Exporting Grants in Canada: Current Grants + Tips for Applying

The Translation component of Arts Abroad funds the translation of Canadian literary works or dramatic works for international presentation or publication.

To support the Canadian agriculture and food industry as tariffs are implemented, FCC is providing $1 billion in new lending to help alleviate financial challenges.

The Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) is an innovative 4-session initiative, designed to accelerate the strategic development of your business and to better prepare you for an expansion into international markets. With TAP, you’ll get the tools, connections and knowledge you need to take your business into new markets. Our team understands the challenges you’re facing and is here to support and prepare you.

The Large Enterprise Tariff Loan (LETL) facility is a new financing facility announced by the Government of Canada on March 21, 2025. Managed by the Canada Development Investment Corporation (CDEV) through its subsidiary, Canada Enterprise Emergency Funding Corporation (CEEFC), it provides financing support for large Canadian enterprises affected by actual and potential new tariffs and countermeasures and which face challenges accessing traditional sources of market financing.

On March 21, 2025, the Government of Canada announced actions to support workers and businesses in response to tariffs.

To support businesses, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will:

a. Defer GST/HST remittances and corporate income tax payments from April 2 to June 30, 2025
b. Waive interest on GST/HST and T2 instalment and arrears payments that are required to be paid between April 2 and June 30, 2025
c. Provide interest relief on existing GST/HST and T2 balances between April 2 and June 30, 2025
You do not need to provide proof of hardship from or impact of tariffs. The CRA will automatically grant relief on your T2 and GST/HST accounts during the relief period.

Note: Interest will resume starting July 1, 2025.

A financing program has been developed to provide working capital financing to assist Prince Edward Island businesses impacted by the new export tariffs implemented by the United States of America (the “Tariffs”), ensuring they can maintain operations, preserve jobs, and invest in alternative supply chain strategies. This new loan program will assist qualifying companies to maintain normal business operations during these unprecedented times.

Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership’s Sustainability Promotion Program (SPP) is a temporary program designed to promote the innovative products, technologies and services of Saskatchewan exporters in domestic and international markets. SPP funding will provide travel assistance to lower the costs and risks of attendance and promotion at sustainability-focused trade shows. Activities or events must have a clearly stated focus or requirement for sustainability as part of the program and a commercial program.

The Strategic Initiatives Fund – Export Component aims to assist arts organizations and cultural businesses or entrepreneurs who wish to enhance their exposure outside New Brunswick, undertake artistic exploration or exchanges with international partners, and nurture new and existing art markets in a global context.

Strategic assistance to help tariff impacted businesses improve productivity, become more competitive, increase exports, and grow on a national and international scale. Businesses can receive support for costs associated with:
– Professional services for businesses entering new export markets (i.e. market research, regulatory guidance, trade compliance consulting).
– Market adaptation strategies, diversification support, and assistance in developing new supply chain solutions.
– Contingency planning related to trade and supply chain disruptions.

This program provides financial support to Quebec music and variety companies to enable them enter, develop or consolidate their markets outside Quebec, export and promote cultural content.
There are 5 program components for music and variety companies:
1. Strategic development of companies abroad;
2. Projects:
a) Support for business opportunities and promotion abroad;
b) Support for tours of music and variety shows abroad.
3. Collective presence at markets and fairs, and other export activities;
4. International relationships;
5. Strategic initiatives.

This program provides financial support to Quebec book publishing companies that carry out commercial activities outside Quebec to develop or consolidate their markets for books by Quebec authors.
There are 5 program components for books publishing companies:
1. Strategic development of companies abroad;
2. Projects:
a) Support for business opportunities and promotion abroad;
b) Support for the translation of Quebec works;
3. Collective presence at markets and fairs, and other export activities;
4. International relationships;
5. Strategic initiatives.

This program provides financial support to Quebec businesses that produce and distribute cinematographic, television or interactive works outside of Quebec. Support aims to enable these companies enter, develop or consolidate their markets outside Quebec, export and promote cultural content.
There are 5 program components:
1. Strategic development of companies abroad;
2. Projects:
a) Support for business opportunities and promotion abroad;
b) Festivals and awards;
c) Support for the promotion of Quebec cinema abroad.
3. Collective presence at markets and fairs, and other export activities;
4. International relationships;
5. Strategic initiatives.

This program provides financial support to Quebec craft companies to enter, develop or consolidate their markets outside Quebec, to increase their visibility on the international stage, and to export and promote Quebec works.
There are 5 program components for Quebec crafts businesses:
1. Strategic development of companies abroad;
2. Projects:
a) Support for business opportunities and promotion abroad;
b) Support for export – art market.
3. Collective presence at markets and fairs, and other export activities;
4. International relationships;
5. Strategic initiatives.

The Market Access Food Safety Program assists companies to overcome a specific food safety requirement or obstacle that is preventing them from entering a new market, or in keeping markets open when requirements change.
Specifically, this program will support a limited number of companies with: obtaining Global Food Safety Initiative (GSFI) certification which will in turn open more export markets, and meeting the food safety requirements of new markets to support market entry or market expansion.

The Scale-up Hub Houston program is designed to help Atlantic Canada-based energy tech and clean tech companies build an international presence and grow their export sales. The Program helps these high growth companies scale through targeted access to strategic markets in the Houston region that have a growing focus on energy tech, sustainable operations, environmental stewardship, and new and renewable forms of energy.

Invest Nova Scotia, in partnership with Bounce Health and the New England Consulate, is launching a revised Scale up Hub Cambridge program with a focus on Health Tech.

The Scale-up Hub Cambridge program is designed to help Atlantic Canada-based medical tech and digital health companies build an international presence and grow their export sales in the Boston market.

Scale-up Hub Atlanta helps high-growth innovative information technology companies based in Atlantic Canada build an international presence and grow their export sales capacity in the Atlanta, Georgia region.

The Representation and Promotion component of Arts Abroad provides grants for registered or incorporated Canadian arts organizations to represent Canadian artists and develop their presence internationally, and establish a place for Canadian arts practice in the global arts market. Grants are also available to foreign arts organizations that invite Canadian artists to present artistic works and to Canadian arts organizations that bring international buyers to Canada.

The Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness (AMIC) Stream will provide financial support to advanced manufacturing companies with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises across Ontario. It will provide investments in:
1. Capital equipment
2. Technology adoption
3. Skills development

The fund supports projects that:
1. Create jobs and build talent
2. Attract and encourage private sector investment
3. Help companies to adopt technologies that improve their competitiveness
4. Lead to business growth and broad positive economic impacts
5. Encourage innovation, collaboration, and cluster development

The Economic Development Project Support Program – Projects of organizations for the promotion of foreign trade or prospecting for foreign investments (PAPDE, section 3) aims to support projects of economic development organizations by raising awareness among companies regarding exports and diversification in foreign markets.

If your business exports to the U.S. or is impacted by U.S. tariffs and the uncertainty surrounding them, BDC can help. Our pivot to grow loan can help boost your cash flow while your business adapts to a new trading landscape.

Explore export opportunities beyond the Maritimes
Our tailored support allows you to efficiently enter, grow, and diversify your export presence without feeling overwhelmed by the complexities of the market.

The threat of 25% tariffs on Canadian products posed by the Trump administration is creating a climate of great uncertainty for Quebec exporting SMEs. In this context, Commerce International Québec (CIQuébec), the network of regional export promotion organizations (ORPEX) from the 17 administrative regions, is proud to launch “Operation Prospérité Québec,” an initiative that aims to offer concrete strategic solutions to support companies wishing to diversify their markets, both in Canada and internationally, to cope with this period of turbulence.

In addition to pooling solutions and initiatives from exporters and partners across Quebec, Operation Prospérité Québec aims to be a resource to help SMEs navigate this challenging environment. The following information page was launched today and directs businesses to experienced local resources who can help them find short-, medium-, and long-term solutions to address potential tariffs. The page also offers advice and details on the support available from ORPEXs.

The Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) provides financial support to help businesses near-term investments so they can serve more interprovincial customers, develop new markets and re-shore critical supply chains in the face of U.S. tariffs.

Projects must address the impacts of U.S. trade disruptions and align with Ontario’s key economic priorities, including:

Trade diversity:
– Diversifying sales portfolios: Expanding market reach to new markets, with a focus on interprovincial trade.
Trade security:
– Enhancing competitiveness: Increasing manufacturing capacity and capabilities and increasing profitability through investments in advanced technology and innovative processes.
– Contributing to regional and sectoral ecosystems: Strengthening Ontario’s supply chains through reshoring and efforts to procure more equipment and supplies from Ontario and Canada.
– Creating and or retaining jobs

The NRC IRAP Financial support for technology innovation provides funding for small or medium‑sized Canadian businesses to support research and development projects.
Through a broad range of international activities, the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP) also provides direct support to small and medium-sized businesses with international interests. The international programs connect companies with the funding, advisory, export, and innovation services they need to access new markets and global value chains.

Promote the implementation by large companies of projects aimed at their internationalization.

Encourage companies to carry out projects to market products and services outside Quebec and promote the development of external markets for SMEs.

Promote the integration of businesses into strategic supply chains in Quebec and increase the capacity of businesses to participate in calls for tenders from major public procurement bodies in Quebec.

The Market Entry Development Program (MEDP) establishes a virtual presence for Atlantic Canadian companies in Europe or Asia, connecting them with influencers and decision-makers to start building a sales pipeline, without large-scale investment.

The MEDP will assess opportunities and develop company-specific approaches based on the expertise and connections of in-market trade consultants. The program focusses on increasing sales in countries where trade agreements with Canada already exist.

The purpose of the Market Access Fund is to support Manitoba artists and music industry professionals in growing their business activities in export markets through showcases at music industry conferences and showcase festivals, targeted and confirmed business meetings, and collaborative songwriting trips.

The Market Development program is designed to advance the agriculture, agri-food and agri-product sector’s innovation and business capacity to maintain existing markets and capture emerging market opportunities. The program will provide financial assistance to eligible recipients for market development activities that enhance the export capacity of individual businesses and improve overall domestic and international access for the sector.

The Trade Accelerator Program will be delivered virtually with 7 half-day sessions, concluding with two days of virtual one-on-one mentoring sessions. Participants will receive access to top industry experts, coaching to build a personalized export strategy, and a wide range of resources, tools, and training to prepare them to successfully expand into international markets.

Whether you are curious about export or you have begun to do business internationally, our Export Consultant can provide assistance. By breaking exporting into steps, we simplify and clarify the process of taking your product or service to the global stage. We provide services at each step in the process, to guide you along the export continuum from curiosity to action.

The Government of Quebec offers financial support to Quebec organizations for the implementation of international cooperation and solidarity projects. This support is offered in particular according to the priorities of its international action set out in the International Vision of Quebec .

The Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) is an innovative 4 week virtual and in-person initiative, designed to accelerate the strategic development of your business and to better prepare you for an expansion into international markets. The TAP program will connect your business with top industry experts, provide you with the necessary coaching needed to build a personalized export strategy, and equip you with the tools and resources to find success as you grow your business. Each cohort will have access to an e-learning platform that will facilitate networking with other participants, peer learning opportunities, inventory of learning materials, access to resources, and engagement with other TAP graduates.

The FRONTIERE Program targets Quebec exporting companies in the manufacturing or primary sectors, whose turnover is significantly affected by the increase in American customs tariffs.

FinDev Canada offers financing and equity investments to Canadian companies operating in developing countries that demonstrate sustainable social and economic benefits for local communities, with a focus on job creation, women’s economic empowerment and climate change mitigation.

The Export-Ready Stream (ERS) of the Creative Export Canada (CEC) program offers funding through contributions (not loans) for export-ready projects that generate export revenues and help Canadian creative industries reach more people around the world.

Ultimately, the program aims to increase the export profitability for Canada’s creative industries.

The Export Trade Assistance provides a grant to active exporters and export ready companies on Prince Edward Island. Support may be available for Innovation PEI’s Global Trade coordinated trade activities, including virtual trade initiatives, focused on international and domestic exporting; and bringing buyers and business partners to Prince Edward Island to strengthen business relationships or close sales.

Export Development program provides reimbursement to eligible Manitoba companies participating in a tradeshow or mission outside the province. This will assist companies to enter new markets, and provide opportunities for education, market assessments, developing relationships, contacts and sales.

Export Navigator is a program that helps B.C. businesses diversify and grow by guiding them through the export process. Participating businesses are paired with community-based advisors who provide free support and ongoing guidance. We offer specialized services for businesses owned by Indigenous Peoples.

The Export Enhancement and Diversification Fund helps Prince Edward Island exporters and export-ready businesses with marketing and trade costs to execute export plans and activities to explore new global export opportunities to diversify and enhance their business.

To support our Island businesses that may face significant challenges resulting from the implementation of tariffs by the USA, Innovation PEI is providing enhanced support for these activities from March 4, 2025, to March 31, 2026.

The Export Development Stream (EDS) of the Creative Export Canada (CEC) program offers funding in the form of grants and contributions for:

new and early-stage exporters to build capacity and expand into international markets;
seasoned exporters to expand into new international markets and build business networks.

The Export Development Program supports businesses looking to increase their sales outside of Nova Scotia, improve their competitiveness and positively impact the Nova Scotia economy.
EDP offers two streams to support the applicant’s business growth:
1. Travel and Virtual Trade Missions stream;
2. Hire a Consultant or Service Provider stream.

The Export Assistance Program helps finance the international distribution of Canadian feature films, including the promotional campaign for theatrical release.

Increase the presence of Quebec companies in global supply chains by supporting them in their more complex internationalization strategies

Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership’s ESG Strategy Support Program is a temporary funding program available to assist STEP members in developing ESG initiatives to support their export market development. This program may support the costs of engaging services of an ESG consultant to carry out initiatives such as:

The EDC Trade Impact Program will facilitate an additional $5 billion over two years in support for eligible companies across a range of products to help you navigate economic challenges.

The Trade Expansion Lending Program (TELP) is a guarantee that helps you access more working capital from your financial institution. EDC shares the risk with your lender by guaranteeing part of your loan or line of credit, allowing them to offer the credit conditions you need to grow.

Structured and Project Finance is designed specifically for limited recourse financing of long-term, capital intensive projects.

EDC Investments is an evergreen investment program with more than $3 billion in capital to help Canadian businesses reach their potential.

Export Development Canada (EDC) can match investments of $10 million or more with our expedited co-investment program.
With the goal of accelerating the growth of Canadian businesses, EDC leverages the due diligence of your venture capital or private equity investor(s) to help you access more capital faster, and “matches” new investments on their terms and conditions

Export Development Canada (EDC) has committed $200 million to invest in companies founded or led by diverse Canadians
For Canadian exporting businesses owned and led by people identifying as women, Indigenous, Black and other dimensions of diversity, one of the main barriers to growth is lack of equitable access to capital. This program helps address that challenge and create more opportunities for growth.

EDC’s Foreign Exchange Facility Guarantee (FXG) can cover your collateral requirements on foreign exchange (FX) contracts, helping you manage fluctuating currency rates without tying up your cash.

The Export Guarantee Program (EGP) provides guarantees of up to US$25 million to your financial institution so they can extend your access to working capital. The Export Guarantee Program is best suited for complex export finance structures, including multiple operating lines, foreign assets or acquisitions, cash flow loans or multiple borrowers.

EDC can provide financing to Canadian exporters to help support their global expansion plans, allowing them to increase their capacity for trade and capitalize their strategic international growth plans. We work to fill the market gaps left by traditional financing lenders.

We provide patient, impactful, non-dilutive financial solutions for Canadian companies, their affiliate, or subsidiary, to scale operations in foreign jurisdictions.
We work on a non-competitive basis, collaborating with you and your lender.
Various financing structures are available, including syndications, clubs, bilateral term loans and guarantees.
Pricing will be market based, or—if appropriate—follow Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) consensus arrangement terms, and commensurate with risk.

Export Development Canada (EDC) can provide financing to international buyers to purchase Canadian goods and services, through direct loans, or in collaboration with approved financial institutions.

Account Performance Security Guarantee (APSG) is the only solution in Canada that gives your financial institution a 100% guarantee for standby letters of credit. This frees up your cash or credit line to help grow your business.

The Drawback Program can help Canadian companies compete in export markets by removing the domestic duty impact from their commercial goods. The program grants a drawback (refund) of duties that were paid on imported goods if:

– the goods are eventually exported in the same condition, or
– the goods are consumed or expended through a manufacturing process and eventually exported
Additionally, Canadian companies may have commercial goods that are eligible for drawbacks under the Obsolete or Surplus Goods Program. The purpose of this program is to help Canadian companies compete internationally by reducing the export costs on valueless goods that will not enter the domestic market.

The Duties Relief Program from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) allows qualified companies to import commercial goods without paying duties, as long as those goods are eventually exported. As part of the program, companies can manufacture or use the commercial goods in a limited manner before export.

The Competitiveness Consulting Rebate program provides a rebate to small and medium sized businesses in eligible industries for customized consulting services.A rebate of up to 50% to a yearly maximum of $30,000 can be recovered for the cost of external business consulting projects. Projects must focus on increased resiliency, productivity, revenues, profitability and/or job creation.

Enhance the long-term sustainability of export-intensive companies by addressing competitiveness gaps, stabilizing operations and employment, and stimulating investment and growth. The financial assistance is intended to help limit eroding competitiveness driven by external cost controls, and support higher value strategic investments into productivity leading to longer-term sustainability of the company.

CCC empower Canadian exporters by providing unparalleled access to foreign government buyers, opening doors for international business expansion. Our experience and expertise will help you navigate the complexities of foreign government procurement markets with more confidence, less risk and stronger competitive differentiation.

We offer support for a range of sectors, with a strong focus on solutions for the U.S. Department of Defence (U.S. DoD) and foreign governments looking to procure solutions in aerospace, defence, construction and infrastructure, clean technologies, and Information and communications technology (ICT).

The CanExport SMEs program of Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service is designed to encourage small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to export Canadian goods and services to new international markets.

By sharing the costs of certain international business development activities and thereby reducing risk associated with entering new markets, the program enhances the export diversification efforts of Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises. By helping businesses to increase and diversify their exports, the program contributes to the expansion and growth in Canada of those businesses. The program supports Canadian companies that have meaningful economic ties to Canada, the potential to contribute significantly to Canada’s economy, and the capacity and commitment to expand globally.

Innovators from Canadian organizations may access up to $75,000 in funding to assist with research and development (R&D) for a single technology. We cover up to 75% of costs to pursue and sign collaborative R&D agreements with international partners.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can apply for funding to cover up to 50% of costs for participating in certain initiatives organized by Global Affairs Canada’s (GAC) Trade Commissioner Service (TCS).

Canada tariff remission process provides eligible businesses exceptional relief from the tariffs imposed as part of Canada’s response. The Government of Canada is outlining a framework and process for how it will consider remission requests for the tariffs on products from the United States (U.S.) that apply beginning on March 4, 2025. Under specific circumstances, remission allows for relief from the payment of tariffs, or the refund of tariffs already paid.

Should the government decide to impose additional tariffs on other goods, the remission process would also be available for those goods, with further details provided at that time

Canada Brand helps global consumers recognize Canadian food and beverage products and showcases the diverse range of products from our varied landscape from coast to coast to coast.

The Business Investment Program provides term loans and equity investments to Newfoundland and Labrador SMEs in strategic growth sectors as identified by Industry, Energy and Technology (IET). The fund is also available to businesses which have export potential and require assistance to enter or expand in external markets.
Funds are provided to complement funding from conventional sources, where a need has been demonstrated, and are also intended to increase the capital base of businesses allowing them to leverage new private-sector investments.

We invest equity capital in Canadian mid-market growth businesses as a minority investor. In partnership with management teams and stakeholders, we work to accelerate growth and to create the next generation of national and global champions.

Since inception in 2017, we have partnered with dozens of growth-oriented Canadian enterprises and today manage several capital pools totaling approximately $900 million. We are currently investing from Growth Equity Partners Fund III, a $300 million capital pool launched in 2024.

The BC Agriculture and Food Export Program is funded under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership – a five-year (2023 to 2028) investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen and grow the agriculture and food sector. The program aims to increase sales, reduce market risk, and enhance long-term sustainability for B.C.’s agriculture, food and beverage exporters by providing cost-shared funding to undertake market development activities outside of B.C. that enable sector businesses and associations to maintain, expand and/or diversify export markets.

Qualifying businesses can get tariff exemptions or reductions by meeting the rules of origin and completing a certificate of origin under some trade agreements.

The Alberta Export Expansion Program offers funding to help export-ready companies and non-profit organizations enhance access to international markets and attract global buyers. The Alberta Export Expansion Program (AEEP) supports Alberta’s small- and medium-sized enterprises, industry associations, Indigenous organizations, economic development organizations that promote Alberta exports through international travel to formal outbound trade events.

The Agritech Concierge Program supports agritech companies to grow and scale their businesses, building on the success of British Columbia.’s Agritech Grant Program and the recommendations of the 2020 Food Security Task Force Report.