Alberta small and medium-sized enterprises, industry associations, Indigenous organizations, economic development organizations, and other non-profits promoting Alberta exports
Services
Alberta Export Expansion Program
Alberta grant reimbursing travel to formal outbound international trade events via per diem allowances plus 50% of receipted event registration fees (capped at $15,000 per organization per program year) for export-ready SMEs, industry associations, Indigenous organizations and economic development organizations. $1.5M budget for 2026-27; first-come, first-served continuous intake.
Overview
Alberta grant reimbursing travel to formal outbound international trade events via per diem allowances plus 50% of receipted event registration fees (capped at $15,000 per organization per program year) for export-ready SMEs, industry associations, Indigenous organizations and economic development organizations. $1.5M budget for 2026-27; first-come, first-served continuous intake.
Key numbers
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instrument | grant |
| Level | provincial |
| Region | Alberta |
| Administrator | Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration (Government of Alberta) |
| Max per project | $15,000 |
| Max per year | $15,000 |
| Budget | $1,500,000 |
| Total gov stacking cap | 75% |
| Intake status | Open - continuous intake until the 2026-27 budget ($1.5M) is fully requested; applications due within 2 months of the first day of event participation and within the fiscal year (Apr 1 - Mar 31) |
| Non-US bias | New-market test applies (target market must be a country or US state with <=$150K annual sales or <15% of total international sales); US states count as markets so US-target projects remain eligible |
| Processing time | Payments ~30 business days after all grant requirements are met (electronic funds transfer) |
| Employees | $1 - $499 |
| Revenue | $250,000 - $25,000,000 |
Eligibility
Be an incorporated legal entity in Alberta and in good standing with the province
Operating with a permanent physical presence in Alberta for at least one year
Annual gross sales between $250,000 and $25 million
At least one full-time equivalent employee based in Alberta; fewer than 500 full-time equivalent staff in the last fiscal year
Seeking to enter a new market (a country or US state representing $150,000 annual sales or less; if sales exceed $150,000, the market must be under 15% of the company's total international sales)
Export-ready with a trade promotion and export development plan for the new target market(s)
What it covers
Per diem allowance of $400/day for the first traveller and $200/day for the second traveller, for the duration of the formal event plus 2 travel days per application (proof of travel required)
Reimbursement of formal event registration fees up to 50% of receipted base registration fees, capped at $1,000 per organization per event (e.g., trade shows and conferences)
Limit of 2 travellers per mission per organization
Market and diversification rules
Travel must be to formal outbound international trade events (missions, trade shows, conferences)
Travel for business meetings alone, and business meeting days, are not eligible
A separate application is required per trip; applicants may submit multiple applications and apply multiple times per year
Applicants may receive up to $15,000 in total grant funding per program year (Apr 1
Mar 31)
How to apply
Read the AEEP program guidelines (open.alberta.ca)
Prepare the application in the Alberta.ca online application portal (economicdevelopmentprograms.alberta.ca), including all travellers for that event
Submit the application through the portal; use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge on a personal computer
If approved, execute and return the grant agreement within 30 days, provide banking information, then submit documentation and a post-travel report within 4 months
Stacking notes
Total government assistance (federal + provincial + municipal) is capped at 75% of eligible project costs
AEEP covers travel buckets (per diems and registration) that complement federal grants such as CanExport SMEs
Disclose all other government funding sources in the application
Notes
2026-27 budget is $1.5M; as of Aug 26, 2026 about $611,000 had been requested and intake closes when the budget is fully requested
AEEP is promoted alongside provincial JETI trade missions (export.alberta.ca/events) and TAP-Alberta as the three pillars of provincial export support
Emerging technology companies may qualify at lower revenue ($50,000+) per some third-party summaries, but official guidelines retain the $250K floor
Relevant services
The services below are grant-eligible: CanExport and EDC reimburse up to 50% for incorporated Canadian exporters.
Book a free readiness call
Grant programs can reimburse up to 50% of eligible market-entry costs. In one free call we tell you honestly whether your product fits a non-US market.
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