Export Canada Grants 2026 — CanExport & EDC Export Funding Guide
Canadian businesses entering new international markets in 2026 can access CanExport SMEs grants (up to $75,000 at 50% cost-share), Trade Commissioner Service support in 160+ countries, and provincial export programs. Export development is one of the most underutilised grant categories for Canadian SMEs.
Top Export Funding Programs for Canadian Businesses
Federal grant covering 50% of international market development costs — trade shows, legal fees, market research, travel, and product adaptation.
Free market intelligence, trade contacts, partner matching, and in-market support from Canadian trade commissioners globally. Start here before spending on market entry.
Export Development Canada provides credit insurance, working capital, and financing solutions to protect and fund your export transactions.
Ontario Global Growth Fund, Alberta Export Expansion Program, and BC innovation export programs complement CanExport for higher total reimbursement.
How to Stack Export Grants
- Register with the Trade Commissioner Service first — free intelligence, contacts, and mission introductions before you spend anything
- Apply to CanExport SMEs before your first market trip — pre-approval is required; costs before approval are not eligible
- Check your provincial export program — Ontario, Alberta, BC, and Quebec all have complementary programs that can be stacked with CanExport
- Get EDC credit insurance — protects against foreign buyer non-payment and opens financing for export receivables
- Track SR&ED for product adaptation — product modifications for foreign markets sometimes qualify as R&D
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the CanExport grant for Canadian businesses?
- CanExport SMEs is a federal grant program administered by the Trade Commissioner Service that reimburses 50% of eligible export development costs up to $75,000 per year. Eligible costs include trade show attendance, market research, legal fees for market entry contracts, product adaptation, and business development travel. Applicants must be a Canadian SME with fewer than 500 employees and annual revenue under $100M.
- Who qualifies for CanExport export grants?
- CanExport SMEs is available to Canadian companies with fewer than 500 full-time employees and annual revenue between $100,000 and $100,000,000. The company must be exporting or actively developing an export market outside Canada. Priority is given to companies entering a market for the first time. Most sectors are eligible except cannabis, firearms, alcohol, and tobacco.
- What export costs does CanExport cover?
- CanExport covers 50% of eligible costs including: international trade show participation (booth fees, travel, materials), market research reports, legal fees for foreign market contracts, certification and testing for foreign markets, translation and localisation costs, and business development travel costs. Costs must be incremental (new spending for a new market activity) and incurred after application approval.
- Are there other export grants besides CanExport in Canada?
- Yes. Provincial export programs complement CanExport — Ontario has the Global Growth Fund, Alberta has the Export Expansion Program, and BC has BCIC export programs. The Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) provides free market intelligence, trade contacts, and mission support in 160+ countries. EDC (Export Development Canada) offers insurance, financing, and working capital solutions for exporters.
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