Export Marketing Assistance Program

This grant offers clear financing modalities aimed at facilitating the export marketing efforts of Northern Ontario SMEs and organizations. These modalities provide partial funding support to encourage marketing activities in new markets.

• Co-financing of up to 50% of total project costs, with a maximum support of $10,000 for export marketing initiatives.
• Reimbursement for eligible expenses such as market research, marketing materials development, and participation in trade events.
• Funding is contingent upon the provision of detailed project costs and objectives.
• Approval of applications on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to fund availability.
• Limited total funding, emphasizing timely application submission.

Eligibility for the Northern Ontario Exports Program is determined by specific criteria related to the nature of the organization and its connection to export markets.

• The applicant must be an ONEDC municipality, trade association, or not-for-profit organization.
• Organizations must represent exporting sectors and companies in Northern Ontario.
• Applicants should be looking to connect with buyers in specific export markets.

Who is eligible?

The Northern Ontario Exports Program is intended for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), industry associations, and not-for-profit organizations in Northern Ontario that are export-ready and operating in sectors such as mining, forestry, manufacturing, fabrication, biotechnology, transportation, renewable energy, digital economy, and consumer-packaged goods. Additionally, the Trade Mission Support Program specifically targets ONEDC municipalities, trade associations, or not-for-profits that represent exporting sectors and companies in Northern Ontario and are looking to connect with foreign buyers.

Eligible expenses

This grant offers support for multiple export-building initiatives aimed at expanding the reach of businesses and organizations from Northern Ontario into new international markets. The projects encouraged under this program focus on fostering export connections, marketing efforts, and operational improvements.

• Organizing and hosting inbound visits by foreign buyers or their representatives.
• Leading multi-party missions to target markets outside of Ontario.
• Conducting market research and gathering in-market intelligence.
• Creating and developing marketing materials, both traditional and digital.
• Participating in trade shows and trade missions.
• Tailoring product labelling for different markets.
• Securing product certification and intellectual property protection.
• Hiring training or planning experts for strategic export planning and sales skills improvement.
• Enhancing operations and productivity through processes such as LEAN.
• Improving procurement, inventory, and supply chain management.
• Marketing and channel development.
• Building cultural awareness to better engage with international markets.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is available to companies located in specific geographical areas determined by the funding body. The eligible areas are focused within Northern Ontario.

• Companies operating in Northern Ontario.
• Entities representing exporting sectors in Northern Ontario.

The Northern Ontario Exports Program has evaluation and selection criteria for its grants. The assessments are based on several key factors.

• Eligibility of the applicant and project
• Relevance of the project to export development
• Demonstrated need for financial assistance
• Clarity and feasibility of the project plan
• Potential impact on export growth and market expansion

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

• The maximum support available for projects under the Trade Mission Support Program and the Export Marketing Assistance Program is fixed at $10,000.
• The Customized Export Development Training Program provides up to $21,000 or 70% of project costs.
• Funding for the programs is limited and assessed on a first-come, first-served basis.
• The Northern Ontario Exports Program is funded by FedNor and the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC).
• Contact information is provided for the Program Manager and Technical Coordinator for more personalized assistance.