Export Market Access Program (EMAP)
PE, Canada
Money to enhance export marketing for Prince Edward Island businesses
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|fromMinToMax
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- grant_single|allIndustries
grant_single|grantors
- LearnSphere
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Get up to $15,000 to cover 45% of the costs of short-term projects relating to export strategy, planning and marketing activities.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant is available to companies operating within specific areas as outlined by the funding body. Companies must be located within these geographical boundaries to be eligible for consideration.
- Businesses operating in Prince Edward Island.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$6,750
Launching a paid online advertising campaign for international market reach
$11,250
Creating a video series to showcase products in new export markets
$9,000
Developing an export strategy to expand into the US market
$7,200
Developing a social media strategy to boost exports to the European market
$8,100
Conducting market research to identify potential export opportunities in the Asian market
$13,500
Participating in an international trade show to promote products to the European market
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the business's operations and activities.
- The business must have a Canada Revenue Agency Business Number.
- The business must operate in Prince Edward Island.
- The business must be currently exporting or planning to start exporting.
- The business must not be in retail/wholesale, real estate, government services, personal or social services, or softwood lumber sectors.
- The business must not make any financial commitments prior to submission or incur costs that will not be eligible.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The EMAP and E for E programs are open to SMEs with a Canada Revenue Agency Business Number, operating in Prince Edward Island, currently exporting or planning to start exporting. These programs exclude sectors such as retail/wholesale, real estate, government services, personal or social services, and softwood lumber. Moreover, while professional services like marketing firms or business coaches typically are not eligible, they may be considered if the project offers a unique and strategic economic opportunity for Atlantic Canada. Importantly, the businesses applying need to submit applications that demonstrate potential increases in sales outside of Canada.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
The Export Market Access Program and E-tools for Exporting Program include specific restrictions on company types and industries to align with program objectives. These exclusions help ensure funding supports strategic growth sectors in Prince Edward Island.
- Retail/wholesale businesses.
- Real estate companies.
- Government service providers.
- Personal or social service industries.
- Softwood lumber sector businesses.
- Professional services such as marketing firms, creative agencies, business coaches, and fitness coaches, unless the project offers a unique strategic opportunity with economic benefits for Atlantic Canada.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant offers funding opportunities for SMEs in Prince Edward Island to enhance their export activities. Eligible projects focus on strategies and tools that promote Canadian products in international markets.
- Market research or export plan development.
- Lead generation activities.
- Sales activities, including mapping the sales process and creating a sales playbook.
- Translation services.
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO) implementation.
- Paid online advertising campaigns.
- Integration of e-commerce functionality.
- Development of a social media strategy.
- Creation of promotional videos.
- Training, coaching, or mentoring on eligible export growth activities.
- Professional/consulting fees for undertaking eligible activities.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The programs cover specific expenses related to exporting activities and projects aimed at increasing sales outside of Canada.
- Market research or export plan development costs.
- Expenses for lead generation activities.
- Costs related to mapping the sales process and creating a sales playbook.
- Translation costs for marketing or sales materials.
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO) costs.
- Paid online advertising campaign expenses.
- Costs for integration of e-commerce functionality.
- Social media strategy development costs.
- Video production related to export marketing.
- Training, coaching, or mentoring costs for the eligible activities.
- Professional/consulting fees to undertake eligible activities.
- Online advertising costs.
- Costs associated with participating in a trade show.
- Printing costs for brochures.
- Production costs of a trade show booth.
- HST related to eligible expenses.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects for this grant are based on specific criteria to ensure alignment with the grant’s objectives and demonstrate potential economic impact.
- Potential for increased sales outside of Canada.
- Impact on regional economic growth, aligned with the Atlantic Growth Strategy.
- Incrementality - activities must represent new initiatives beyond core activities.
- Feasibility and clarity of the proposed export strategy.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Check Eligibility
- Ensure your business is an SME operating in Prince Edward Island, has a CRA Business Number, and is currently exporting or planning to export.
- Confirm your industry sector is eligible (e.g., not retail/wholesale, real estate, etc.).
- Step 2: Define Project Plan
- Determine eligible activities such as market research, strategy development, or SEO.
- Ensure total project cost is more than $5,000 and that at least 35% of the total costs will be covered by your business.
- Identify consultants at an arm's length and obtain their proposals for the activities planned.
- Step 3: Prepare Application
- Complete the online application form available through LearnSphere.
- Attach consultant proposal(s) detailing the scope and costs of the planned activities.
- Include a recent export market strategy if applying for digital activities.
- Step 4: Submit Application
- Submit the completed application form and all supporting documents to LearnSphere.
- Await confirmation from LearnSphere regarding the evaluation outcome, usually within two weeks.
- Step 5: Contract Agreement
- If approved, review and sign the contract with LearnSphere to formalize partnership.
- Select consultants and commence with the project activities.
- Step 6: Project Execution and Claims
- Complete the project within the stipulated period (up to six months).
- Pay all project-related costs and maintain records of expenses including HST.
- After project completion, submit a claim for reimbursement of eligible expenses to LearnSphere.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure satisfactory completion of work by consultants.
- Applicants cannot make any financial commitments before submitting the application, as pre-incurred costs are ineligible.
- Projects must demonstrate incrementality, going beyond core activities and producing incremental results.
- Applications are evaluated based on the business case and potential economic impact, with alignment to the Atlantic Growth Strategy prioritized.
- Projects typically take 3 to 4 months to complete, with promotional campaigns lasting up to 6 months.
Apply to this program
Strengthening Global Outreach for SMEs
The Export Market Access Program (EMAP) and E-tools for Exporting Program (E for E) offer financial aid to Prince Edward Island SMEs intending to expand their market presence internationally. The programs support diverse export-related activities undertaken by third-party consultants, emphasizing strategic economic benefits and innovation.
Detailed Insights into Export Support Programs for SMEs
The Export Market Access Program (EMAP) and the E-tools for Exporting Program (E for E) represent pivotal financial aid initiatives focused on bolstering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their quest to penetrate global markets. Managed by LearnSphere, with financial backing from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, these programs are engineered to foster international growth by subsidizing critical activities pivotal to export success. Eligible SMEs across Prince Edward Island can avail themselves of these resources, provided they align with industry exclusion criteria, which focus on promoting sectors beyond retail, wholesale, and several other specified categories. This strategic alignment underscores a commitment to nurturing enterprises that can deliver tangible economic benefits to the Atlantic Canada region.
The essence of these programs lies in their coverage of a multitude of export-oriented initiatives. Services eligible for support range from comprehensive market research and strategic development to lead generation, sales activities, and digital marketing endeavors such as SEO, social media strategies, and paid digital advertisements. Furthermore, there are provisions for developing export-focused web enhancements and integrating e-commerce functionalities, crucial for raising a company’s global visibility and reach.
To be eligible, applicants must hold a valid Canada Revenue Agency Business Number, ensuring that only legitimate business entities access these resources. Importantly, funding is dispensed as a reimbursement post-project completion, obliging applicants to initially cover 100% of the costs. Such a mechanism ensures only committed and financially-viable businesses benefit from these opportunities, where 65% of eligible expenses—up to a cap of $15,000—can be recouped, effectively encouraging projects with substantial budgets that herald a sizable economic impact.
Strategically, the EMAP and E for E emphasize the importance of incremental project development, requiring that subsequent initiatives demonstrate progression beyond previous endeavors. This stipulation ensures a continuous growth trajectory, fostering innovation and avoiding redundancy. Every application undergoes a rigorous evaluation, prioritizing projects with the highest potential for regional economic impact, hence sharpening the focus on strategic, high-yield investments into the Atlantic Canadian landscape.
Moreover, the process demands meticulous planning and execution, with companies bearing the onus of consultant selection—these consultants must be independent of the applicant’s organization, fostering unbiased, expert input. Ensuring that all consultancy engagements are at fair market value further echoes the program's commitment to transparent and impactful economic development. LearnSphere facilitates this process, requiring thorough documentation and supporting evidence, thus underpinning effective resource allocation and accountability.
By participating in these programs, SMEs not only gain invaluable financial relief but also embark on a transformative journey towards international market assimilation. The ability to engage in tailored, export-oriented projects confers a competitive edge, propelling businesses towards sustained global success. In summation, the EMAP and E for E programs exemplify a robust framework designed to amplify Canadian SMEs' global footprint while bolstering regional economic advancement through strategic international engagements.
