Open
Alberta Export Expansion Program (AEEP)
Funding for Alberta exporters attending international trade events
Last Update: April 7, 2026
Funding available
Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : April 7, 2026
Location
Alberta, Canada
Overview
The Alberta Export Expansion Program assists Alberta-based SMEs, non-profits, and Indigenous organizations in attending global trade events to promote provincial exports. Eligible entities can receive up to $15,000 CAD annually, with applications evaluated on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on fund availability.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Access new markets
Eligible Funding
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : April 7, 2026
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Alberta
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- International Activities
- Business Associations
Target groups
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Provincial
- International
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
The Alberta Export Expansion Program (AEEP) provides funding to support initiatives that promote Alberta exports through participation in formal outbound trade events. Activities eligible for this grant are focused on covering costs related to attending these international trade events.
- Participation in formal international trade or export-related events for Alberta-based travelers.
- Attendance at formal trade events to enter new international markets.
- Event registration for formal outbound trade events.
- Travel-related expenses covered through per diems for attendees.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
The Alberta Export Expansion Program (AEEP) is open to various types of organizations including Alberta small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), industry associations, Indigenous organizations, economic development organizations, and other non-profit organizations that promote Alberta exports through international travel to formal outbound trade events. Eligible organizations must meet several criteria:- Be an incorporated legal entity in Alberta.- Be in good standing with the province and meet all obligations under other grant agreements.- Operate in and have a permanent physical presence in Alberta for at least one year.- Have at least one full-time equivalent employee working in Alberta.- Have sent Alberta-based travelers from Canada to an international formal trade or export-related event in another country after April 1, 2024 (proof of registration required).- Expect to cover less than 75% of total trip expenses with government funding.- Apply no later than 2 months after the first day of participation in a formal event.For-profit organizations additionally must:- Have annual gross sales between CAD $250,000 and CAD $25 million.- Employ fewer than 500 full-time equivalent staff in the last fiscal year.- Seek to enter a new market for their organization (defined as a country or U.S. state with CAD$150,000 annual sales or less).- Be export ready.Non-profit organizations additionally must:- Provide specific services to Alberta SMEs for trade and export activities.- Have a documented plan for trade promotion and export development.- Demonstrate how their participation at formal trade events benefits Alberta companies.Who is not eligible
There are specific types of companies that are not eligible for this grant:
- Companies that are not incorporated legal entities in Alberta
- Companies with annual gross sales below CAD $250,000 or above CAD $25 million
- Companies with more than 500 full-time equivalent staff in the last fiscal year
Eligible expenses
The Alberta Export Expansion Program (AEEP) supports Alberta-based organizations in their efforts to expand into international markets by attending formal outbound trade events. The grant provides financial assistance primarily for per diem expenses and event registration costs associated with these trade events.
- Participation in formal international trade or export-related events held outside Canada, which includes covering per diem costs for Alberta-based travelers.
- Reimbursement of up to 50% of formal event base entry registration fees for each organization, up to a maximum of CAD$1,000 per trade event.
Eligible geographic areas
This grant is available to companies that are based and operate within Alberta. Eligibility is specifically focused on ensuring that beneficiaries have a strong connection to the province's economic landscape.
- Organizations incorporated and operating within Alberta.
- Applicants with a permanent physical presence in Alberta for at least one year.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Per diem funding is only calculated for the duration of formal international trade events, in addition to two days to accommodate air travel, with proof of travel required.
- The program operates on a first-come, first-served basis, and the application intake closes when the budget is fully requested.
- Applicants can complete a pre-screening questionnaire to self-assess eligibility before travel, but it is not required to be submitted and does not guarantee eligibility.
- It is important to check if any requested funding remains available as the tracker is for guidance only and does not ensure funds are available when applying.
- Applications for funding must be submitted no later than two months after the first day of participation in a formal trade event.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Alberta Export Expansion Program (AEEP) Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the Alberta Export Expansion Program (AEEP). This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the Alberta Export Expansion Program (AEEP)?
The Alberta Export Expansion Program assists Alberta-based SMEs, non-profits, and Indigenous organizations in attending global trade events to promote provincial exports. Eligible entities can receive up to $15,000 CAD annually, with applications evaluated on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on fund availability.
How much funding can be received?
Alberta Export Expansion Program (AEEP) Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Alberta Export Expansion Program (AEEP) program?
To be eligible for the Alberta Export Expansion Program (AEEP) program, you must:
The applicant organization must be an incorporated legal entity in Alberta with a permanent physical presence for at least one year.
The organization must have at least one full-time equivalent employee working in Alberta.
For-profit applicants must have annual gross sales between CAD $250,000 and CAD $25 million.
What expenses are eligible under Alberta Export Expansion Program (AEEP)?
The Alberta Export Expansion Program (AEEP) provides funding to support initiatives that promote Alberta exports through participation in formal outbound trade events. Activities eligible for this grant are focused on covering costs related to attending these international trade events. Participation in formal international trade or export-related events for Alberta-based travelers.
Attendance at formal trade events to enter new international markets.
Event registration for formal outbound trade events.
Travel-related expenses covered through per diems for attendees.
Who can I contact for more information about the Alberta Export Expansion Program (AEEP)?
You can contact Government of Alberta by email at aeep-mailbox@gov.ab.ca.
Where is the Alberta Export Expansion Program (AEEP) available?
The Alberta Export Expansion Program (AEEP) program is available the province of Alberta.
Is the Alberta Export Expansion Program (AEEP) a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Alberta Export Expansion Program (AEEP) is a Grant and Funding