The CanExport Grant is one of the most valuable Canada business grants available for companies planning to expand internationally. The program helps Canadian businesses reduce the financial risk of entering new markets by reimbursing up to 50 percent of eligible export development expenses.
Through our structured Full Service Grant Management, Impact Applications helps companies secure grants from the Canadian government and manage the entire process from application to reimbursement.
Expanding into global markets requires investment in travel, trade shows, translation, market research, legal consulting, and intellectual property protection. These costs add up quickly. The CanExport Grant helps offset those expenses so businesses can scale internationally with greater confidence.
However, the 2026 to 2027 intake introduced stricter eligibility requirements, meaning businesses must now meet higher standards to qualify for funding.
What Is the CanExport Grant
The CanExport SMEs program is a federal funding initiative delivered by the Trade Commissioner Service that helps Canadian companies expand into new international markets by sharing the cost of export development activities.
Eligible companies can receive up to 50 percent reimbursement of approved project expenses, with funding requests ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 per project.
Applications for the 2026 to 2027 intake opened February 4, 2026 and close May 29, 2026.
Because funding is competitive and limited, businesses benefit significantly from working with experienced business grant writers and a structured grant management system.
Updated 2026 Eligibility Requirements
The Canadian government raised the minimum requirements for the CanExport SMEs program in order to prioritize businesses with strong export potential.
To qualify, companies must meet the following criteria.
Company Requirements
Your business must
- Have between 3 and 500 full time employees
• Have at least $300,000 in annual Canadian revenue in the most recent tax year
• Be a for profit organization legally established in Canada
• Be incorporated, a limited liability partnership, or a cooperative
• Have an active Canada Revenue Agency business number
• Own the product or service being exported
Companies with fewer than three employees or less than $300,000 in annual revenue are not eligible under the current program rules.
Market and Project Requirements
In addition to company eligibility, the project itself must meet specific criteria.
The CanExport Grant supports expansion into new or underdeveloped foreign markets where the company currently has minimal sales.
Typically this means
- Less than $100,000 in annual sales in that market
• Less than 10 percent of total company revenue coming from that country
Applicants must also target either the United States or non US international markets in a single application. Mixing both market types in one project is no longer allowed.
Projects must have a minimum budget of $20,000, since the program reimburses 50 percent of eligible costs.
Because the funding works on a reimbursement model, businesses must pay expenses upfront and claim reimbursement later.
Eligible Expenses Under the CanExport Grant
The program funds international business development activities that directly support export growth.
Eligible expenses include:
Travel and Trade Events
Businesses may claim expenses such as
- Economy airfare for approved travel
• Ground transportation and vehicle costs
• Per diems up to $600 per traveller per day
• Trade show booth rentals and participation fees
• Shipping materials for international trade events
Travel must support business development meetings or participation in export related events.
Marketing Adaptation and Translation
Companies can receive funding for
- Translating marketing materials for foreign markets
• Adapting websites for international audiences
• Creating or adapting promotional videos
• Developing marketing materials specific to trade events
However, ongoing digital marketing campaigns and search engine optimization costs are not eligible.
Consulting and Market Research
The CanExport program also funds professional advisory services including:
Export market research
• Business to business matchmaking
• Regulatory and compliance consulting
• Legal and tax advice related to foreign markets
• Feasibility studies
Consultants must be independent and at arm’s length from the applicant company.
Intellectual Property Protection
Eligible intellectual property expenses include
Patent filings in foreign markets
• Trademark registrations
• International intellectual property legal services
• Development of global intellectual property strategies
Protecting intellectual property is a major component of successful international expansion.
Ineligible Sectors
For the 2026 program year, several industries are no longer supported by the CanExport SMEs program.
These include
- Primary agriculture
• Agri food production
• Fish and seafood industries
These sectors have been moved to a separate federal program called AgriMarketing.
Other excluded industries include
- Recreational cannabis
• Tobacco products
• Unabated fossil fuel projects
However, sectors such as agricultural technology, food technology, manufacturing, life sciences, and innovative technology remain eligible.
Why Many Companies Struggle With the CanExport Grant
Although the CanExport Grant is one of the most powerful grants from the Canadian government, the program is highly structured and competitive.
Common mistakes include
- Claiming ineligible expenses
• Submitting incomplete invoices
• Failing to demonstrate export readiness
• Choosing target markets incorrectly
• Using consultants who are not independent
The program receives thousands of applications each year and only a portion are approved.
This is why many businesses rely on experienced business grant writers and a structured Full Service Grant Management approach.
How Impact Applications Helps
At Impact Applications, our Team of grant experts specializes in securing Canada business grants and managing the entire funding lifecycle.
Our Full Service Grant Management includes
- Eligibility assessment
• Project strategy development
• Application preparation
• Budget structuring
• Expense tracking guidance
• Reimbursement claim management
We ensure every application aligns with program requirements and every expense meets the documentation standards required by federal programs.
Our goal is not simply to submit applications. We build a funding strategy that maximizes approval rates and helps businesses expand internationally with confidence.
Expand Globally With the CanExport Grant
International expansion creates enormous growth opportunities, but it also carries financial risk.
The CanExport Grant helps Canadian companies reduce that risk by reimbursing up to 50 percent of eligible export development expenses.
However, with stricter eligibility rules introduced for 2026, proper planning is more important than ever.
If your business is preparing to enter new international markets and wants to maximize its chances of securing funding, our team can help.
Book a strategy call with Impact Applications today to learn how Full Service Grant Management can help you secure the funding your business deserves.