For-profit small or medium-sized enterprise with under 500 employees
Services
Manitoba Export Support Program
Provincial grant program with two streams helping Manitoba SMEs grow through international trade: the Export Development Program (EDP) reimburses up to 75% of exhibitor costs (50% for attendees) at trade shows or missions outside Manitoba, and the Incoming Buyer Program (IBP) reimburses up to 50% (max $5,000) of the cost of hosting a qualified international buyer in Manitoba. 2026-27 intake is open for activities between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027.
Overview
Provincial grant program with two streams helping Manitoba SMEs grow through international trade: the Export Development Program (EDP) reimburses up to 75% of exhibitor costs (50% for attendees) at trade shows or missions outside Manitoba, and the Incoming Buyer Program (IBP) reimburses up to 50% (max $5,000) of the cost of hosting a qualified international buyer in Manitoba. 2026-27 intake is open for activities between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2027.
Key numbers
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Instrument | grant |
| Level | provincial |
| Region | Manitoba |
| Administrator | Economic Programs and Initiatives Branch, Manitoba Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation |
| Cost share | 75% |
| Max per project | $20,000 |
| Max per year | $50,000 |
| Budget | $500,000 |
| Total gov stacking cap | 75% |
| Intake status | Open for 2026/27 (Apr 1, 2026 - Mar 31, 2027); intake year-round until program funds are fully committed |
| Non-US bias | No US exclusion (EDP covers trade shows/missions anywhere outside Manitoba; IBP is international-buyer focused) |
| Processing time | Applicants notified of approval or decline within 30 days; reimbursement via EFT within 30 days of full documentation |
| Employees | $1 - $499 |
| Revenue | $30,000 - $50,000,000 |
Eligibility
Permanent establishment in Manitoba with more than half of its workforce residing in Manitoba
Produces or manufactures an exportable product or service in Manitoba
Annual sales revenue (current or previous fiscal year) of at least $30,000 to a maximum of $50,000,000
Registered and in good standing with the Manitoba Companies Office with an active Business Number
Not in arrears for taxes owing to Manitoba and not in receivership; in full compliance with laws and regulations
EDP
must not have attended the specific tradeshow or trade activity more than twice in the last five years; must participate in a business-to-business event (direct-to-consumer events ineligible)
IBP
buyer must be an international for-profit company (distributor, agent, dealer, importer, or wholesaler), the buyer's first visit to Manitoba relating to the applicant, and buyer seeking new products/services with a senior decision maker present
Publicly traded companies, not-for-profits, associations, government employees, Crown corporations, municipalities, educational institutions, and brokers/agents/consultants are ineligible
What it covers
EDP
trade show booth space, booth furnishing rentals, registration fees and required membership fees
EDP
economy or premium-economy airfare and baggage (up to $5,000 per company per event; max two employees)
EDP
accommodations up to $3,000 per company per event ($1,500 per person; max two employees)
EDP
ground transportation (mileage at provincial rates, Ubers/taxis, rail passes, vehicle rental for event travel)
EDP
shipping of trade show display equipment and materials
EDP
translation of marketing materials for the specific event and accredited interpretation services
EDP
third-party market research for the target market or region
EDP
registration fees for trade preparedness training completed before the event
IBP
economy airfare and local accommodations for the qualified international buyer
Market and diversification rules
EDP
trade shows and missions must be outside Manitoba (Canada-wide events eligible)
IBP
must have an international buyer focus; in-province or domestic buyers are not eligible
Multiple applications allowed, each for a separate event; combined EDP + IBP funding capped at $50,000 per company per fiscal year
Priority given to projects completed by March 31
How to apply
Review program details and eligibility on the Export Support Program pages
Complete the EDP or IBP application eForm online
Email supporting documents (Business Overview and Event Objectives, T1 or T2 tax return, Notice of Assessment, last three months balance sheet and income statement) to ExportSupportProgram@gov.mb.ca within 24 hours of the eForm submission
All expenses must be paid by the applicant company; reimbursement via EFT only, no advances
Submit expense claim, receipts, invoices and proof of payment within 30 days of the event end date
Stacking notes
Total government assistance cannot exceed 75% for exhibitors and 50% for attendees (non-exhibitors) under the EDP
IBP
total level of government assistance for the activity cannot exceed 50%
If another program covers part of the costs (e.g., booth space), the EDP can still cover other eligible expenses
Notify the Economic Programs and Initiatives team of all other government funding sources
Notes
No minimum project cost for either stream
Applications accepted beginning January 1 for future-fiscal-year events
Reimbursement caps
EDP $20,000 per event; IBP $5,000 per project; combined annual cap $50,000 per company
IBP limited to 2 applications per year and 1 visit per buyer
Base 2026-27 export support programming was $500,000; topped up by an additional $500,000 under the August 2026 tariff response package
Applicants who cannot demonstrate meaningful economic ties to Manitoba may be refused even if otherwise eligible
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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