Open
Source verified August 5, 2026
CanExport SMEs
Supports Canadian SMEs entering new markets
Latest source updateLast Update: May 1, 2026Latest change: CanExport SMEs now shows the 2026-27 application window, updated program requirements, and the new applicant guide.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: May 1, 2026
Latest change: CanExport SMEs now shows the 2026-27 application window, updated program requirements, and the new applicant guide.
CanExport SMEs updated for 2026-27 intake
CanExport SMEs has been updated to reflect the 2026-27 intake, including the application deadline of May 29, 2026 and notice that program requirements have changed since the 2025 period. The page now points applicants to the new 2026-27 applicant guide, the “what’s changed this year” page, and updated application instructions and support links. The core funding overview still indicates up to $50,000 for eligible Canadian SMEs, while the program’s scope remains focused on export-related business development in new international markets. The prior maintenance notice and closed-intake messaging are no longer the main status shown on the page.
Funding available
$ 10,000 - $ 50,000
Deadline
August 31, 2026
Opened February 4, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
CanExport SMEs offers competitive cost-shared funding of $10,000 to $50,000 to eligible Canadian SMEs developing new international markets. For the 2026–2027 intake, the $3.1 million allocation for U.S.-market projects is fully committed and new U.S. applications are no longer accepted; applications submitted before June 30 continue to be assessed. Applications for other eligible markets remain open until August 31, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop a new product or service
- Develop an online presence
- Access new markets
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 50,000 $
- Minimum amount : 10,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
- From $ 300,000 to $ 100,000,000 in revenue
Organisation size
- 3-500 employees
Audience
- Canadians
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Travel to foreign markets to meet key contacts or conduct market visits.
- In-person participation in international trade events such as trade fairs, conferences, seminars, international forums, and business exhibitions.
- Market research, feasibility studies, identification of key contacts, and B2B facilitation.
- Adaptation and translation of marketing tools, contractual agreements, and interpretation services.
- Intellectual property protection activities in target markets.
Documents Needed
- Certificate of incorporation and/or Legal Name Change Certificate, if applicable.
- GST 34 return or FPZ-500-V for Quebec-based applicants.
- Latest fiscal year Income Statement from Corporate Income Tax Return (Form T2SCH125) if the company is exempt from GST/HST or exclusively conducts international sales.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises established in Canada.
- For-profit incorporated legal entities, limited liability partnerships, and cooperatives.
- Businesses with an active Canada Revenue Agency business number.
Who is not eligible
- Sole proprietorships, limited partnerships, non-profit organizations, franchisees, and third-party representatives acting for another entity.
- Businesses whose core activity is Canadian primary agriculture, agri-food production (including alcoholic beverages), agri-products, fish, or seafood must use the AgriMarketing Program: Market Diversification for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises instead.
- AgTech and agrotechnology, post-harvest food technology, agricultural machinery and equipment, and life sciences remain eligible when the core business is not primary agriculture, agri-food production, or agri-products.
- Projects focused on recreational cannabis, tobacco, vaping or similar recreational inhalation products, and unabated fossil fuels are not eligible.
Eligible expenses
- International travel for approved market-development activities, including airfare, seat selection, baggage, ground transportation, airport travel and parking, electronic travel authorization and mandatory visa fees.
- A total daily per diem allowance of $600 per eligible traveler supports accommodation, meals and incidentals on approved travel, including departure and return days, for no more than 30 consecutive days. Travel costs may be claimed for up to 2 Canada-based employees per trip.
- In-person international trade-event costs, including registration, booth rental and setup, utilities, equipment, liability insurance, shipping, handling and meeting-room rental.
- Target-market promotional material, website adaptation or translation, interpretation, contractual work, supplier-diversity certification, market research, feasibility studies, B2B facilitation, professional advice and intellectual-property protection.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Recreational cannabis, tobacco, vaping products, and similar substance inhalation industries; medical cannabis projects unless the products or services are intended for medical use and comply with Government of Canada policies.
- Projects related to the extraction, production, transportation, refining, or marketing of unabated crude oil, natural gas, or thermal coal, and unabated fossil fuel power generation.
- Ongoing or core operational activities, preparing an application or claim, capital costs and office supplies, acquiring capital assets, overhead, employee salaries or commissions, GST and refundable taxes, activities outside the project period, unspecified activities, honoraria, training costs, and prototype development.
- Travel and event exclusions such as travel in Canada, non-approved destinations, non-employee travel, long-term rentals, reward points, passports or vaccinations, insurance, hospitality, virtual events, Canada events, private events or workshops, keynote or panel speaking, direct sales at events, sponsorship unless required, and reusable items.
- Consultant or contractor travel or per diem, retainer fees, monthly installments, advance fees, commission-based payments, and consultants or contractors hired via freelance platforms.
Eligible geographic areas
- Other eligible international markets. New applications targeting the U.S. market are closed for the current intake.
Selection criteria
- Projects must represent new or expanded initiatives that go beyond the company’s core activities.
- Objectives, activities, expected outcomes, and proposed expenses must be realistic, specific, and reasonable.
- The choice of target markets must show commercial potential for the product or service.
- The applicant’s human and financial capacity, export history, past interactions with CanExport, the TCS, and GAC, and export readiness are reviewed.
- Special consideration is given to export diversification, markets covered by bilateral or regional free trade agreements or negotiations, defence projects, and businesses owned or led by women, Indigenous Peoples, Black Canadians, LGBTQ2+ people, visible minorities, and young entrepreneurs.
How to apply
- Create an account or sign in to the CanExport online portal.
- Complete and update My Profile and, after account verification, complete the Account Profile.
- Submit the CanExport SMEs application through My Applications > CanExport > New Application > SME.
- New applications targeting the U.S. market are no longer accepted; U.S. applications submitted before June 30 continue to be assessed.
- Applications for other eligible markets must be submitted by August 31, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET. Plan for a service standard of up to 60 business days.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are assessed against eligibility requirements, alignment with program objectives, and the information provided in the application.
- Applicants receive an email confirmation when the application is received.
- Funding decisions are sent by email to the Legal Signing Authority and are final and non-negotiable.
- Successful applicants receive the funding agreement by email and must review, sign, and return it within 20 business days.
- NRC IRAP manages funding agreements, processes claims, and issues payments; contribution recipients submit claims and a status report, while grant recipients do not submit claims.
Additional information
- The program is delivered by Global Affairs Canada in partnership with the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP).
- In fiscal year 2025–2026, CanExport SMEs received close to 4,000 applications, approved around 40% of eligible applicants, and supported more than 1,500 Canadian businesses.
- The agriculture, agri-food, agri-products, fish and seafood sectors are now supported through the AgriMarketing market-diversification program for SMEs.
- Official source status as of August 5, 2026: new U.S.-market applications are closed; other eligible markets remain open until August 31, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the CanExport SMEs Program
What is the CanExport SMEs?
CanExport SMEs offers competitive cost-shared funding of $10,000 to $50,000 to eligible Canadian SMEs developing new international markets. For the 2026–2027 intake, the $3.1 million allocation for U.S.-market projects is fully committed and new U.S. applications are no longer accepted; applications submitted before June 30 continue to be assessed. Applications for other eligible markets remain open until August 31, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET.
How much funding can be received?
CanExport SMEs Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $50,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program is August 31, 2026. Applicants must submit their complete application before this date to be considered for funding.
Who is eligible for the CanExport SMEs program?
To be eligible for the CanExport SMEs program, you must:
Be established in Canada, operate for profit, and be legally structured as an incorporated company, LLP, or cooperative with an active CRA business number.
Have between 3 and 500 full-time employees and annual revenue between $300,000 and $100 million.
Demonstrate meaningful economic ties to Canada and target a new eligible market.
What expenses are eligible under CanExport SMEs?
Travel to foreign markets to meet key contacts or conduct market visits.
In-person participation in international trade events such as trade fairs, conferences, seminars, international forums, and business exhibitions.
Market research, feasibility studies, identification of key contacts, and B2B facilitation.
Adaptation and translation of marketing tools, contractual agreements, and interpretation services.
Intellectual property protection activities in target markets.
Who can I contact for more information about the CanExport SMEs?
You can contact Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) by email at canexportsmes@international.gc.ca or by phone at 1 (343) 203-6820.
Where is the CanExport SMEs available?
The CanExport SMEs program is available across Canada.