For-profit, legally established Canadian company (incorporated, LLP, or cooperative); non-profits and individuals are not eligible
Services
CanExport SMEs
Federal grant sharing 50% of eligible export-development costs ($10K-$50K per project) for Canadian SMEs expanding into new international markets; 2026-27 requires US XOR non-US market focus.
Overview
Federal grant sharing 50% of eligible export-development costs ($10K-$50K per project) for Canadian SMEs expanding into new international markets; 2026-27 requires US XOR non-US market focus.
Key numbers
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instrument | grant |
| Level | federal |
| Region | Canada |
| Administrator | Trade Commissioner Service (Global Affairs Canada) |
| Cost share | 50% |
| Min per project | $10,000 |
| Max per project | $50,000 |
| Max per year | $99,999 |
| Project size | $20,000 - $100,000 |
| Budget | $31,000,000 |
| Total gov stacking cap | 75% |
| Intake status | Closed (intake ended 2026-08-31 12:00 ET); next intake TBA |
| Non-US bias | US XOR non-US (a project may target one but not both) |
| Processing time | 60 business days non-US; 90 business days US |
| Target markets | 5 |
| Employees | $3 - $500 |
| Revenue | $300,000 - $100,000,000 |
Eligibility
3 to 500 full-time equivalent employees
$300,000 to $100,000,000 annual revenue in Canada (last fiscal year)
Active CRA business number and authority to apply
Target market must be new to the company (little or no current sales there)
Agri-food, agri-products, fish, and seafood are served by the AgriMarketing Program as of 2026-27; AgTech, post-harvest food tech, agri machinery, and life sciences remain eligible
What it covers
Travel to a foreign market to meet potential clients or partners
Attending or exhibiting at an international trade event
Custom market research or market intelligence
Intellectual property protection abroad
Contract adaptation and international supplier-diversity certifications
Legal or business advice for a target market
Translation, adaptation, or creation of marketing materials for trade events
Per diem increased to $600 per traveller; gas, parking, and tolls on personal or company vehicles now eligible
Market and diversification rules
US XOR non-US
applicants cannot target both in one project
Brazil, China, India, and the US each count as one target market (no sub-market segmentation)
Greater emphasis on defence and dual-use projects in 2026-27; title the project with Defence and it is processed within 60 business days
How to apply
Run the official readiness checklist to confirm fit
Read the 2026-27 Applicant's Guide and gather activity evidence
Create a MyTCS profile and submit via the CanExport SMEs portal
Applications are assessed on a rolling competitive basis; funding is not guaranteed
Stacking notes
CanExport sets the baseline under the 75% total-government stacking cap
Provincial programs can cover different cost buckets and the applicant's 50% share
Segregate costs per program and disclose all government sources in every application
Notes
~$31M available 2026-27; ~$3.1M reserved for US-targeting projects
Agri-food, fish, and seafood exporters are redirected to the AgriMarketing Program Market Diversification for SMEs (AAFC)
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.
Book a free readiness call