CanExport SMEs: 50% of Export Costs, Up to $50,000 per Project
Entering a new international market means paying for travel, trade events, marketing and professional advice before the sales arrive. CanExport SMEs is a federal grant that helps Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises expand into new international markets where they currently have little to no sales, by reimbursing 50% of eligible export-development costs.
The program is currently paused. The 2026-27 intake closed August 31, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET, and the next intake has not been announced. Companies request $10,000 to $50,000 per project, for a total project value of $20,000 to $100,000.
What is CanExport SMEs?
CanExport SMEs is a federal grant, available Canada-wide, for small and medium-sized enterprises expanding into a new international market where they currently have little to no sales.
It reimburses 50% of eligible export-development costs: international business travel, trade events, marketing materials, interpretation, contractual agreements and supplier certifications, business and legal advice, market research, and intellectual property protection.
About $31 million is available in 2026-27, of which about $3.1 million is reserved for U.S.-focused projects.
CanExport SMEs at a glance
| Detail | CanExport SMEs |
|---|---|
| Funding amount | $10K – $50K |
| Program type | Grant |
| Level | Federal |
| Where it applies | Canada-wide |
| Status | Paused |
| Deadline | August 31, 2026 — 2026-27 intake closed August 31, 2026 (12:00 p.m. ET). Submitted applications are under review — up to 60 business days for international markets, 90 for U.S. projects. The next intake has not been announced. |
| What it funds | Export / International Markets, Commercialization / Market Launch |
| Industries | All sectors, including Software & IT, Advanced Manufacturing, Food & Beverages, Equipment Manufacturing, Aerospace, Digital Media & Entertainment |
| Company stage | Growth, Expansion, Established |
| Payment model | Reimbursement |
| Matching funds required | Yes |
| Competition level | Moderate |
How much funding is available?
CanExport SMEs reimburses 50% of eligible costs, and your company funds the other 50% of project costs. Companies request $10,000 to $50,000 per project, for a total project value of $20,000 to $100,000.
The grant is paid as a reimbursement. Costs incurred, invoiced or paid before the application is submitted are not eligible.
- Reimbursement rate: 50% of eligible export-development costs.
- Request per project: $10,000 to $50,000.
- Total project value: $20,000 to $100,000.
- 2026-27 funding: about $31 million is available, of which about $3.1 million is reserved for U.S.-focused projects.
Who is eligible?
The company
- Your company must be a for-profit business legally established in Canada: an incorporated company, a limited liability partnership (LLP) or a cooperative.
- You need an active Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number.
- You must have 3 to 500 full-time equivalent employees (raised from 1 for 2026-27).
- You must have $300,000 to $100 million in revenue in the last complete fiscal year (raised from $100,000 for 2026-27).
The project
- The project must expand your company into a new international market where it currently has little to no sales.
- A project can have up to 5 target markets. A project targeting the U.S. cannot include any other market.
- You request $10,000 to $50,000, and the applicant funds the other 50% of project costs.
- Agriculture and agri-food projects now go to the AgriMarketing Program. AgTech, food tech and agricultural machinery remain eligible.
Costs
- Costs incurred, invoiced or paid before the application is submitted are not eligible.
- Not eligible: salaries, capital and office equipment, overhead, prototype development, virtual events and subsidiary incorporation fees.
When and how to apply
CanExport SMEs is paused and is not accepting applications. The 2026-27 intake closed August 31, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET, and the next intake has not been announced.
Applications submitted in that intake are under review, which takes up to 60 business days for international markets and 90 for U.S. projects. One rule of timing holds for any application: costs incurred, invoiced or paid before the application is submitted are not eligible.
The status of CanExport SMEs in EVAMAX Grant AI™ is currently Paused. Open the program there and choose “Remind me” to be told when it changes.
Is CanExport SMEs right for you?
CanExport SMEs suits growth, expansion and established-stage Canadian companies with 3 to 500 full-time equivalent employees and $300,000 to $100 million in revenue that are entering a market where they currently have little to no sales. Watch for the cost-share, since the applicant funds the other 50% of project costs and the grant is paid as a reimbursement, and for the rule that a project targeting the U.S. cannot include any other market. Competition is moderate. With the 2026-27 intake closed, the next intake has not been announced.
Next steps: look up CanExport SMEs in EVAMAX Grant AI™ to see its live status and other programs that fit your company, or talk to EVAMAX about building your application.
Program details are from the EVAMAX Grant AI™ record as of October 13, 2026. Programs change — confirm current terms on the official program page before you apply.