What is CanExport SMEs?
CanExport SMEs is delivered by TCS / Global Affairs Canada as a grant. Funding is typically up to $50,000 per project (was previously higher max). This page covers eligibility, intake status, and what an application actually requires.
At a glance
| Funding amount | Up to $50,000 per project (was previously higher max) |
|---|---|
| Cost share | 50% cost share required |
| Level | Federal |
| Program type | Grant |
| Delivered by | TCS / Global Affairs Canada |
| Available in | All provinces |
| Intake status | Open - 2026-27 intake closes Aug 31, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET; US-market projects no longer eligible |
| Last verified | 2026-08-25 |
Who qualifies
- Eligible industries: All except retail, franchise, real estate
- Employee count: min 3 FTE, max 250
- Eligible activities: International market development; trade shows; foreign market research; legal/translation
Watch out for
Under 3 FTE; revenue under $300,000 or over $100M; retail/franchise/real estate; agriculture/agri-food/fish/seafood (excluded 2026-27); already received CanExport in same market; targeting both US and non-US in same project
Deadlines & how to apply
CLOSING IN DAYS. The 2026-27 intake accepts applications until Aug 31, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET, then shuts until the 2027-28 cycle. MATERIAL CHANGE THIS RUN: the $3.1M sub-envelope for projects targeting the United States is FULLY ALLOCATED and CanExport SMEs is no longer accepting new applications for US-market projects. Applicants must be targeting a non-US market. Total 2026-27 envelope was roughly $31M. Request $10,000 to $50,000 per project at 50% cost share (project value $20K to $100K). Per diem $600 per traveller; vehicle costs and contractual agreement costs are eligible. Reviewed on a rolling competitive basis, so late applications into a drawn-down envelope face poor odds even before the deadline.
How NorthGrants helps with CanExport SMEs
Most business owners read about CanExport SMEs, see the funding amount, and stop. The hard part isn't finding the grant. It's building an application that actually wins.
NorthGrants builds the full application framework for you: a tailored project narrative aligned to this program's evaluation criteria, a budget structure that maps to eligible costs, and the supporting documentation checklist. You review it, refine the parts only you can write, and submit.