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CanExport GAC-Led Delegations
Cost-sharing support for SMEs joining GAC-led trade delegations
Last Update: March 6, 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.
/100
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
- For-profit business
- Non-financial cooperative
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
Here are answers to the most common questions about the CanExport GAC-Led Delegations. 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 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
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