Alberta Export Expansion Program (AEEP)

Who can apply

1. Alberta’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), industry associations, Indigenous organizations, economic development organizations and other non-profit organizations
2. An incorporated legal entity in Alberta
3. Maintained a permanent establishment in Alberta for a minimum of one year
4. Attendance at an international formal trade event where proof of registration can be obtained
5. Travel for business meetings alone and for business meeting days is not eligible
6. Travel take place within the fiscal year (April 1 to March 31) for the current program intake
7. The travellers who are attending the international formal trade-related event(s) based in Alberta
8. Applications must be submitted within 2 months after the first day of international formal trade-related event participation and within the corresponding funding fiscal year (April 1 to March 31)
9. Only a grant application that is fully completed after you return from travel will be assessed for an eligibility decision by the Government of Alberta
10. Cover less than 75% of total trip expenses with government funding
11. An applicant organization has a limit of 2 travellers per mission
12. All travellers from the applicant organization must be included in the same application for AEEP funding for that event
13. A separate application must be submitted for each trip (see program guidelines)
14. For-profit applicants (small and medium-sized enterprises): Annual gross sales of $250,000 to $25 million
15. For-profit applicants (small and medium-sized enterprises): Employ fewer than 500 full-time equivalent employees
16. For-profit applicants (small and medium-sized enterprises): Seeking to enter a new market
17. For-profit applicants (small and medium-sized enterprises): (A new market is defined as a country or US state representing $150,000 annual sales or – if sales are higher than $150,000 in the last year – less than 15% of the company’s total annual sales.)
18. For-profit applicants (small and medium-sized enterprises): Developed product(s) or service(s) that can be exported
19. For-profit applicants (small and medium-sized enterprises): A plan for how to enter the target market(s) and can you include proof of the plan in the application? (Proof can include a business plan, annual report, market entry plan and/or strategy.)
20. Non-profit applicants (including Indigenous community or organization): A minimum of one full-time employee in Alberta
21. Non-profit applicants (including Indigenous community or organization): Provide specific services to Alberta small and medium-sized enterprises for trade and export activities
22. Non-profit applicants (including Indigenous community or organization): A plan for trade promotion and export development? (Proof can include a business plan, annual report, market entry plan and/or strategy.)
23. Non-profit applicants (including Indigenous community or organization): Demonstrate how your participation at the formal trade event(s) provides benefits to Alberta companies