CanExport SMEs
$50,000
Grant
Description:
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.
Comments on Funding:
Successful applicants may receive up to $50,000 to support eligible market development activities for existing products and services in foreign countries.
May 31, 2025
Eligibility:
Applicants must be small or medium-sized enterprise:
1. established in Canada
2. for-profit
3. an incorporated legal entity, limited liability partnership (LLP), or cooperative in Canada
4. an incorporated legal entity, limited liability partnership (LLP), or cooperative in Canada
a. “active” means a corporation that is not dissolved, amalgamated with another corporation or continued into another jurisdiction. More information can be found on Corporations Canada.
5. have between 1 and 500 full-time equivalent (FTE) employ
6. have between $100,000 and $100 million in annual revenue declared in Canada during its last complete tax reporting year (or during the last 12 months for monthly and quarterly filers)
Application Steps:
Applicants must submit using the CanExport SMEs online portal
For New applicants
1. Register for an account on the online portal.
a. Note: The portal is optimized for Chrome, Edge and Firefox.
b. Fill in information under My Profile and click Update. The program will review the information submitted and will notify applicants by email within 7 business days.
2. If you receive an email stating Account Creation Verification: “Criteria Met”, the Primary Account Contact must then complete the Account Profile.
a. For more information, refer to Help tab in the portal, click on “CanExport SME”, and then the document, “Manage Portal Contacts and Roles”.
3. Once the Account Profile has been submitted, complete and submit the CanExport SMEs Application.
a. Click on My Applications tab CanExport. On this page, click New Application SME.
4. Submit your application at least 60 business days before the start date of the first proposed activity.
For Returning applicants
1. Sign in to the online portal. Returning clients should not register for a new account.
2. Update company information under My Profile. The Primary Account Contact must update the Account Profile.
For more information refer to Help tab CanExport SME and the document Manage Portal Contacts and Roles.
3. Once updated, complete the CanExport SMEs Application.
Click on My Applications tab CanExport. On this page, click New Application SME.
4. Submit your application at least 60 business days before the start date of the first proposed activity.
Documentation Needed:
Applicants must submit:
1. Articles of incorporation
2. Declared annual revenue
Other Things to Note:
CanExport SMEs is accepting applications from March 13th 2025 at 9am EST to May 31st 2025 at 5 pm EDT for projects taking place in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. To qualify, project expenses must be incurred between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026.
To better serve Canadian businesses and manage funding more efficiently, we are introducing program changes such as:
Greater focus on export diversification: Applicants may target either the United States or international markets, but not both.
Changes to eligible expenses.
New requirements: Applicants must upload articles of incorporation, as well as GST 34 return or FP-500-V for Quebec-based applicants.
About the author
Maurice
