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CanExport GAC-Led Delegations
Cost-sharing support for SMEs joining GAC-led trade delegations
Last Update: May 28, 2026
Funding available
$ 100,000
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
Provides up to $100,000 CAD to help eligible Canadian SMEs participate in select GAC-led trade missions and delegations. It supports essential participation costs, primarily travel and eligible trade event participation expenses.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Access new markets
- Launch or market a product/service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 100,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Public administration
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Financial cooperative
- Non-financial cooperative
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- From $ 100,000 to $ 100,000,000 in revenue
Organisation size
- 1-500 employees
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Other Racialized Persons
- Black Canadians
- 2SLGBTQI+
- Canadians
- Youth (<40)
- Women
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Participation in eligible GAC-led trade missions and delegations to develop export opportunities in approved target markets.
- International travel to attend eligible trade events and meet key contacts and/or conduct market visits.
- Participation in eligible trade events as an attendee or exhibitor (where the trade event is listed as eligible under the program).
Documents Needed
- Articles of incorporation
- GST 34 return (or FP-500-Z for Quebec-based applicants)
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian for-profit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) selected to participate in eligible GAC-led trade missions or delegations
- Incorporated entities in Canada (corporations, LLPs, and cooperatives)
Who is not eligible
- Sole proprietorships
- Limited partnerships (LP)
- Third-party representatives (e.g., agents, promoters, sales representatives, consultants)
- Distributors, wholesalers acting as intermediaries, and trading houses/export brokers (unless for agriculture and agri-food)
- Franchisees (only the franchisor is eligible)
Eligible expenses
- International travel costs (airfare, seat selection, checked/excess baggage fees, ground transportation, airport parking, travel to/from airport)
- Per diem ($400/day) for eligible travellers (as defined by the program)
- Electronic travel authority and mandatory visa fees
- Trade event participation and exhibitor costs (registration/booth space, booth rental, on-site booth design/assembly/installation, utilities, rental of scanners or audiovisual equipment, liability insurance)
- International shipping and handling of event materials/products/prototypes (including return to Canada)
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Any expenses other than those listed under Category A (travel) and Category B (trade event participation) in the Applicant’s Guide
- Travel-related costs outside the specific eligible travel items (all other travel-related costs are ineligible)
- Trade event costs for events not listed as eligible in Section 1 of the guide
- Delegation participation costs where the primary purpose is investment attraction, research and development, or the production and distribution of products and services
- Projects relating to recreational cannabis, tobacco, vaping, or other similar industries
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada (applicant business must be established in Canada)
Processing and Agreement
- Program officials assess the application using the program’s evaluation criteria and information provided in the application and delegation registration.
- Funding decisions are sent by email to the Legal Signing Authority (decisions are final and non-negotiable).
- If approved, the funding agreement is sent by email (typically within 20 business days).
- The approved firm must sign and return the funding agreement within 20 business days or funding may be forfeited.
- NRC IRAP manages funding agreements, processes claims (for contributions), and issues payments.
Additional information
- Pilot funding stream that will expire no later than November 2029.
- Applicants must disclose any pre-existing relationships and affiliations (including consultants).
- Only one active project under this funding stream is permitted at a time.
- Funding decisions are targeted within 15 business days (service standard).
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the CanExport GAC-Led Delegations Program
What is the CanExport GAC-Led Delegations?
Provides up to $100,000 CAD to help eligible Canadian SMEs participate in select GAC-led trade missions and delegations. It supports essential participation costs, primarily travel and eligible trade event participation expenses.
How much funding can be received?
CanExport GAC-Led Delegations Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $100,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the CanExport GAC-Led Delegations program?
To be eligible for the CanExport GAC-Led Delegations program, you must:
Canadian SME selected for an eligible GAC-led delegation
For-profit, established in Canada, active CRA business number
1–500 FTEs; $100K–$100M revenue declared in Canada
What expenses are eligible under CanExport GAC-Led Delegations?
Participation in eligible GAC-led trade missions and delegations to develop export opportunities in approved target markets.
International travel to attend eligible trade events and meet key contacts and/or conduct market visits.
Participation in eligible trade events as an attendee or exhibitor (where the trade event is listed as eligible under the program).
Who can I contact for more information about the CanExport GAC-Led Delegations?
You can contact Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) by email at canexportdelegations@international.gc.ca.
Where is the CanExport GAC-Led Delegations available?
The CanExport GAC-Led Delegations program is available across Canada.
Is the CanExport GAC-Led Delegations a grant, loan, or tax credit?
CanExport GAC-Led Delegations is a Grant and Funding