Export Development Program

1. Funding is provided in Canadian dollars.
2. The total amount of all Canadian government funding (federal, provincial/territorial, or

municipal) must be no more than 50% of the total eligible project cost in any single fiscal year (April 1 to March 31) to a maximum of $15,000, or $25,000 for eligible priority- sector exporters entering new markets.

1. Applicants are required to pay all invoices prior to receiving a claim under the incentive.
2. The incentive is only payable against eligible project costs as outlined in the Agreement.

Eligible projects include support to:

1. Travel to a market outside Nova Scotia to visit clients, partners, suppliers and investors,

or participate in a trade mission

1. Participate in an in-person trade show or conference
2. Host a first-time visit from clients, partners, suppliers or investors to the business’s Nova

Scotia facilities

1. Hire a consultant/service provider to address challenges to selling products/services

outside Nova Scotia, or to provide services to improve competitiveness Nova Scotia’s priority sectors are listed below.

STREAM 1:

TRAVEL, INBOUND CLIENT VISITS, TRADE SHOWS, CONFERENCES AND TRADE

MISSIONS

Minimum project cost is $500 CAD

Eligible project costs (excluding PST/GST/HST/QST) include:

1. Booth/floor space fees* for a non-retail trade show (50% of eligible costs)
2. Conference registration fees* (50% of eligible costs)
3. Up to two (2) representatives of the business
4. Conference registration and booth fees for international trade shows/conferences

held in Nova Scotia are eligible; per diem costs are ineligible to claim if participants reside within 100 km of the conference • Trade missions

1. Booth/floor costs* (50% of eligible costs), per diems and airfare stipends
2. Registration fees to join missions are ineligible
3. In-market meetings
4. Eligible costs include per diems and airfare stipends
5. Meetings are to be scheduled prior to travel and directly support the applicant’s

export objectives

1. Applicants are required to provide a summary of meetings (e.g., dates,

organizations, participants, purpose) to support eligibility

1. Airfare reimbursement will follow the standardized stipend chart below:

Stipend $CAD per participant Destination (max 2 participants) Africa $1,000 Arctic $1,000 Asia (e.g., China, South Korea, India, Japan) $1,500 Australia $1,000 Canada - Arctic (NU, NT, YK) $1,000 Canada - Atlantic (NB, PE) *** Not eligible – claim per diem only Canada - Eastern (NL, QC, ON) $300 Canada - Western (MB, SK, AB, BC) $500 Caribbean $500 Central & South America $1,500 Europe $750 Middle East $1,000 USA (United States of America) and Mexico $500 The airfare stipend is only eligible to claim for round trips from Nova Scotia (some exceptions may apply). The airfare stipend includes all associated flight costs: airfare, baggage, seat selection, and change fees. For projects with multiple locations, only one (1) airfare stipend location can be claimed per project (highest value location will be selected). If two travellers participate in one project, the airfare stipend claimed must be for the same location. For example, a project that has a stop in Italy, France, and Spain and two travellers – total airfare stipend claimed = $750 x 2 = $1,500.

***Travel to PEI and NB covered by accommodations/ground transportation per diem only.

1. Travel expenses for representatives of the business who do not reside in Nova Scotia

are not eligible.

1. A per diem rate of $200 CAD ($400 CAD x 50%) per day for each approved traveller

is available to assist with the costs of accommodations, mileage, and in-market ground transportation/standard car rental (up to two (2) representatives of the business) for all days of travel to market and days within the market. Per diem calculation does not include personal travel days or travel of personal nature. For trade shows/conferences/trade missions, the eligible per diem includes one travel day before the event and the days the trade show/conference/mission was attended.

Supporting rationale for all requested per diem nights should be outlined in the Project Scope section of the application.

1. A per diem does NOT include the day you depart the approved destination or any

portion of travel within Nova Scotia.

1. Per diem expenses are capped at seven (7) days per trip.
2. Any project expenses (e.g., accommodations, flights) covered by event organizers,

suppliers, business partners, family, etc. are not eligible to be reimbursed by the Program. These expenses must be disclosed in the claim form “Additional Funding” section.

1. Incoming client/partner/supplier/investor first-time visit eligible costs (up to two visiting

individuals) include airfare stipend and per diem rates, subject to the guidelines above.

1. The business will follow and adhere to all health protocols in all jurisdictions where the

business is travelling. The business is responsible for all quarantine costs (e.g., accommodations/hotel, meals, testing, etc.). International travel should adhere to the Government of Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories by Destination.

STREAM 2:

HIRING A CONSULTANT/SERVICE PROVIDER TO ADDRESS CHALLENGES TO SELLING

PRODUCTS/SERVICES OUTSIDE NOVA SCOTIA, OR TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO

IMPROVE COMPETITIVENESS

Eligible projects include:

Project Types Description Engage a consultant to undertake a market review and identify

1. Matchmaking

business matchmaking or lead generation in export markets.

Engage a consultant to support the ability to anticipate, adapt

2. Supply Chain Resiliency

to, and recover from supply chain disruptions.

Engage a consultant to undertake a valuation of the business

3. Business Valuations

for succession planning purposes.

Development and design of promotional marketing materials,

4. Marketing Materials

including translation services and excluding printing, swag, Development publishing, and social media/LinkedIn platform maintenance.

Development or improvement of an e-commerce platform for

5. E-Commerce

markets outside Nova Scotia, including translation services.

Development of policies, business cases or implementation

6. Inclusion, Diversity, Equity

plans to support inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.

Expert advice for intellectual property or certification research

7. Intellectual

or development (does not cover fees for legal defence or other Property/Certification legal claims).

Market research, feasibility, or business case analysis for

8. Market Research

proposed or existing business activity.

Enhancements to a product or service (must be an existing,

1. Product Development fully developed exportable product, service, technology, and/or

intellectual property).

Productivity improvements, improved efficiency measures, lean capacity improvements, sustainability practices (excludes

10. Productivity Improvements

ongoing operational activities, development programs, training/education/workshops).

Updating an existing brand for international markets (logo,

11. Re-Branding

packaging, website redesign, and content creation).

1. Reduction of Carbon Footprint Reduction of carbon footprint.

Targeted market growth plans (excludes ongoing operational

13. Market Growth Plans activities, development programs, and

training/education/workshops).

Technology implementation or development (e.g., enterprise risk management, inventory control, CRM - customer

14. Technology Development

relationship management). Excludes all hardware/software costs.

Eligible project costs (excluding GST/HST/PST/QST) include:

• Consulting fees

1. Consultant transportation and accommodation costs directly related to the project