CanExport Grant - Export Marketing Subsidy for Canadian Businesses

Amount: up to $50,000 CanExport Marketing Grant

Objective of CanExport Program

CanExport Grant Funding Program provides government funding to small to medium-sized Canadian businesses for exporting their business marketing (digital, including) and reimburses 50% of selected export marketing costs to a maximum of $50,000. CanExport Grant covers such export marketing costs as trade show and trade mission costs, digital and online advertising to foreign customers, translation costs, cost of shipping samples, export market research, business planning and more. The main goal of the Program is to support those who export business in Canada.

Applications will be accepted from 12:00pm (ET) on February 4, 2026 until 12:00pm (ET) on May 29, 2026.

Eligibility Criteria: CanExport Grant

Be a for-profit company;
be an incorporated legal entity, limited liability partnership (LLP), or cooperative in Canada;
Have an active Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business identifier number;
Have at least 3 but fewer than 500 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees;
Have between $300,000 and $100 million in annual revenue declared in Canada.

Businesses may target up to 5 export markets where the applicant hasn’t exported or hasn’t substantially exported within the last 12 months (the last full tax year). Substantially exported means that during the past 12 months the applicant made less than $100,000 in annual sales in the target market(s) or the annual sales in this market represent less than 10% of its total domestic and international sales for the same period.

For target markets, the following rules apply:

projects that target the U.S. may not include any other target market
projects that target any market other than the U.S. may not include the U.S. as a target market.

All sectors except agriculture, food and beverages qualify for CanExport grant. Support for the Canadian agriculture, agri-food (including alcoholic beverages wine, spirits, beer and cider) and agri-products sector, including fish and seafood, is now provided under the AgriMarketing Program.

Eligible Cost under CanExport Grant

Applying for certification in international markets
Search Engine Optimization
Digital and online advertising to foreign audiences
Business travel
- Airfare & Ground transportation
- Per diem up to $600
- Visa fee
Participation at trade fairs, trade shows, conferences, trade missions
- Booth cost
- Trade show space/floor rental, design and construction services, etc.
- Registration fees, trade show registration, seminar fees, including room fees, audio-visual equipment rental, etc.
- Shipping and handling costs related to the participation
- Trade show space/floor rental, design and construction services, etc.;
- Registration fees, trade show registration, seminar fees, including room fees, audio-visual equipment rental, etc.;
- Shipping and handling costs related to the participation
- Translation & interpretation costs
Market research;
Adaptation of marketing tools for a new market; and
Legal fees associated with a distribution/representation agreement.

Amount of the Government Grant

CanExport SME provides funding on a cost-sharing basis with the recipient. The applicant may submit a maximum budget of $100,000; the minimum budget is set at $20,000.

The program funds up to 50% of eligible costs for $10,000 to $50,000 in funding per project. The applicant is responsible for the remaining 50% (in-kind contributions are not permitted).

Note: The amount of funding granted may differ from the initial amount requested.

Program’s Budget and Funding Limits

CanExport SMEs identifies companies by their Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number:

Companies can only have one active project at any given time. Once a project is complete, you may reapply for funding including within the same year.
Companies can receive a maximum of $99,999 in funding per government fiscal year.
A group of related companies can receive a maximum of $200,000 in funding per government fiscal year. “Related companies” includes but is not limited to parent company and subsidiaries, sister companies and affiliates.

Failure to disclose pre-existing relationships and affiliations, can lead CanExport SMEs to terminate the grant or contribution agreement. This includes relationships and affiliations between the recipient and its consultants.

For the 2026‑27 fiscal year, approximately $31 million CAD in total funding is available. Of this amount, about $3.1 million CAD is allocated to projects targeting the U.S.

Selection Criteria

CanExport SMEs is a competitive program with limited funding. Program assesses all applications against the same merit criteria and score the application relative to:

project size
complexity
funding amount requested

Funding is awarded on a competitive basis for activities that will be most effective in achieving their international business development goals. A company’s resources and capacities are taken into account. Funding decisions are final and non-negotiable. Funding amounts awarded will not necessarily equal the amount requested.

How does Fair Grant Writing help with getting applied for CanExport Program?

We provide full support of your application including the following.

Identification of Target Export Market, Export Market Research and Entry Planning (through a sister company Win Global Partners)
Writing Application Package for CanExport Program;
Writing Reports to Global Affairs Canada and National Research Council, mandatory for small to medium-sized businesses approved for CanExport Program.

Examples of Approved Projects Funded by Global Affairs Canada through CanExport Grant

1. 4Deep in-water imaging has patented holographic technology to create powerful microscopes that enhance research and discovery. With the support of CanExport, the company is marketing and promoting their submersible microscope system in India to monitor water quality in lakes, rivers, and oceans. (Source)

2. KORITE is the world’s largest producer of gem-grade ammolite. The company’s mine is currently the world’s only legally known operating source of mined ammolite. In addition to mining the gem, the company’s sales, design, and production division sells fine jewelry around the world in more than 28 countries. KORITE ‘s initial market assessment found a potential for expansion in the China market. With the support of CanExport grant, they are looking to increase market awareness in the China market, specifically through strategic partnerships initiatives and industry trade shows. They have already successfully partnered with Mahasida Ammolite Jewelry to ensure the distribution of finished KORITE jewelry in China and further development of innovative product technology resources in the China market. (Source)

Reimbursement Rules of CanExport Program

The funding approved by CanExport Program is disbursed to the applicant upon submission and approval of the claims. The claims must be submitted either after the project completion or after March 31 of every year predeceasing the project end date, whichever comes first.

Review Timeline

CanExport SMEs commit to a funding decision within 60 business days.

Financial assistance can take the form of a contribution or grant.

Deadline: