Email: Antonio.Rodriguez@esd.ny.gov
How to Apply: Contact Antonio or the general office first.
Federal MDCP Grant: $1,200 for SEMA Reverse Trade Mission and $1,200 for SEMA Nordic
Federal + State Grant - What the Fed + State grants cover: 70% of eligible expenses including travel, registration, advertising, booth and more.
Comments: SEMA Nordic: they will cover 1 participant, 70% of the remaining cost after the MDCP grant. SEMA Reverse Trade Mission: they will cover 1 participant, 70% of the remaining costs (including the Special Promotion Package) after the MDCP grant.
North Carolina
Web Page: Click Here
Contact Name: Jen Vogelsber
Contact Email: jen.vogelsberg@edpnc.com
How to Apply: For more information or to apply contact Jen Vogelsberg directly.
Federal MDCP Grant: $1,200 for SEMA Reverse Trade Mission and $1,200 for SEMA Nordic
Federal + State Grant - What the Fed + State grants cover: The North Carolina grant provides $1,650 towards the $3000 fee + Special Promotion Package for the Reverse Trade Mission; $2,000 grant towards the $4500 SEMA Nordic trip
Comments: SEMA Reverse Trade Mission: Funds can be used in addition to the federal MDCP grant of $1200. $3,000 package (fee + Special Promotion package) for $150 (after MDCP and NC grants). Grants are also available for the SEMA Nordic trip.
Ohio
Web Page: Click Here
Contact Name: Andrew Borst
Contact #: 614-466-4996
Contact Email: Andrew.borst@development.ohio.gov
How to Apply: Fill out the application on the IMAGE website: https://www.development.ohio.gov/bs/bs_image.htm then Andrew will contact you to set up a call.
Deadline: Must apply at least one day in advance of event beginning. Funds available on a first come first serve basis.
Federal MDCP Grant: $1,200 for SEMA Reverse Trade Mission and $1,200 for SEMA Nordic
Federal + State Grant - What the Fed + State grants cover: 50% of costs up to $10,000 (it appears that all expenses are eligible)
Comments: SEMA Nordic: Funds can be used in addition to the federal MDCP grant of $1200. So it appears to cover 50% of the remaining $3,300 making your total cost about $1,650 for one participant. SEMA Reverse Trade Mission: the funds can be used in addition to the federal MDCP grant of $1,200. So it appears to cover 50% of the remaining $1,800 making your total cost about $900 (one participant + Special Promotion Package).
Tennessee
Web Page: Click Here
Contact Name: Leslee Alexander
Contact #: 615-881-0454
Contact Email: lalexander@tsbdc.org
How to Apply: Contact Leslee directly.
Deadline: Must apply at least 8 weeks prior to event.
Federal MDCP Grant: $1,200 for SEMA Reverse Trade Mission and $1,200 for SEMA Nordic
Federal + State Grant - What the Fed + State grants cover: All eligible expenses up to 75% of the RTM and up to 75% of the Nordic trip. Travel fees (hotel and airfare) not covered.
Comments: SEMA Nordic: Funds can be used in addition to the federal MDCP grant of $1200. So it appears they cover up to 75% of the remaining $3,300. SEMA Reverse Trade Mission: Funds can be used in addition to the federal MDCP grant of $1200. So it appears they cover up to 75% of the remaining $1,800 (one participant + Special Promotion Package).
Texas
Web Page: Click Here
Contact Name: Nora Noble-Christoff
Contact #: 512-463-6616
Contact Email: nora.noble-christoff@TexasAgriculture.gov
How to Apply: Contact Nora directly.
Deadline: The application will open up in May (most likely the week of the 17th) and there will be 4 to 6 weeks to apply. Once the application is closed, you are welcome to reach out to see if there is leftover funding that we can give to companies that didn’t apply but our goal after this application is to have all the money for the rest of 2021 and up to August 2022 allocated.
Federal MDCP Grant: $1,200 for SEMA Reverse Trade Mission and $1,200 for SEMA Nordic
Federal + State Grant - What the Fed + State grants cover: 2 participants (airfare, lodging, ground transportation, advertising (SPP)); meals not covered
Comments: SEMA Nordic: Funds can be used in addition to the federal MDCP grant of $1200. Airfare and lodging covered by state funds. SEMA Reverse Trade Mission: Funds can be used in addition to the federal MDCP grant of $1200. So of the $1,800 fee (one participant + Special Promotion Package) it appears to cover the cost of the SPP making your total cost about $200.
Utah
Web Page: Click Here
Contact Name: Nicole Sherwood
Contact #: 801-599-9185
Contact Email: nsherwood@wtcutah.com
How to Apply: Contact Nicole directly.
Federal MDCP Grant: $1,200 for SEMA Reverse Trade Mission and $1,200 for SEMA Nordic
Federal + State Grant - What the Fed + State grants cover: 75% of all expenses including travel, registration, advertising, booth and more.
Comments: SEMA Nordic: they will cover 75% of all costs. SEMA Reverse Trade Mission: they will cover 75% of all costs. (including the Special Promotion Package).