grant_single_labels|summary

grant_single|eligibleFinancing
  • grant_single|fromMinToMax
  • grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
  • grant_single|openingDate March 13, 2025
  • grant_single|closingDate May 31, 2025
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
  • grant_single|allIndustries
grant_single|grantors
  • Trade Commissioner Service (TCS)
  • Government of Canada
  • Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open

grant_single_labels|preview

The CanExport SMEs program, offered by Canada's Trade Commissioner Service, provides financial aid of up to $50,000 to encourage small and medium-sized enterprises to export Canadian goods and services to new international markets. Eligible activities include cost-sharing for international business development, aiming at diversifying exports and fostering global expansion for Canadian businesses.

grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions

  • Funding covering 50 % of the eligible costs of a project.
  • Minimum funding amount of 10 000 $ and maximum of 50 000 $ per project and per year.
  • The total eligible cost of the project must be between 20 000 $ and 100 000 $.
  • Total financial assistance from Canadian government sources cannot exceed 75 % of the project costs.
  • A business can receive a maximum of 99 999 $ from CanExport SMEs per financial year.

grant_single_labels|projects

  • Participating in trade events abroad to meet with key contacts from target markets.
  • In-person participation as an exhibitor at international trade events.
  • Shipping and handling for items related to event participation.
  • Business meeting room rentals abroad.
  • Creating and adapting promotional materials for foreign markets.
  • Website adaption to specific target markets.
  • Video creation or adaptation for trade events or meetings in foreign markets.
  • Advertising participation in trade events in target markets.
  • Interpretation services for in-person international interactions.
  • Adapting and translating contractual agreements for target markets.
  • Supplier diversity certification fees for recognized bodies in foreign markets.
  • Legal, tax, and business consulting for target market entry.
  • Market research, feasibility studies, and identification of key business contacts in target markets.
  • Filing applications for intellectual property protection in international markets.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$ 49,000

Developing market entry strategies for European textile industry

$ 48,500

Establishing partnerships with Middle Eastern food distributors

$ 49,500

Adapting tech solutions for the Latin American healthcare sector

$ 50,000

Expanding clean energy product line in Scandinavian countries

$ 48,000

Launching digital marketing campaigns for Asian tech markets

$ 47,000

Developing distribution strategies for the Australian beverage market

grant_single_labels|admissibility

  • The company must be established in Canada and be a for-profit entity.
  • The company must be an incorporated legal entity, limited liability partnership (LLP), or cooperative in Canada.
  • The business must have an active Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number.
  • The company must have between 1 and 500 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.
  • The company must have between $100,000 and $100 million in annual revenue declared in Canada during its last complete tax reporting year or during the last 12 months for monthly and quarterly filers.
  • The company must legally own the goods and services intended for export.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

  • Businesses established in Canada
  • For-profit entities
  • Incorporated legal entities, limited liability partnerships (LLP), or cooperatives in Canada
  • Enterprises with an active Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number
  • Businesses with between 1 and 500 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
  • Enterprises with annual revenue between $100,000 and $100 million declared in Canada during the last complete tax reporting year or the last 12 months for monthly and quarterly filers

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

  • Sole proprietorships
  • Limited partnerships (LP)
  • Third-party representatives, including agents, promoters, sales representatives, consultants
  • Trading houses and export brokers (unless for the agriculture and agri-food sector)
  • Distributors and wholesalers acting as intermediaries
  • Franchisees (only the franchisor is eligible)
  • Companies related to recreational cannabis, tobacco, vaping, or similar industries
  • Projects related to unabated fossil fuel energy sectors
  • Companies with insufficient economic ties to Canada
  • Applications from corporate entities that do not demonstrate meaningful economic ties to Canada
  • A company applying on behalf of another entity identified by a different CRA business number, such as a parent company applying for its subsidiary
  • Consultants applying on behalf of their clients

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

  • International travel expenses for meetings or events with key contacts, including airfare, ground transportation, per diems, and mandatory visa fees.
  • Expenses related to participation in international trade events, such as booth rental, on-site booth design and installation, utilities for booths, business card scanner rentals, and shipping and handling of event materials.
  • Creation or translation of marketing materials from English or French to a language used in the target market, including brochures, flyers, banners, and website adaptation.
  • Creation or adaptation of videos for trade events or meetings, including infographics, voiceover, animations, and translations.
  • Advertising costs specific to trade event participation targeted to the approved target market.
  • Interpreter fees for in-person interactions with key contacts.
  • Adaptation and translation of contractual agreements.
  • Supplier diversity certification fees recognized in the target market.
  • Consultant or legal firm fees for expert business, tax, or legal advice specific to the target market.
  • Consultant fees for market research, feasibility studies, identification of key contacts, and facilitation of B2B meetings.
  • Costs related to the protection of intellectual property in the target market, including filing patent applications and trademark registrations.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

  • Small and medium-sized enterprises established in Canada.
  • Legal entities incorporated or with a limited liability partnership or cooperative status in Canada.

grant_single_labels|criteria

  • Represents new or expanded initiatives aligned with the company's international business development goals and goes beyond the company's core activities.
  • Clear explanation of how a new project builds on or differs from previous projects, especially for repeat market entries.
  • The objectives, activities, and expected outcomes of the project are realistic.
  • The proposed activities and expenses are specific and reasonable, with a preference for projects that include participation in established commercial events with fixed dates.
  • Demonstrated commercial potential of the product or service in the target market(s) through market research or other information.
  • Capacity in terms of human and financial resources to undertake the proposed activities.
  • Previous export history and past interactions with CanExport, the TCS, and partners of Global Affairs Canada.
  • Performance on previous CanExport projects and expectation to claim the majority of the funds awarded.
  • Failure to comply with any conditions of a previously funded project considered in the evaluation of a new application.
  • Alignment with the Government of Canada's Export Diversification Strategy, prioritizing applications focusing on export diversification.
  • Projects targeting markets covered by free trade agreements.
  • Applications from businesses owned or led by traditionally underrepresented groups in international trade, such as women, Indigenous Peoples, Black Canadians, LGBTQ2+, visible minorities, and young entrepreneurs.

grant_single_labels|apply

1
Select Target Markets
  • Select a maximum of 5 international markets where your company wishes to make sales or secure new customers.
  • Provide reasons for choosing your target market(s).
2
Confirm Eligibility
  • Ensure each market meets the CanExport SMEs definition of a new and eligible target market.
  • Indicate your company's total revenue and revenues for each target market for the last complete fiscal year.
3
Set Objectives and Plan
  • Set realistic objectives for each target market.
  • Outline a detailed plan of action in your application.
4
Select Activities
  • Choose from 8 categories of activities to achieve your objectives.
  • Verify each proposed expense for eligibility.
5
Prepare Budget
  • Provide a detailed and specific budget.
  • Ensure the total budget is between $20,000 and $100,000.
6
Set Timeframe
  • Allow at least 60 business days between submission and the start of the first activity.
  • Select a project termination date that aligns with the project duration.
7
Submit Application
  • Access the online portal optimized for Chrome, Edge, or Firefox.
  • Regularly save your information during the application process.
  • Submit before the deadline and ensure all information is comprehensive and accurate.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

  • The program reserves the right to verify information and request supporting documentation at any time during or after the project.
  • Decisions on funding are final and cannot be appealed or negotiated.
  • All funding agreements are managed through the NRC IRAP, which also processes reporting and claims.
  • If the funding agreement is not signed and returned within 20 business days, the offer is forfeited.

grant_single_labels|documents

CanExport SMEs

grant_single_labels|contact

nrc.canexport-help-aide-canexport.cnrc@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Apply to this program

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