CanExport Grant Funding Now Open
CANEXPORT GRANT FUNDING NOW OPEN — SUPPORT FOR EXPORT MARKET DEVELOPMENT
Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking to expand into new international markets can now apply for funding through the CanExport SMEs program. This federal initiative is delivered by the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) and is designed to help businesses cover part of the costs involved in exploring and developing export opportunities.
What the Program Offers
CanExport SMEs provides cost-shared funding to eligible Canadian businesses planning to enter markets where they have limited or no existing sales. Successful applicants can receive between $10,000 and $50,000 to support activities such as:
Market research and intelligence;
Participation in trade missions, exhibitions or conferences abroad;
Translation and adaptation of marketing materials for target markets;
Export-related legal and regulatory advice;
Travel to meet potential customers or partners in international markets.
The program funds up to 50 percent of eligible project costs, while applicants must cover the remaining share. Projects must be planned in advance — retroactive costs are not eligible.
Who Can Apply
To qualify, a business must:
Be a Canadian-registered, for-profit SME with a valid Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number;
Employ fewer than 500 full-time equivalent employees;
Have generated annual revenues in Canada within a defined range consistent with program requirements; and
Clearly demonstrate how the proposed activities support export expansion into new markets.
Applications must include a detailed plan outlining target markets and the export-related activities that will be funded. The program is competitive and funds are limited.
2026–27 Application Window
The 2026–27 CanExport SMEs application period runs from February 4, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) until May 29, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET. Businesses are encouraged to apply early, as applications are assessed on a rolling competitive basis while funding remains available.
Program Updates and Priorities
There are some updates for the current year, including changes to eligibility criteria and a greater focus on export diversification. Applicants may now target either the United States or other international markets for each application, but not both simultaneously. Minimum thresholds for revenue and staffing levels have also been adjusted to ensure support is directed to companies with capacity to succeed abroad.
Planning Your Application
Businesses considering export growth are advised to review the complete CanExport SMEs Applicant’s Guide and prepare supporting documentation well in advance. The program process includes demonstrating meaningful economic ties to Canada, as well as clear objectives and measurable outcomes for export activity.
For local businesses exploring export potential, CanExport represents a substantial opportunity to offset early-stage international development costs and strengthen global market presence.
