John H. Chafee Center for International Business
1150 Douglas Pike
Smithfield, RI 02917
BELC, North Wing
(401) 232-6407
John H. Chafee Center for International Business
The John H. Chafee Center for International Business is Rhode Island’s designated agency for world trade and export activities. For over 40 years, the center has been committed to growing Rhode Island’s local economy through a global reach.
Through partnerships with Rhode Island Commerce, the Small Business Administration, local government, and trade organizations, the Chafee Center encourages global business expansion, retention, and attraction. It administrates the SBA’s State Trade and Expansion Program (STEP Grant), providing access to funding for small businesses.
The Chafee Center’s other programs include international trade missions and shows, strategic consulting, market research, and broad-based events. The center works closely with faculty, staff, and students to provide customized business consulting services to Rhode Island-based enterprises.
Bryant University College of Business Practica
The Chafee Center for International Business, in partnership with the College of Business at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ University, administers the Practica Program—an experiential capstone initiative that connects senior and graduate students with real-world organizations. The program provides students with the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge to meaningful business challenges while delivering valuable insights and solutions to participating companies.
Through Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ nationally ranked Capstone Consulting Program, organizations partner with professor-led student consulting teams to develop high-quality, actionable solutions during a robust 15-week engagement. Offered across three specialized tracks—International Business, Supply Chain, and MBA—each project is guided by experienced faculty and industry mentors to ensure professional-level insights and results. Teams support companies on strategic initiatives such as business plan development, marketing strategy creation, international market entry research, business succession planning, and other high-impact projects tailored to organizational needs. Participating organizations benefit from fresh perspectives, measurable results, and direct access to Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ extensive academic resources while strengthening their workforce pipeline and helping develop the next generation of business leaders.
The Chafee Center is currently accepting applications for the MBA Practica this summer (June-August) and we want to partner with your organization. Please see the flyer below for more information, and fill out the prospective client form if you are interested. All questions and completed forms should be emailed to practicum@bryant.edu.
Practica Forms
Program Information Flyer
Prospective Client Form – MBA 645 (Summer 2026)
The Chafee Center for International Business, in partnership with the College of Business at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ University, administers the Practica Program—an experiential capstone initiative that connects senior and graduate students with real-world organizations. The program provides students with the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge to meaningful business challenges while delivering valuable insights and solutions to participating companies.
Through Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ nationally ranked Capstone Consulting Program, organizations partner with professor-led student consulting teams to develop high-quality, actionable solutions during a robust 15-week engagement. Offered across three specialized tracks—International Business, Supply Chain, and MBA—each project is guided by experienced faculty and industry mentors to ensure professional-level insights and results. Teams support companies on strategic initiatives such as business plan development, marketing strategy creation, international market entry research, business succession planning, and other high-impact projects tailored to organizational needs. Participating organizations benefit from fresh perspectives, measurable results, and direct access to Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ extensive academic resources while strengthening their workforce pipeline and helping develop the next generation of business leaders.
The Chafee Center is currently accepting applications for the MBA Practica this summer (June-August) and we want to partner with your organization. Please see the flyer below for more information, and fill out the prospective client form if you are interested. All questions and completed forms should be emailed to practicum@bryant.edu.
Practica Forms
Program Information Flyer
Prospective Client Form – MBA 645 (Summer 2026)
State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Grant
The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) is a national export initiative that makes matching-fund awards to states to assist small businesses in entering and expanding into international markets. Funded in part through a grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration, and administered by their Office of Manufacturing & Trade, the program's objectives are to increase the number of U.S. small businesses that export and to increase the value of exports by small businesses.
STEP Guidelines:
STEP Application:
STEP Activity Forms:
Request for Reimbursement form
Please download and complete all STEP forms using Adobe Reader.
Funded in part through a grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration and in accordance with Section 632 of Public Law 117-328, Rhode Island’s total STEP 12 program cost is $200,000 of which 75% is Federal Share of $150,000 and Non-Federal Share of $50,000.
The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) is a national export initiative that makes matching-fund awards to states to assist small businesses in entering and expanding into international markets. Funded in part through a grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration, and administered by their Office of Manufacturing & Trade, the program's objectives are to increase the number of U.S. small businesses that export and to increase the value of exports by small businesses.
STEP Guidelines:
STEP Application:
STEP Activity Forms:
Request for Reimbursement form
Please download and complete all STEP forms using Adobe Reader.
Funded in part through a grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration and in accordance with Section 632 of Public Law 117-328, Rhode Island’s total STEP 12 program cost is $200,000 of which 75% is Federal Share of $150,000 and Non-Federal Share of $50,000.
World Trade Center Rhode Island
The is part of the World Trade Center Association, a global network of local organizations advancing economic growth through global connectivity.
With over 300 locations worldwide, the World Trade Center Rhode Island is a crucial driver of international business success. The John H. Chafee Center for International Business at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ University is the exclusive license holder for the World Trade Center Rhode Island. The WTC Rhode Island is committed to providing top-tier services and resources to the state’s business community, facilitating market expansion and investment attraction.
The WTC Rhode Island is the result of a longstanding partnership between the John H. Chafee Center for International Business at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ University, Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, and the Small Business Association.
The is part of the World Trade Center Association, a global network of local organizations advancing economic growth through global connectivity.
With over 300 locations worldwide, the World Trade Center Rhode Island is a crucial driver of international business success. The John H. Chafee Center for International Business at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ University is the exclusive license holder for the World Trade Center Rhode Island. The WTC Rhode Island is committed to providing top-tier services and resources to the state’s business community, facilitating market expansion and investment attraction.
The WTC Rhode Island is the result of a longstanding partnership between the John H. Chafee Center for International Business at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ University, Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, and the Small Business Association.
Food Export Program
Food Export USA–Northeast (Food Export–Northeast) is a nonprofit organization created in 1973 as a cooperative effort between 10 Northeastern state agricultural promotion agencies and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). Export’s goal is to provide a wide range of services to facilitate trade between Northeastern food suppliers and importers around the world.
With the Branded Program, you may double your budget with 50% cost reimbursement on:
- International website development
- Foreign market-compliant packaging and labels
- Advertising and public relations
- In-store promotions and product demonstrations
- Fees for exhibiting at select overseas and domestic trade shows
- Marketing and point-of-sale materials
- Freight costs for product samples
For more information, please call Jason Kelly at (401) 232-6406 or email jkelly@bryant.edu.
Food Export USA–Northeast (Food Export–Northeast) is a nonprofit organization created in 1973 as a cooperative effort between 10 Northeastern state agricultural promotion agencies and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). Export’s goal is to provide a wide range of services to facilitate trade between Northeastern food suppliers and importers around the world.
With the Branded Program, you may double your budget with 50% cost reimbursement on:
- International website development
- Foreign market-compliant packaging and labels
- Advertising and public relations
- In-store promotions and product demonstrations
- Fees for exhibiting at select overseas and domestic trade shows
- Marketing and point-of-sale materials
- Freight costs for product samples
For more information, please call Jason Kelly at (401) 232-6406 or email jkelly@bryant.edu.