Canadian SMEs (for-profit, fewer than 500 FTE, incorporated, LLP, or co-operative; sole proprietorships ineligible), Canadian academic institutions, or Canadian non-government research centres
Services
CanExport Innovation
Federal grant funding up to 75% of eligible costs (max budget $50,000, max $37,500 per project) for Canadian organizations to negotiate and formalize international collaborative R&D agreements with pre-identified foreign partners; open to pre-revenue tech firms. Sept 2026 intake prioritizes defence/dual-use, then Indo-Pacific partnerships.
Overview
Federal grant funding up to 75% of eligible costs (max budget $50,000, max $37,500 per project) for Canadian organizations to negotiate and formalize international collaborative R&D agreements with pre-identified foreign partners; open to pre-revenue tech firms. Sept 2026 intake prioritizes defence/dual-use, then Indo-Pacific partnerships.
Key numbers
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instrument | grant |
| Level | federal |
| Region | Canada |
| Administrator | Trade Commissioner Service (Global Affairs Canada), delivered with NRC IRAP |
| Cost share | 75% |
| Max per project | $37,500 |
| Max per year | $100,000 |
| Project size | $0 - $50,000 |
| Total gov stacking cap | 75% |
| Deadline | Sept 2026 intake: portal opens 12:00 PM EST Sept 1, open for 24 hours; 4 intakes per fiscal year, next dates posted once confirmed |
| Intake status | Open - 4 intakes per fiscal year; Sept 2026 intake opens Sept 1 at 12:00 PM EST (24 hours), priority defence/dual-use then Indo-Pacific |
| Non-US bias | No US restriction; priority 1 defence/dual-use, priority 2 Indo-Pacific partnerships |
| Processing time | 60 business days to funding decision |
| Target markets | 3 |
| Employees | $1 - $499 |
Eligibility
Registered in Canada with an active CRA business number
Own, co-own, or have decision-making authority over the IP rights for the technology
Have a prototype at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or higher
Intend to commercially launch the technology within 5 years
No minimum revenue requirement; pre-revenue companies eligible, but must demonstrate financial capacity for the 25% applicant share (in-kind contributions not permitted)
Ineligible
accelerators, incubators, charities, third-party representatives, and government departments or Crown corporations
What it covers
Travel to meet pre-identified foreign R&D partners (max 5 days per destination, max 2 travellers, economy airfare, $400/day per diem, up to $500 room/AV rental)
International IP protection in the partner's market (filing/registration fees plus expert or legal advice)
Certification applications in foreign markets where the pre-identified partner resides
Translation and interpretation from English/French into the target market language
Shipping of technology or samples for demonstration during negotiation (max $4,000 per application)
Consultant and legal services for due diligence, drafting agreements, and R&D collaboration strategy (max $4,000 per application)
Virtual networking functions, meetings, or conferences with pre-identified foreign partners
Market and diversification rules
One technology per application; up to 3 pre-identified foreign partners
Funding covers activities up to partnership formalization; actual R&D work after signing is ineligible
Foreign partners must make technical contributions and share financial risk; service providers, distributors, customers, consultants, subsidiaries, and related entities are ineligible
Activities in countries under Canadian sanctions or risks on the Sensitive Technology List may be declined
Applications assessed first-submitted, first-assessed until program funding is allocated; demand exceeds available funding
How to apply
Read the CanExport Innovation Applicant's Guide and confirm basic eligibility
Create an account on the CanExport Innovation online portal (NRC portal)
Complete the Application Basic Eligibility section; receive confirmation by email within 7 business days
Submit the full application with required documentation (airfare screenshots, itemized quotes, partner letters of interest, IP/certification fees)
Receive a funding decision within 60 business days; expenses before the decision are at the applicant's risk
Sign and return the funding agreement within 30 calendar days to avoid forfeiting funding
Stacking notes
75% cap on total Canadian government funding (federal, provincial, territorial, municipal, and Crown corporations)
Disclose all other Canadian government funding sources in every application; failure to disclose may cause rejection or termination
Applicant contributes at least 25% in cash; in-kind contributions are not permitted
Notes
Sub-program of CanExport, delivered by the TCS (Global Affairs Canada) with the National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP)
Max $100,000 in CanExport Innovation funding within any 12-month period
Grant paid after the funding agreement is signed; no claims required; payment may take up to 30 business days
One active project at a time; final report due within 7 days of project completion
Relevant services
The services below are grant-eligible: CanExport and EDC reimburse up to 50% for incorporated Canadian exporters.
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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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