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Creative Export Canada (CEC) — Export Development Stream (EDS)

Supports creative industry export growth

Offered by
Canadian Heritage
Official source: canada.ca

Source change captured

Funding available
$ 90,000
Up to 75% of project cost
Deadline
Unspecified
Location
Canada
Who can apply
For-profit companies in the creative industries
See full eligibility

Overview

Creative Export Canada’s Export Development Stream offers up to $90,000 per fiscal year to Canadian for-profit companies and not-for-profit organizations to build export capacity, expand into international markets, and develop business networks. Eligible support covers export planning, training and mentorship, and market development activities for ready-to-sell creative content.

At a glance

Funding available

Maximum funding
$90,000
Maximum share of project costs
75%
Financing goals
  • Access new markets
  • Launch or market a product/service

Eligible candidates

Location
  • Canada
Eligible Industries
All industries
Annual revenue
$ 10,000,000 maximum revenue
Organisation size
1 employees minimum
Audience
All groups
Legal structures
Non-profit, For-profit business

Receipt of requests is now closed

Get notified about updates to this grant.

Availability timeline

2026
Periods: 1

Latest changes

CEC Export Development Stream is now closed

The Export Development Stream and the Creative Export Canada intake windows are now closed, and the next period for expenses starting April 1, 2027 will be announced in fall 2026.

See more

The Creative Export Canada page now says the Export-Ready Stream application period for expenses between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027 is closed, and the Export Development Stream deadline for the same expense period is now closed as well. The Export Development Stream page also changed its status from Open to Closed. The next intake period for expenses starting April 1, 2027 will be announced in fall 2026.

Official source: canada.ca
July 28, 2026

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • For-profit companies in the creative industries
  • Not-for-profit organizations in the creative industries
  • Canadian-owned and controlled entities
  • Creative industry organizations with export-ready content and international market goals

Who is not eligible

  • Individuals.
  • Other financial support programs or funds, either public or private.
  • Public relations agencies or marketing agencies.
  • Entities or subsidiaries of a parent company with more than $10 million in annual revenues in their most recent fiscal year.

Eligible expenses

  • Export planning costs, including export plans or market entry strategies, market research, distribution and logistics planning, business services, legal services, and online strategy.
  • Export training and mentorship costs, including export training, networking activities, matchmaking services, international business advisory services, and mentoring.
  • International market readiness costs, including versioning, dubbing, translation and interpretation, intellectual property protection, shipping and handling, website development, and initial e-commerce platform development.
  • Market development costs, including eligible travel, business-to-business networking, trade show or exhibition space, venue rentals, conference fees, marketing materials, and advertising.
  • Administrative costs such as office supplies, mailing, and cloud storage, plus salaries directly related to the project.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

  • Ongoing operating expenditures, routine or recurring activities, ongoing overhead, and salaries or wages not directly related to the project, including grant writing.
  • Capital expenses related to the applicant’s ongoing operating activities, such as computer or equipment purchases.
  • Creative content creation and development, and production of creative content destined for export.
  • Hospitality and related expenses, contingency funds, and prizes, gifts and giveaways.
  • Creative content not related to an eligible creative industry, travel expenses relating to government-led trade missions, and expenses relating to lobbying, public relations, policy development, and influence.

Eligible geographic areas

  • Canada

Activities funded

  • Export planning activities.
  • Export training and mentorship activities.
  • International market readiness activities.
  • Market development activities.
  • Projects that expand sales into international markets or develop international business networks and partnerships around ready-for-sale creative content.

How to apply

  • Step 1: Review guidelines
    • Read the full application guidelines before applying.
  • Step 2: Prepare the application package
    • Complete, sign, and date the application form.
    • Prepare the project budget using the required template.
    • Gather the required supporting documents.
  • Step 3: Submit by email
    • Send the complete application package electronically to creativeexportcanada-exportationcreativecanada@pch.gc.ca.
    • Do not use file-sharing websites to submit files.
  • Step 4: Confirm receipt
    • Watch for the acknowledgement email from the program.
    • Contact the program if no confirmation is received within two weeks.

Documents Needed

  • Completed, dated and signed application form
  • Project budget using the required template
  • Incorporation documents or proof of registration on First Nations reserve lands
  • Most recent financial statements
  • Written confirmation of other funding sources, collaborators, partners, or service providers, if applicable

Selection criteria

  • Project viability
  • Potential to expand international sales and business networks
  • Applicant’s ability to deliver the expected results
  • Special consideration may be given to applicants outside Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal, as well as projects supporting Indigenous peoples, equity-deserving communities, environmental sustainability, or first-time applicants

Processing and Agreement

  • The program will acknowledge receipt of the application within two weeks of receiving it by email, and applicants should contact the program if no acknowledgment is received within two weeks of submission.
  • Once the assessment of the proposed project is complete, applicants will be informed of the status of their application.
  • Decisions regarding eligibility and funding amounts are final.
  • If approved, funding will be disbursed as a grant or contribution; contribution recipients must sign a funding agreement that specifies the terms and conditions to receive payment.
  • Interim reports may be required during the project, and a final report is required at the end of the funding period, with project results due three months after the project end date.

Additional information

  • The Stream is highly competitive, with only a limited number of projects funded each year.
  • The program will host webinars to provide tips on submitting your application to the EDS.

Contacts

creativeexportcanada-exportationcreativecanada@pch.gc.ca
819-997-0055

Official sources

Application Guidelines - Export Development Stream

Program guide

Creative Export CanadaExport Development Stream - Creative Export Canada

Application form

Forms - Creative Export Canada
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Creative Export Canada (CEC) — Export Development Stream (EDS) Program

What is the Creative Export Canada (CEC) — Export Development Stream (EDS)?

Creative Export Canada’s Export Development Stream offers up to $90,000 per fiscal year to Canadian for-profit companies and not-for-profit organizations to build export capacity, expand into international markets, and develop business networks. Eligible support covers export planning, training and mentorship, and market development activities for ready-to-sell creative content.

How much funding can be received?

Creative Export Canada (CEC) — Export Development Stream (EDS) Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $90,000 per project.

Who is eligible for the Creative Export Canada (CEC) — Export Development Stream (EDS) program?

To be eligible for the Creative Export Canada (CEC) — Export Development Stream (EDS) program, you must: Canadian-incorporated business or organization Canadian-owned and controlled Annual revenue under $10 million

What expenses are eligible under Creative Export Canada (CEC) — Export Development Stream (EDS)?

Export planning costs, including export plans or market entry strategies, market research, distribution and logistics planning, business services, legal services, and online strategy. Export training and mentorship costs, including export training, networking activities, matchmaking services, international business advisory services, and mentoring. International market readiness costs, including versioning, dubbing, translation and interpretation, intellectual property protection, shipping and handling, website development, and initial e-commerce platform development. Market development costs, including eligible travel, business-to-business networking, trade show or exhibition space, venue rentals, conference fees, marketing materials, and advertising. Administrative costs such as office supplies, mailing, and cloud storage, plus salaries directly related to the project.

Who can I contact for more information about the Creative Export Canada (CEC) — Export Development Stream (EDS)?

You can contact Canadian Heritage by email at creativeexportcanada-exportationcreativecanada@pch.gc.ca or by phone at 819-997-0055.

Where is the Creative Export Canada (CEC) — Export Development Stream (EDS) available?

The Creative Export Canada (CEC) — Export Development Stream (EDS) program is available across Canada.

Is the Creative Export Canada (CEC) — Export Development Stream (EDS) a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Creative Export Canada (CEC) — Export Development Stream (EDS) is a Grant and Funding