Export Development Stream — Creative Export Canada

We will determine if funding will be disbursed as a grant or contribution.

A grant is a payment issued to a recipient for a project. The conditions you agree to at the time of application will apply. At the end of your project, you may be required to submit a report and/or participate in the evaluation of results.

A contribution is a conditional payment issued for a specific purpose, as outlined in a funding agreement. The agreement is signed by the Department and your company/organization and specifies the terms and conditions to receive payment. At the end of your project, you must submit a final report.

Only project-related cash expenses are eligible; these may include:

a. Export planning activities

1. This category is limited to a maximum of $30,000 of the total requested amount per fiscal year, such as:

• development of an export plan or market entry strategy;
• international marketing plan;
• export pricing strategy;
• market research on target export markets;
• planning of distribution and logistics;
• help to find a broker or distributor, including international distribution channels;
• business services and advice;
• legal services (e.g., contract support, intellectual property);
• tariffs, certification requirements, regulations and insurance advice;
• e-business or online strategy (this may include an online international plan, sales or online security advice); and
• other export planning expenses.

b. Export training and mentorship activities

1. This category includes expenses such as:

• export training;
• networking activities;
• matchmaking services;
• international business advisory services;
• mentoring; and
• other training and mentorship expenses.

2. Applicants requesting funding for training and mentorship activities must clearly demonstrate how the project aligns with the program’s objectives.
3. Training and mentorship activities must be offered to Canadian companies/organizations operating in the creative industries.
4. Training and mentorship activities must be directed by recognized professionals in the creative industry in which training is provided (you are required to provide a copy of the diploma, biography and/or curriculum vitae for each of the principal teaching staff involved in the delivery of training and mentorship activities relating to the project).
5. A minimum of 30 hours of training must be offered to participants for export training expenses.
6. Applicants must demonstrate how the proposed training and mentorship activities respond to industry needs (for example, studies, surveying members, letter of support).

c. International market readiness activities

1. This category includes expenses such as:

• versioning expenses;
• dubbing expenses;
• translation and interpretation expenses;
• fees relating to intellectual property protection (e.g., copyright licensing, patents, trademarks, industrial design, geographical indications);
• shipping and handling expenses;
• insurance expenses;
• website development, including software and programming expenses and search engine optimization;
• product photography and videography, including product styling;
• initial e-commerce platform development; and
• other international market readiness expenses.

2. Project-related translation and interpretation expenses are limited to a maximum of 10% of the total amount of funding requested from the Export Development Stream.

d. Market development activities

1. This category is limited to a maximum of $40,000 of the total requested amount per fiscal year, and includes expenses such as:

• travel-related expenses, which must not exceed the rates permitted for travel on government business, in accordance with the National Joint Council Travel Directive. Travel-related expenses may include:
• bringing delegations of international buyers to events in CanadaMarket development activities note *; and
• bringing delegations of Canadian stakeholders to international events to develop business partnerships.
• structured activities designed to develop and maintain international business-to-business relationships (i.e., one-on-one meetings, facilitated meet-and-greets and other networking activities);
• purchase or rental of trade show or exhibition space/floor;
• venue rentals and related expenses;
• expenses related to showcases, markets and business-to-business meetings;
• conference registration or participation fees;
• marketing material (e.g., pamphlets, business cards, samples), including printing and digital marketing costs;
• advertising costs; and
• other market development expenses.

Market development activities – additional requirements

Market development activities note

Market development activities note *

Applicants requesting funding for travel-related expenses to bring delegations of international buyers to events in Canada must demonstrate a benefit to multiple Canadian creative companies/organizations.

Return to Market development activities note * referrer

1. Applicants requesting funding for travel-related expenses may apply for single or several destinations within one (1) trip and for multiple trips within one (1) application, within costing limitations.
2. Applicants whose projects demonstrate strong business partnerships for creative industries, or the potential to develop and/or expand business partnerships for creative industries, will be prioritized for market development activities.

e. Administrative costs

1. This category includes expenses such as general office supplies, mailing, and cloud storage costs; etc.
2. Administrative costs are limited to a maximum of 15% of other eligible expenses.

f. Salaries

1. Salaries directly related to the project are eligible.

If funding is approved, we may fund eligible expenses incurred as of the project start date. Please note that the project start date cannot be earlier than April 1, 2026. If you incur expenses for your project before receiving written confirmation of your funding approval, you will be doing so at your own risk.