The Canadian government, through Global Affairs Canada, provides funding for export market development through the CanExport SME program. Companies have until May 29, 2026 at 12:00 PM (ET) to apply for this funding.
CanExport offers financial support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as they explore and expand into new international markets.
Especially if you are new to the program, you may want to:
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View the recording of the Canadian Apparel Federation’s recent webinar on CanExport SME.
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Download the slides from the presentation.
Key Program Details
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Maximum Funding: Eligible SMEs may receive up to $50,000 to support their business development activities.
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Coverage: The program covers up to 50% of eligible expenses.
What Can CanExport Funds Cover?
The funding can be used for a variety of expenses, including:
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Travel to foreign markets.
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In-person participation in trade missions, trade shows, meetings, or conferences.
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Gathering market intelligence (custom research, reports, and studies).
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Applying for intellectual property protection in international markets.
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Adapting contractual agreements and applying for supplier diversity certifications in international markets.
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Seeking expert legal and business advice.
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Translating, adapting, or creating marketing materials tailored to your market(s).
New for 2026:
Approximately $31 million will be available in 2026–27 for international market activities. Of this total amount, approximately $3.1 million will support projects targeting the U.S.
Links to the Global Affairs Canada website
The program overview is available here: CanExport SMEs.
An updated Applicant’s Guide is available online
Guidance on the application process is available in the "how to apply" section.