Trade Commissioner Service — CanExport Associations

This grant offers significant financial support to national trade organizations aiming to enhance international business development. It provides up to 50% funding for eligible costs with a clear annual cap to facilitate comprehensive industry benefits.

• Co-financing available covering up to 50% of eligible costs associated with international business development activities.
• An annual funding limit of up to $250,000 per organization.
• Eligible for activities supporting industry-wide benefits, including non-members of the organization.
• Financial support extends to both non-travel and travel-related activities, contingent on government advisories.

Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific criteria related to the applicant's profile and financial capacity.

• The applicant must be a Canadian national trade organization with member companies and a national mandate.
• The applicant must be incorporated as a Canadian not-for-profit corporation, confirmed by articles of incorporation.
• The applicant must have sufficient private revenues to cover 50% of the proposed activities' costs, confirmed by two years of financial statements.
• The applicant must not sell products that are sold by its members.

Who is eligible?

Who is not eligible

This grant is targeted at specific Canadian national trade organizations with certain eligibility criteria. Restrictions are primarily based on the organizational structure and the nature of business activities related to commercial export support.

• Organizations that are not incorporated as Canadian not-for-profit corporations.
• Companies that sell products which are also sold by their members.
• Entities that cannot provide financial statements demonstrating sufficient private revenues to cover 50% of the project costs.

Eligible expenses

The CanExport Associations grant funds initiatives that aim to expand international business development and enhance commercial export capabilities. Eligible projects focus on capacity building, strategic planning, and market engagement to benefit Canadian industries.

• Export training support to industry, such as training on intellectual property protection in foreign markets.
• Creating or updating a strategy for international business development or market diversification.
• Gathering market intelligence through custom research, reports, and studies.
• Translating, adapting, or creating marketing tools and materials.
• Participating in virtual international trade shows, networking sessions, meetings, or conferences.
• In-person participation in international trade shows, networking sessions, meetings, or conferences based on Government of Canada Travel Advisories.
• Organizing international trade missions for SMEs in the industry.
• Organizing an incoming delegation of foreign buyers to Canada.
• Visits to foreign markets.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is targeted at Canadian national industry associations and trade organizations. It does not specify particular eligible geographical areas within Canada, but requires organizations to have a national mandate.

Evaluation and selection criteria for the CanExport Associations grant are based on the following:

• Demonstrated capacity to deliver on proposed activities
• Clear link between proposed activities and international business development goals
• Potential impact on the development and growth of Canadian businesses
• Financial viability and sustainability of the proposed project