CanExport Associations
The 2021-22 CanExport Associations application period is now closed. The 2022-23 application process for projects taking place between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023, will be open from November 30, 2021 to January 11, 2022 (noon / 12:00 p.m. EST). Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
COVID-19 and CanExport Associations: CanExport Associations supports several categories of non-travel activities to help prepare for international markets. We also encourage virtual participation in international trade events and meetings. Approval of funding for travel and activities that require being physically present in a foreign country, or a foreign participant being physically present in Canada, depends on the status of travel advisories when we assess your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that travel restrictions are lifted in Canada and in destination countries before submitting an application. We encourage you to make informed decisions to minimize risk and protect your health and the health of your employees. Please refer to Government of Canada travel advisories for the most recent information.
Please also note: Only travel expenses relating to travel consistent with Canada’s official travel advisories in effect at the time of travel will be reimbursed. When seeking reimbursement, recipients may be asked to attest to this fact. These advisories can be found at www.travel.gc.ca.
Ineligible expenditures include expenses for travel expenses for travel inconsistent with Canada’s travel advisories or those of destination countries at the time of travel.
Canadian national industry associations and trade organizations may access up to $250,000 in annual funding. We will cover up to 50% of eligible costs for new or expanded international business development (IBD) activities that benefit an entire industry: organization’s members and non-members alike.
What activities do we fund?
We support the following non-travel activities:
Export training
Creating/updating strategy for international business development or market diversification
Gathering market intelligence (custom research, reports and studies)
Translating, adapting or creating marketing tools and materials
Attending virtual trade shows, networking functions, meetings or conferences
When travel resumes, we also support:
Visits to foreign markets
Organizing trade missions for SMEs in your industry
Organizing an incoming delegation of foreign buyers
In-person participation at trade shows, networking functions, meetings or conferences
Who can apply?
We accept proposals from Canadian national trade organizations with member companies and a national mandate including:
- Canadian national industry or trade associations
- Canadian national bilateral chambers of commerce and business councils
- Canadian national horizontal / multi-sectoral organizations
- Canadian national organizations representing companies majority owned by under-represented groups in trade (e.g. Indigenous, women, LGBTQ2)
To be eligible, your organization must:
- be a not-for-profit corporation
- not sell products that are sold by your members
- have sufficient private revenues to cover 50% of costs for proposed activities, confirmed by 2 years of financial statements
