IMAGE provides eligible companies a 50% reimbursement of up to $10,000 in grant funds to engage in activities to increase export sales. For more detailed information, please see the IMAGE Handbook. below.
Company operates a licensed for profit business in Ohio to manufacture, assemble, and/or distribute a product or provide an exportable service.
Company certifies that the products to be promoted contain a majority of U.S. content. U.S.content is valued at export works price minus the aggregate value contributed by foreign suppliers, including labor and material.
Company has identified qualifying and achievable export activities or initiatives requiring financial support and has, in effect, a strategic plan for exporting.
Company has been in business for no less than one year before applying for IMAGE.
Company attests that it shall not knowingly enter into any transactions with a person in the Excluded Parties List System.
Company must be in good standing with all state of Ohio agencies.
Eligible Activities
Important Information about Grant Activities
Activities must be approved before the activities are conducted.
The earliest date that an activity can begin is the application approval date or Oct. 1, 2020, whichever date is later.
All grant activities must be completed by the completion date listed in the application but no later than Sept. 29, 2021. If the activity is not completed by Sept. 29, 2021, it cannot be reimbursed. No exceptions.
Changes to activities can be made. For more information, please reference the section “Amending the Grant.”
Eligible Grant Activities
International Website Development
E-Commerce
International Marketing
Compliance Testing
Export Training (100% reimbursable)*
Virtual Trade Shows
International Trade Shows
Domestic Trade Shows with an International Element
Trade Missions/Virtual Trade Missions
Supported Individual Market Visit
Shipping of Sample Products
U.S. Commercial Service Programs
For detailed eligibility information, please view the IMAGE Handbook
Grant Caps
For 2021 grant year funds (Oct. 1, 2020 to Sept. 29, 2021), the following caps are in effect:
International Marketing (design, translation, and placement) - $6,000
Compliance Testing - $6,000
Export Training - $5,000*
Shipping - $4,000
If an activity category is not capped, the entire grant (up to $10,000) can be used for that activity.
How to Apply
Activities cannot start until an application is received and approved. Activities must be completed by Sept. 29, 2021.
Interested companies should complete the IMAGE application via the link below.
For the 2021 grant year (Oct. 1, 2020 to Sept. 29, 2021), the application will be divided into two portions. First, applicants will provide required application information except the proposed activities. Due to program changes for the 2021 year, each applicant will be contacted by phone by the IMAGE program manager (Andrew Bost) before the second portion of the application will be opened. When the second portion of the application is opened, the applicant will be able to log back into the application portal to complete the application by providing proposed grant activities.
Reimbursement Requests
Grantees must submit reimbursement requests within 60 days of completing each activity but no later than Oct. 29, 2021, for activities taking place in August and September 2021.
*Items marked with “*” are pending final approval at the time and are subject to change at this time.
Funded in part through a grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
