Export Trade Assistance
PE, Canada
Funding to explore new global opportunities in PEI
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
grant_single|financingType
Grant and Funding
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Arts, entertainment and recreation
grant_single|grantors
- Government of Prince Edward Island
- Innovation PEI
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Get up to $3,000 to cover a maximum of 75% of the eligible expenses to get assistance in coordinated trade activities including virtual trade initiatives, travel related activities and incoming buyer assistance focused on bringing buyers and business part
grant_single_labels|projects
Eligible projects and activities for the Export Trade Assistance grant include those that support small businesses in Prince Edward Island with exploring new global opportunities and enhancing their export capabilities.
- Travel Related Activity: participation in Innovation PEI Global Trade coordinated trade missions and trade shows.
- Virtual Trade Activity: preparation and participation in virtual trade environments, including registration fees, virtual booths, digital content, marketing materials, shipping samples, and consultant fees.
- Incoming Buyers Assistance: bringing qualified buyers/partners to Prince Edward Island for facility visits or familiarization tours.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$2,400
Montreal
Bring international buyers to Montreal for facility visits and familiarization tours
$2,175
Vancouver
Organize a virtual trade show to connect with international buyers
$1,125
Calgary
Travel to Calgary for an Innovation PEI Global Trade mission
$1,950
Halifax
Set up a virtual booth at an international trade fair from Halifax
$1,950
Toronto
Participate in a trade show to showcase eco-friendly products
$2,175
Winnipeg
Engage in virtual trade activities to enter new markets from Winnipeg
grant_single_labels|admissibility
A business must be located in Prince Edward Island and meet specific conditions to be eligible for Export Trade Assistance.
- Be registered to conduct business and actively operate in Prince Edward Island
- An active exporter OR export-ready business
- Exports products and/or services that it manufactures, processes, or develops primarily for export
- Operates within one of these strategic sectors:
- Bioscience
- Aerospace and defence
- Advanced manufacturing and processing
- Food, seafood, and beverage processors/manufacturers
- Renewable energy and clean technology
- Information and communications technology
- Professional services
- Creative and cultural industries
- First-of-its-kind exportable goods or services in other sectors may be considered
- Ineligible applicants include:
- Retail and consumer service businesses
- A business that has a defaulted outstanding debt obligation on file in the Province’s Central Default Registry
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Yes, there are eligible types of companies for the Export Trade Assistance grant. Eligible businesses must be located in Prince Edward Island and operate within specific strategic sectors.
- Bioscience
- Aerospace and Defence
- Advanced Manufacturing and Processing
- Food, Seafood, and Beverage Processors/Manufacturers
- Renewable Energy and Clean Technology
- Information and Communications Technology
- Professional Services
- Creative and Cultural Industries
- First-of-its-kind exportable goods or services in other sectors may be considered
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Some types of companies are not eligible for the Export Trade Assistance grant.
- Retail and consumer service businesses
- A business that has a defaulted outstanding debt obligation on file in the Province’s Central Default Registry
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
An eligible business may access support for eligible costs related to travel, virtual trade activities, and bringing buyers to the province.
- Travel Related Activity: Economy travel, accommodation, and meals per diem.
- Virtual Trade Activity: Registration fee, virtual preparation, shipping costs for samples, and consultant fees related to shows, missions, and B2B events.
- Incoming Buyers Assistance: Economy travel, accommodation, and meal per diem for buyers/partners.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The eligible geographic zone for this grant is Prince Edward Island. Businesses must be located in Prince Edward Island and must be registered to conduct business and actively operate there.
- Businesses must be located in Prince Edward Island.
- Businesses must be registered to conduct business and actively operate in Prince Edward Island.
grant_single_labels|criteria
Yes, there are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. Submitted applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis and evaluated using several considerations to determine eligibility and potential for funding.
- potential for long-term viability;
- export sales potential;
- qualifications and track records of managers;
- economic benefit to the province and business;
- availability of assistance funds;
- employment creation; and
- level of assistance from other government programs offered or available.
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Consult with an Innovation PEI Trade Development Officer for guidance on the suitability of the project and the application process.
- Step 2: Prepare detailed business information and supporting documents, including:
- History and description of the business
- Annual sales and market details
- Description of the proposed project or activity in relation to the products and/or services delivered by the business
- Detailed description of the economic benefits to the organization and to Prince Edward Island
- Detailed budget of estimated costs of the proposed project or activity (supported by written quotations)
- Export details (e.g., per cent of business that is export, largest export markets, markets of interest)
- Step 3: Submit the application and all required supporting documents before making any financial or legal commitment to the project.
- Step 4: Await review, as applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. The review will include evaluations based on long-term viability, export sales potential, qualifications of managers, economic benefit, availability of assistance funds, employment creation, and assistance from other government programs.
- Step 5: Accept the full terms and conditions of the assistance if the application is approved, which then constitutes a contract between Innovation PEI and the applicant(s).
- Step 6: Monitor performance as required by Innovation PEI’s terms and conditions.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
This grant is designed to support PEI businesses in global trade activities with specific guidelines and a structured application process.
- Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- Innovation PEI reserves the right to deny applications or payment requests if fraud is suspected.
- An application must be submitted before any financial or legal commitment is made on the project.
- Further application details include the history and description of the business, annual sales and market details, and a detailed budget of estimated costs supported by written quotations.
Apply to this program
Export Trade Assistance Grant Overview
The Export Trade Assistance grant supports Prince Edward Island small businesses that are active exporters or export-ready. Eligible businesses may receive financial assistance for travel-related activities, virtual trade initiatives, and bringing buyers to the province.
Introduction to Export Trade Assistance Grant
The Export Trade Assistance grant is a strategic initiative by Innovation PEI aimed at bolstering the international trade capabilities of small businesses in Prince Edward Island (PEI). This grant provides essential support to companies that are either active exporters or deemed export-ready, helping them to explore new global opportunities. It's designed to empower businesses by defraying costs associated with participating in trade missions, virtual trade events, and facilitating visits from potential buyers and business partners. Below, we delve into the specifics of how the grant operates, who is eligible, and the benefits it provides.
Eligibility Criteria for Export Trade Assistance
To be eligible for the Export Trade Assistance grant, a business must meet several key criteria:
- Location: The business must be registered and actively operating in Prince Edward Island.
- Export Status: The business must be an active exporter or ready to export products/services primarily for international markets.
- Products and Services: The exports must be products and/or services manufactured, processed, or developed by the business.
- Strategic Sectors: The business must operate within one of the following strategic sectors:
- Bioscience
- Aerospace and defence
- Advanced manufacturing and processing
- Food, seafood, and beverage processors/manufacturers
- Renewable energy and clean technology
- Information and communications technology
- Professional services
- Creative and cultural industries
- Other sectors with exportable goods or services considered on a case-by-case basis
- Debt Status: The business must not have any defaulted outstanding debt obligations recorded in the Province’s Central Default Registry.
It's important to note that retail and consumer service businesses are ineligible for the grant. Additionally, if a business is in default on any reporting, project completion, or financial obligations to Innovation PEI, new project submissions will not be reviewed until the default is resolved.
Supported Activities and Costs
The Export Trade Assistance grant covers a variety of activities and costs, categorized into three main areas:
1. Travel Related Activity
Innovation PEI may cover up to 40% of pre-determined eligible costs for participation in approved Global Trade coordinated trade activities, including outbound trade missions and trade shows. Eligible costs include:
- Economy travel expenses
- Accommodation costs
- Meals per diem (for up to 2 representatives per business)
2. Virtual Trade Activity
For businesses preparing for and participating in virtual trade activities, the grant covers up to 40% of pre-determined eligible costs, with a maximum contribution of $3,000. Eligible expenses include:
- Registration fees for the virtual trade activity (limited to 2 representatives per business)
- Virtual preparation costs (e.g., virtual booth, digital content, activity-specific marketing materials)
- Shipping costs for sending samples to virtual B2B events
- Consultant fees related to digital marketing, IT, or in-market services specific to shows, missions, and B2B events
Note that Innovation PEI reserves the right to limit such activities to three annually per business.
3. Incoming Buyers Assistance
The grant covers up to 75% of pre-determined eligible costs, with a maximum contribution of $3,000, to bring qualified buyers or partners to Prince Edward Island for facility visits or familiarization tours. Eligible expenses include:
- Economy travel expenses for the buyers/partners
- Accommodation costs
- Meals per diem (for up to 2 buyers per business per visit)
Businesses must cover the remaining 25% of total costs. Innovation PEI reserves the right to limit such activities to two annually per business.
Evaluation Criteria
Eligible businesses that submit complete applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Not all projects that meet the minimum criteria will necessarily receive funding. Applications are evaluated based on the following considerations:
- Potential for long-term viability
- Export sales potential
- Qualifications and track records of managers
- Economic benefit to the province and the business
- Availability of assistance funds
- Employment creation
- Level of assistance from other government programs offered or available
Innovation PEI also reserves the right to deny grant applications or requests for payments if fraudulent intent is suspected or detected.
Performance Monitoring and Reporting
Businesses receiving the Export Trade Assistance grant must accept the full terms and conditions at the time of application. The terms and conditions, application, request for payment, and guidelines form a contract between Innovation PEI and the applicant(s). Compliance with these terms and conditions is essential for continued eligibility and future funding opportunities.
How to Apply for Export Trade Assistance
Innovation PEI encourages potential applicants to consult with an Innovation PEI Trade Development Officer for guidance on the suitability of their project and the application process. If the project is deemed not suitable for Export Trade Assistance, the Trade Development Officer may recommend alternative funding programs.
Applications must be submitted before any financial or legal commitments are made on the project. To complete the application, businesses should be prepared to provide detailed information and supporting documents, including:
- A history and description of the business
- Annual sales and market details
- A description of the proposed project or activity related to the products or services delivered by the business
- A detailed description of the economic benefits to the organization and Prince Edward Island
- A detailed budget of estimated costs for the proposed project or activity, supported by written quotations
- Export details, such as the percentage of the business that is export-oriented and the largest export markets (up to three), along with markets of interest
Conclusion
The Export Trade Assistance grant is a valuable resource for small businesses in Prince Edward Island looking to expand their international presence. By alleviating some of the financial burdens associated with trade missions, virtual trade activities, and buyer visits, the grant aims to foster economic growth and development within the province. For businesses that meet the eligibility criteria, this grant provides an excellent opportunity to explore and capitalize on global markets.
