CanExport GAC-Led Delegations

• Articles of incorporation
• GST 34 return (or FP-500-Z for Quebec-based applicants)

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)

• Incrementality: new or expanded initiatives aligned with international business development goals.
• Export business case: realistic objectives, activities and expected outcomes; reasonable and specific activities and expenses.
• Market potential: demonstrated commercial potential in the target market(s) (e.g., market research).
• Export readiness and history: human/financial capacity, export history, and past interactions/performance with CanExport/TCS/GAC partners.
• Thematic priorities: alignment with export diversification, target markets covered by free trade agreements, and applications from underrepresented groups in international trade.

• Step 1: Access the online portal
  • Register for an account (new applicants) or sign in (returning applicants).
  • Complete/update company information under “My Profile”.
• Step 2: Complete account verification (new applicants)
  • Wait for the program to review your submitted profile information and notify you by email (within 7 business days).
  • If notified that criteria are met, the Primary Account Contact completes the Account Profile.
• Step 3: Prepare the application and required documents
  • Complete the CanExport GAC-Led Delegations application in the portal (My Applications > CanExport > New Application > Delegations).
  • Provide articles of incorporation.
  • Provide declared annual revenue documentation (GST 34 return, or FP-500-Z for Quebec-based applicants).
• Step 4: Submit the application
  • Submit through the online portal at least 15 business days before the first proposed activity start date.
  • After submission, retain the confirmation email and unique identifier (applications cannot be edited once submitted).

• 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.

• 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).