How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 75% of admissible expenses, capped at $90000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is 2024-07-18T07:59:00Z.

Who are the financial supporters of the Creative Export Canada (CEC) — Export Development Stream (EDS)?

Creative Export Canada (CEC) — Export Development Stream (EDS) is funded by Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada

What are Creative Export Canada (CEC) — Export Development Stream (EDS)'s eligibility criterias?

Must be a for-profit entity incorporated under Canadian, provincial, or territorial law Must be Canadian-owned and controlled Annual revenue under $10 million and at least one full-time employee

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

Last Update: June 19, 2025

Canada

Canadian Creative Export supports global market expansion for creative industries

Creative Export Canada (CEC) — Export Development Stream (EDS) at a glance

Eligible Funding

From $15,000 to $90,000
Up to 75% of project cost

Timeline

Closing date : July 18, 2024

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Arts, entertainment and recreation

Grant Providers

Canadian Heritage
Government of Canada

Status

Open

Overview of the Creative Export Canada (CEC) — Export Development Stream (EDS) program

Exportation créative Canada's Export Development Stream offers up to $90,000 per fiscal year to support projects that enhance international sales and business networks for Canadian creative industries. Eligible activities include export planning, training and mentorship, international market preparation, and market development.

Financing terms and conditions

Maximum program funding of up to $90,000 per fiscal year per project.
Government financial assistance (federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal combined) cannot exceed 75% of total eligible project costs.
Projects must have a minimum total cost of $15,000 and require at least 25% private financing (including applicant’s own contribution or a loan from a financial institution).
Funding can support projects lasting up to 24 months, but not past March 31, 2026.

Eligible projects & activities

Projects aiming to increase international sales of Canadian creative industries.
Initiatives to develop or expand international business networks and partnerships within the creative sector.
Export-focused projects with ready-to-market creative content and necessary intellectual property rights.
Collective commercial events or trade missions benefiting multiple creative industry participants with export-ready content.
Projects targeting specific new or existing export markets in eligible creative industries such as crafts, audiovisual, design, music, performing arts, publishing, visual arts, and interactive digital media.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 40,000

Engaging in tailored training programs to enhance export skills for an SME in the culinary sector

$ 50,000

Creating promotional materials for an art gallery seeking international exposure

$ 80,000

Developing business networks and partnerships in the fintech industry

$ 45,000

Consultation services for export market entry for an organic food producer

$ 60,000

Implementing export marketing and sales strategies for a tech startup

$ 75,000

Market research and participation in international trade events for a sustainable fashion brand

Eligibility criteria of the Creative Export Canada (CEC) — Export Development Stream (EDS) program

The applicant must be a for-profit company or a non-profit organization incorporated under Canadian federal, provincial, or territorial law (or registered on Indigenous lands with proof of registration).
The business or organization must be Canadian-owned and controlled.
The applicant must have annual revenues under $10 million CAD for the current or most recent fiscal year.
The organization must have at least one full-time employee (paid, working at least 30 hours per week).
The project must involve developed creative content, with the applicant holding the intellectual property rights or having obtained rights for the targeted export markets.

Who is eligible?

For-profit businesses in the creative industries
Non-profit organizations in the creative industries
Entities owned and controlled by Canadians
Organizations involved in the following sectors:
- Artistic crafts
- Audiovisual
- Design (including exhibition, fashion, artistic product, public art, and urban design)
- Music
- Performing arts
- Publishing (books and periodicals)
- Visual arts
- Interactive digital media (in combination with at least one of the other listed creative industries)

Who is not eligible

Individuals (only organizations or incorporated companies are eligible).
Public or private financial support programs or funds (not operational entities).
Public relations or marketing agencies.
Entities or subsidiaries of a parent company with annual revenues exceeding $10 million in their most recent fiscal year.
Applicants who have received three years of funding from Creative Export Canada within the last five years (including subsidiaries or entities of a qualifying parent company).

Eligible expenses

Costs for export planning activities (such as developing export plans, international marketing plans, market research, distribution and logistics planning, business services, legal and intellectual property services, compliance, certifications, insurance, and e-commerce or online strategy development) up to $30,000 per year.
Training and mentorship activities directly supporting export (including export training, networking, business matching, international advisory services, and mentorship), led by recognized professionals, with a minimum of 30 training hours for participants.
International market preparation expenses (including product adaptation, dubbing, translation and interpretation up to 10% of funding requested, intellectual property protection, shipping and handling, insurance, website and e-commerce platform development, product photography and videography, and software/SEO fees).
Market development expenses (e.g., project-related travel following government travel rates, organizing buyer or stakeholder delegations, structured networking or partnership activities, trade show booth rental, venue rentals, showcase and B2B meeting expenses, conference participation fees, marketing materials production and advertising) up to $40,000 per year.
Administrative project costs (such as office supplies, postage, cloud storage), up to 15% of total eligible project costs.
Salaries directly linked to the project.

Eligible geographic areas

Companies and organizations constituted under the laws of Canada, a Canadian province, or a Canadian territory.
Entities registered on Indigenous lands within Canada.

Eligibility criteria of the Creative Export Canada (CEC) — Export Development Stream (EDS) program

Viability of the project.
Potential for international sales expansion and/or development of international business networks for the beneficiary or project participants/third parties.
Demonstrated ability of the applicant to achieve the expected results, based on experience, expertise, collaborators, partners, or service providers.
Additional consideration may be given to applicants located outside Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal; applicants whose organization or project supports or strengthens Indigenous peoples or equity-deserving communities; applicants whose project promotes environmental sustainability; and applicants who have not previously received funding from Creative Export Canada.

How to apply to the Creative Export Canada (CEC) — Export Development Stream (EDS) program

Step 1: Review Guidelines
- Read the full program guidelines to ensure understanding of requirements and obligations.
Step 2: Prepare Application Package
- Complete the official application form, ensuring it is fully filled, signed, and dated.
- Prepare a detailed project budget using the template provided in the Formulaire de demande.
- Gather supporting documents, which include:
  - Incorporation documents or proof of registration on Indigenous lands.
  - Most recent financial statements.
  - Written confirmations of other sources of funding, collaborators, partners, and/or confirmed service providers, if applicable.
  - For projects involving training or mentorship activities: copies of credentials, biographies, or CVs of key instructors; curriculum or training program; evidence of industry need (such as studies, surveys, or letters of support).
Step 3: Submit Application
- Attach all the required documents as per the instructions in the application form.
- Send the complete application package electronically to: creativeexportcanada-exportationcreativecanada@pch.gc.ca.
Step 4: After Submission
- Wait for a confirmation of receipt from the program team.
- If you do not receive a confirmation email within two weeks, contact the program at the provided email address to confirm receipt.

Additional information

Application packages exceeding 16 MB must be submitted over several clearly labeled emails.
All submitted documents and application information may be used for program evaluation and audit purposes for up to five years.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring all required documents are complete; incomplete applications will be automatically rejected.
Previous funding does not guarantee future support, and all decisions are final.