CanExport SMEs

• Certificate of incorporation or Legal Name Change Certificate, if applicable
• GST 34 return or FPZ-500-V for Quebec-based applicants
• Latest fiscal year Income Statement from Form T2SCH125, if exempt from GST/HST or exclusively conducting international sales

Who is eligible?

• Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) established in Canada
• For-profit incorporated legal entities, limited liability partnerships (LLPs), and cooperatives
• Businesses with at least 3 full-time employees and between $300,000 and $100 million in annual revenue
• Companies in most business sectors seeking to expand into new international markets
• Canadian businesses in eligible sectors such as defence and dual-use technologies, goods, and services
• AgTech and agrotechnology companies
• Food technology (post-harvest) companies
• Agricultural machinery and equipment companies
• Life sciences companies

Who is not eligible

• Sole proprietorships
• Limited partnerships
• Third-party representatives such as agents, promoters, sales representatives, and consultants
• Trading houses and export brokers, except in agriculture and agri-food
• Franchisees

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.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Expenses incurred before the application is submitted.
• Virtual event participation costs.
• Internal operating costs and overhead.
• Advertising and digital marketing expenses not tied to eligible activities.
• Travel costs for non-employees, including consultants.

Eligible geographic areas

• Canada

• Applications are assessed after submission against eligibility requirements, program objectives, and the information provided.
• Funding decisions are usually communicated within 60 business days, or up to 90 business days for U.S. projects outside the defence sector.
• Applicants receive a decision by email, and decisions are final and non-negotiable.
• If approved, the funding agreement is sent by email and must be signed and returned within 20 business days.
• NRC IRAP manages funding agreements, claims, and payments.

• Funding decisions are based only on the information provided in the application.
• Applicants may be asked to provide additional clarification during assessment.
• Approved applicants receive a funding agreement before payment.
• Unsuccessful applicants may submit a revised project in a future intake.