Indiana University’s Center for International Business Education and Research (IU CIBER) supported programs to help provide a competitive playing field for local small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)* interested in international business.
*Small Business Administration defines SMEs as businesses with less than 500 employees.
From 2016 to 2025, the CIBER Intern Reimbursement Program provided funding for 31 Indiana small businesses to hire interns to work on increasing exports. Interns attended 13 institutions, including Butler, DePauw, Indiana State University, Indiana University, Purdue University, and Rose-Hulman.
Did you know that Indiana is the most manufacturing-intensive state in the country, ranking 13th in the nation for exports, having exported a record $41.2 billion in 2021 , and today out-exports California per capita? Exporting is not just for the big companies. There are numerous resources to help Indiana SMEs get started. Working with the Indiana DEC and U.S. Commercial Services Indianapolis Office, the Getting Started in Exporting Video Series shares the stories of Indiana SMEs successfully exporting. Learn how other Indiana small businesses got started and how your business can too.
IU CIBER is proud to partner in the Indiana Small Business Development Center’s Export Indiana Accelerator Program (EIAP). This 12-week no-cost summer program offers Hoosier small businesses professional export guidance and leading research resources to create an executable, proactive export business plan.
Participation is by application. Visit the Export Indiana Accelerator Program website to learn more and to be added to the EIAP mailing list.
For Indiana employers wanting additional EARN Indiana funding: Sign up for FREE at www.IndianaINTERN.net and get approved to post internship positions and hire qualified interns.