How much funding can be received?

This component of the PSCE program aims to enhance SMEs' export capabilities and fast-track their projects in markets outside Quebec. The program supports business projects that seek to market products and services beyond Quebec, promoting the development of foreign markets for SMEs

grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions

Non-repayable contribution, up to a maximum of $100,000 per company per year.
Minimum required spending amount: $25,000.
Minimum contribution from private sources: 25% of the total project cost.
Cumul of government assistance: maximum 65% of eligible expenses.
Maximum aid rate for a first submitted project: 50% of eligible expenses.
Maximum aid rate for a second submitted project: 40% of eligible expenses.
Maximum aid rate for a subsequent project: 25% of eligible expenses.

grant_single_labels|projects

Hiring a specialist in market development outside Quebec (for a maximum period of 52 weeks).
Hiring a sales representative for markets outside Quebec.
Development of an export diagnostic, business plan, or export strategy.
Development of a diagnostic, business plan, or strategy for internationalization.
Acquisition of market development knowledge (coaching or support activities).
Development and implementation of a marketing strategy, including digital marketing for foreign markets, tool development, and advertising in foreign markets.
Carrying out business promotion activities abroad, including virtual activities, such as client or partner prospecting; participation in commercial events outside Quebec (e.g., trade fairs, conferences, exhibitions at a client's premises); undertaking one or more prospecting missions and other trips outside Quebec for company personnel; hosting foreign client companies or partners; and hiring an agent or distributor company.
Conducting a foreign market study.
Actions aimed at obtaining a contract outside Quebec through tendering or invitation.
Obtaining approvals, compliance verifications, or certifications that facilitate exportation.
Steps related to the establishment of an office, subsidiary, or joint venture abroad, or the acquisition of a business outside Quebec, provided the project yields economic benefits for Quebec and does not involve relocation of production units.
International trademark registration.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$ 85,000

Conducting market research to expand into Latin America

$ 100,000

Launching a subsidiary to enter the European market

$ 75,000

Developing a digital marketing strategy for Asian markets

grant_single_labels|admissibility

The applicant must be a for-profit business, a social economy enterprise (cooperatives and non-profit organizations as defined by the relevant law), or a non-financial cooperative.
The applicant must have annual sales between $1 million and $100 million.
All sectors are eligible except for specified exclusions; however, retail businesses are eligible if they meet additional requirements including a minimum $5 million in sales, product development and commercialization activities, and headquarters in Quebec.
Projects must focus on preparation for export, market consolidation, or diversification outside Quebec, and must not be recurring activities.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

For-profit businesses
Social economy enterprises (including cooperatives and non-profit organizations falling under the Social Economy Act)
Non-financial cooperatives

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

Companies operating in the following sectors: agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
Mining, quarrying, oil and gas extraction
Utilities
Retail trade (unless all 4 specific criteria are met: annual revenue of $5M or more, preproduction activities, postproduction activities, and head office in Quebec)
Finance and insurance
Real estate and rental and leasing services
Management of companies and enterprises
Administrative and support services
Educational services
Health care and social assistance
Arts, entertainment, and recreation
Accommodation and food services
Other services (except public administration)

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

Professional fees, including, where applicable, travel and accommodation expenses for external experts, in accordance with Quebec government management policies (limited to $25,000 per project).
Travel and accommodation expenses outside Quebec, following government standards.
Travel and accommodation expenses within Quebec for visitors (clients and partners), as per government standards.
Rental of exhibition space (including virtual), office, or premises outside Quebec.
Purchase of market studies or access to market databases.
Testing and analysis fees for obtaining certification, conformity, or homologation facilitating exportation.
Transportation costs for goods necessary for commercial events (e.g., trade fair, exhibition, conference) outside Quebec.
Salaries, for a maximum of 52 weeks, excluding bonuses and benefits, for hiring a new resource focused on market development outside Quebec (up to $45,000, one recruitment per program duration).
Salaries, for a maximum of 52 weeks, excluding bonuses and benefits, for the hiring of representatives to act as commercial representatives abroad (up to $45,000 each, maximum of three recruitments per program duration).
Advertising costs, publication in social media, sending newsletters, referral fees (e.g., Adwords), as well as annual fees for access to an online sales platform, for the first year of operation (combined total not to exceed $15,000 per project).
Registration or pass fees for commercial events.
Fees for access to a business networking platform.
Shipping costs for samples and promotional materials necessary for commercial events (including virtual) outside Quebec.
Purchase of normative documents.
Fees for international trademark registration.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

Companies with their head office located in Quebec.

grant_single_labels|criteria

Relevance of the project in relation to the company’s business model.
Capacity of the company to carry out the project, considering its financial and human resources.
Situation of the company determining whether financial assistance is a decisive factor for the project’s implementation.
Potential impacts of the project in Quebec in terms of jobs and investments.
Alignment with government export priorities, if applicable.

grant_single_labels|apply

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

This program supports Quebec-based enterprises in commercializing their products and services outside the province, with a maximum aid of $100,000 per enterprise per year.

Suspended as of February 9, 2024, to ensure fund availability.
Requires a minimum of $25,000 in expenses, with at least 25% funded from private sources.
Government aid cannot exceed 65% of eligible expenses.
Eligible sectors exclude agriculture, mining, public services, retail (with exceptions), and several service-oriented sectors.
Projects must focus on export preparation, market consolidation, or diversification.
Eligible expenses include professional fees, travel costs, marketing strategies, and salaries for market development roles.
Priority criteria include relevance to the business model, resource capacity, impact on Quebec's economy, financial necessity, and alignment with government export priorities.