Closed
Trade Commissioner Service — CanExport Community Investment
Funding to attract foreign direct investment
Last Update: May 28, 2026
Funding available
$ 3,000 - $ 500,000
Timeline
- Open Date : January 5, 2026
- Closing date : January 30, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
CanExport Community Investments offers non-repayable grants of up to $500,000 to help communities and local non-profit partnerships attract, retain, and expand foreign direct investment (FDI) in Canada. Funding covers up to 50% of eligible expenses for FDI-related activities that build local capacity, support job creation, foster innovation, and increase exports.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Improve governance or administrative structure
- Develop strategic partnerships
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 500,000 $
- Minimum amount : 3,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Timeline
- Open Date : January 5, 2026
- Closing date : January 30, 2026
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
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- International Activities
Target groups
- Rural / Remote communities
- Business owners / entrepreneurs
- Community leaders
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Local
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
The CanExport Community Investments program funds projects designed to enhance a community's ability to attract and manage foreign direct investment. The eligible activities are focused on improving community infrastructure and organizational capability to support foreign investments.
- Development of investment attraction strategies and marketing tools.
- Organization of investment promotion and community partnership events.
- Enhancement of infrastructure to support new business developments.
- Conducting research to identify potential markets and investors.
- Building capacity within organizations to manage and sustain foreign investments.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
Communities and non-profit partnerships that aim to improve their capacity to attract, retain, and expand foreign direct investment (FDI) are eligible to apply for the CanExport Community Investments grant. This includes local community-level non-profit organizations seeking funding support for FDI-related activities.Who is not eligible
Some types of companies are not eligible for this grant. These include:
- For-profit organizations
- Investment firms
- Businesses not directly affiliated with community improvements
Eligible expenses
The CanExport Community Investments program provides financial support to communities and non-profit organizations for eligible expenses to help them attract, retain, and expand foreign direct investment activities. Eligible expenses include but are not limited to:
- Market research and analysis
- Program delivery and project management costs
- Trade show participation fees
- Marketing materials and promotional activities
- Consulting fees related to FDI attraction
- Travel costs for investment missions and delegations
- Legal and professional fees
Eligible geographic areas
The CanExport Community Investments program does not specify particular eligible geographical areas for grant applicants within the provided information. Applications seem to be open to communities and non-profits throughout Canada without regional restrictions mentioned.
Selection criteria
The CanExport Community Investments program has evaluation and selection criteria to assess project proposals:
- Alignment with program objectives
- Demonstrated capacity to attract, retain, and expand foreign direct investment
- Clear project plan and timeline
- Expected impact on job creation, innovation, and exports
How to apply
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Preliminary Registration
- Watch the registration video to understand the registration process for the CanExport Community Investments program.
- Register your organization on the funding provider's portal to create an account and gain access to the application system.
- Step 2: Prepare Application
- Draft a comprehensive proposal detailing how you plan to attract, retain, or expand Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in your community.
- Prepare supporting documentation, including a detailed budget, project timelines, and any necessary letters of support from partners or stakeholders.
- Ensure that the proposal aligns with the funding criteria and objectives of the CanExport Community Investments program.
- Step 3: Submit Application
- Log into the funding body’s portal with your registered account to access the submission area.
- Upload all required documents, ensuring that each file is accurately named and formatted according to guidelines.
- Complete the online application form, providing all requested information and double-checking for accuracy and completeness.
- Submit the application before the deadline of September 29th, 2023.
- Step 4: Confirmation of Submission
- Receive an automated confirmation email with your application number upon successful submission.
- Retain the confirmation email and application number for your records and future reference.
Additional information
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Non-repayable grants are offered, meaning recipients do not need to return the funds.
- The funding period is aligned with the fiscal year, running from April 1 to March 31.
- Proposals for the upcoming year are only accepted during a specified application window.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Trade Commissioner Service — CanExport Community Investment Program
What is the Trade Commissioner Service — CanExport Community Investment?
CanExport Community Investments offers non-repayable grants of up to $500,000 to help communities and local non-profit partnerships attract, retain, and expand foreign direct investment (FDI) in Canada. Funding covers up to 50% of eligible expenses for FDI-related activities that build local capacity, support job creation, foster innovation, and increase exports.
How much funding can be received?
Trade Commissioner Service — CanExport Community Investment Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $500,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was January 30, 2026.
Who is eligible for the Trade Commissioner Service — CanExport Community Investment program?
To be eligible for the Trade Commissioner Service — CanExport Community Investment program, you must:
Communities seeking to improve their capacity to attract, retain and expand foreign direct investment (FDI).
Non-profit partnerships at the local community level.
What expenses are eligible under Trade Commissioner Service — CanExport Community Investment?
The CanExport Community Investments program funds projects designed to enhance a community's ability to attract and manage foreign direct investment. The eligible activities are focused on improving community infrastructure and organizational capability to support foreign investments. Development of investment attraction strategies and marketing tools.
Organization of investment promotion and community partnership events.
Enhancement of infrastructure to support new business developments.
Conducting research to identify potential markets and investors.
Building capacity within organizations to manage and sustain foreign investments.
Who can I contact for more information about the Trade Commissioner Service — CanExport Community Investment?
You can contact Global Affairs Canada (GAC).
Where is the Trade Commissioner Service — CanExport Community Investment available?
The Trade Commissioner Service — CanExport Community Investment program is available across Canada.