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Trade Commissioner Service — CanExport Associations - Canada
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Trade Commissioner Service — CanExport Associations

Funding for international business development by national organizations
Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
Trade Commissioner Service (TCS)
Government of Canada
Last Update: March 3, 2026
Funding available
$ 20,000 - $ 250,000
Timeline
  • Open Date : April 1, 2024
  • Closing date : March 31, 2025
Location
Canada

Overview

Get a non-repayable contribution of up to $250,000 to undertake new or expanded international business development activities, in strategic markets or sectors, for the benefit of an entire industry.

/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Develop strategic partnerships
  • Develop an online presence
  • Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
  • Maximum amount : 250,000 $
  • Minimum amount : 20,000 $
  • Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
  • Open Date : April 1, 2024
  • Closing date : March 31, 2025

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • All industries
Location
  • Canada
Legal structures
  • Non-profit
  • Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • All organization sizes
Audience
  • Indigenous Peoples
  • 2SLGBTQI+
  • Canadians
  • Women
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
  • International Activities
  • Business Associations
  • Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
  • Indigenous peoples
  • Women & girls
  • LGBTQ+ community
  • Business owners / entrepreneurs
  • Minority groups
Revenue structures
  • Mixed revenue (50%+ earned)
Scope
  • National

Next steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

This grant supports Canadian national trade organizations in their efforts to enhance international business development and export activities. Activities eligible for funding focus on strategic planning, market intelligence, marketing, and international participation.

  • Export training support to industry, including training on intellectual property protection in foreign markets.
  • Creation or updating of a strategy for international business development or market diversification.
  • Gathering market intelligence through custom research, reports, and studies.
  • Translation, adaptation, or creation of marketing tools and materials.
  • Participation 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 within the industry.
  • Organizing an incoming delegation of foreign buyers to Canada.
  • Visits to foreign markets.

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

CanExport Associations accepts proposals from Canadian national trade organizations with member companies and a national mandate including:- Canadian national industry or trade associations- Canadian national bilateral chambers of commerce and business councils- Canadian national horizontal / multi-sectoral trade organizations with a specific focused mandate or theme, such as those representing companies majority owned by under-represented groups in trade (e.g., Indigenous, women, 2SLGBTQI+)To be eligible, organizations must:- Be incorporated as a Canadian not-for-profit corporation, confirmed by articles of incorporation- Have sufficient private revenues to cover 50% of costs for proposed activities, confirmed by 2 years of financial statements of the Canadian applicant organization- Not sell products that are sold by their members.

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.

Documents and links

Trade Commissioner Service — CanExport Associations

Frequently Asked Questions about the Trade Commissioner Service — CanExport Associations Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Trade Commissioner Service — CanExport Associations. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the Trade Commissioner Service — CanExport Associations?

Get a non-repayable contribution of up to $250,000 to undertake new or expanded international business development activities, in strategic markets or sectors, for the benefit of an entire industry.

How much funding can be received?

Trade Commissioner Service — CanExport Associations Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $250,000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The application deadline for this grant program was March 31, 2025.

Who is eligible for the Trade Commissioner Service — CanExport Associations program?

To be eligible for the Trade Commissioner Service — CanExport Associations program, you must: The organization must be incorporated as a Canadian not-for-profit corporation, confirmed by articles of incorporation. The organization must have sufficient private revenues to cover 50% of costs for proposed activities, confirmed by 2 years of financial statements of your Canadian applicant organization. The organization must not sell products that are sold by its members.

What expenses are eligible under Trade Commissioner Service — CanExport Associations?

This grant supports Canadian national trade organizations in their efforts to enhance international business development and export activities. Activities eligible for funding focus on strategic planning, market intelligence, marketing, and international participation. Export training support to industry, including training on intellectual property protection in foreign markets. Creation or updating of a strategy for international business development or market diversification. Gathering market intelligence through custom research, reports, and studies. Translation, adaptation, or creation of marketing tools and materials. Participation 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 within the industry. Organizing an incoming delegation of foreign buyers to Canada. Visits to foreign markets.

Who can I contact for more information about the Trade Commissioner Service — CanExport Associations?

You can contact Global Affairs Canada (GAC).

Where is the Trade Commissioner Service — CanExport Associations available?

The Trade Commissioner Service — CanExport Associations program is available across Canada.

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