CanExport Innovation - Applicant’s guide
December 2020
Summary
A detailed guide for Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises, academic institutions and non-government research centres on how to access CanExport Innovation funding to facilitate collaborative research and development (R&D) partnerships with international partners and investors.
Table of contents
- Program overview
- How funding works
- Project scope
- Eligible organizations
- Eligible foreign partners
- Project objectives
- Activities
- Eligible expenses
- Assessment criteria
- How to apply
- After applying
- Contact us
1. Program overview
CanExport Innovation is designed to promote and enhance Canada’s international innovation efforts. The program, administered by the Global Affairs Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service, offers grants and contributions to Canadian organizations to assist them in establishing and formalizing new collaborative research and development (R&D) partnerships with foreign partners.
The objective of partnerships must be joint development, adaptation and/or validation of a Canadian technology owned by the applicant organization. The technology must be ready for commercialization within 5 years. Additionally, seeking investors to support joint R&D work could be considered an eligible objective by the program.
CanExport Innovation provides funding for activities up until the point at which partnerships are formalized. A partnership is considered formalized following the signing of all agreements necessary to secure the partnership and/or to begin the R&D work. All activities subsequent to the formalization of the R&D partnership, including the R&D work itself, are ineligible for CanExport Innovation funding.
CanExport Innovation is a sub-program of CanExport. Other sub-programs include CanExport SMEs, CanExport Associations and CanExport Community Investments.
COVID-19 and CanExport Innovation
CanExport Innovation now supports non-travel activities to help prepare for R&D opportunities in international markets. We also encourage virtual participation in meetings and conferences.
Approval of funding for trips and travel-related activities that require being physically present in a foreign country 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.
2. How our funding works
In this section
2.1 Funding mechanism
Funding is provided on a cost-sharing basis between the recipient and CanExport Innovation. The applicant may submit a maximum budget of $100,000; there is no set minimum. The program funds up to 75% of eligible costs to a maximum of $75,000 in funding per project. The applicant is responsible for the remaining 25% (in-kind contributions are not permitted).
CanExport Innovation commits to a funding decision within 40 business days.
Financial assistance can take the form of a grant or contribution. CanExport Innovation determines the most appropriate funding mechanism based on a risk assessment analysis of the applicant and the project. Requests for funding from multiple CanExport sub-programs for the same project will not be supported. Applicants may apply to only one CanExport sub-program for a specific project, related activities and expenses. It is recommended that applicants review the objectives of each sub-program to determine which most appropriately meets their objectives.
2.2 Project time frame
CanExport Innovation funding is available year-round. Applications may be submitted at any time.
If approved, activities must be completed within the same government fiscal year in which the application is approved. The Government of Canada’s fiscal year begins April 1 and ends on March 31 of the following calendar year. CanExport Innovation does not support projects that span across multiple fiscal years.
Example: A project approved in November 2020 will have a maximum end date of March 31, 2021. A project approved in January 2021 will also have a maximum end date of March 31, 2021.
2.3 Stacking limit for government funding
CanExport Innovation’s stacking limit applies when funding is accessed from different Canadian government sources for a single project.
CanExport Innovation calculates fund stacking based on the total Canadian government assistance (including federal, provincial, territorial or municipal governments, or Crown corporations) provided for any eligible line item. The total amount of funding from all government sources must not exceed 75%.
Applicants must identify all Canadian government sources of funding for each expenditure submitted as part of their CanExport Innovation application. In the event that actual total Canadian government assistance exceeds the stacking limit of 75%, CanExport Innovation funding will be adjusted in order to comply with this limit.
3. Project scope
The applicant must focus on only one technology per project application. However, a project can target multiple partners to achieve multiple R&D objectives for the same technology.
The applicant can pursue activities with foreign partners internationally and within Canada in all sectors, unless subject to Government of Canada sanctions or similar restrictions.
Applicants can pursue activities in countries for which they have received prior CanExport Innovation funding. In cases where the proposed activity is expanding on a previous initiative that received program support, it is important that the proposal demonstrate how it will build on previous outcomes, by expanding on past success or applying lessons learned.
4. Eligible organizations
The applicant is the Canadian organization applying for CanExport Innovation funding.
Eligible Canadian organizations are:
- Small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): for-profit companies with 499 or fewer full-time equivalent employees
- Academic institutions: recognized Canadian educational institutions dedicated to education and research
- Non-government research centres: research organizations that are not wholly or majority funded by the government
In this section
4.1 Eligibility criteria
Eligible organizations must meet basic eligibility by demonstrating that they:
- are registered in Canada
- have a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number*
- own or co-own intellectual property rights (IP) for the technology featured in the application and/or have appropriate decision-making authority over the IP
- have a prototype for the technology and be at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or higher, as per Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada guidelines
- intend to commercially launch the technology within 5 years
* Organizations registered on First Nations reserve lands do not require a CRA business number.
Financial Capacity
There is no minimum revenue requirement for eligible organizations; CanExport Innovation is open to pre-revenue companies. However, financial capacity is one of 5 project assessment criteria outlined in Section 9. As such, applicants must demonstrate they have sufficient private revenues to cover 25% of costs for proposed activities. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate they have sufficient funds (or a credible plan to secure funds) from private and/or public sources to finance R&D work resulting from a collaborative R&D agreement.
4.2 Ineligible organizations
- accelerators and incubators
- charities
- third-party representatives including agents, promoters, consultants, trading houses and export brokers
- government departments, agencies, crown corporations and other organizations at the federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal level
If you are unsure about the eligibility of your organization, please contact CanExport Innovation (CanExportInnovation@international.gc.ca).
5. Eligible foreign partners
In this section
5.1 Eligible partners
Proposed activities must contribute to negotiating an agreement that will result in the development, adaption or validation of the applicant’s technology.
Eligible foreign partners are defined as foreign organizations with specific expertise and/or technology with whom the applicant is seeking to negotiate an R&D agreement or an investment agreement to facilitate R&D work on the technology identified in the application. R&D agreements must stipulate that R&D work will be performed under the terms of a joint collaboration where neither party will be paying the other for services provided.
Applicants may pursue agreements with multiple foreign partners as part of the same CanExport Innovation application.
5.2 Ineligible partners
- Canadian organizations
- subsidiaries of the Canadian applicant organization
- foreign organizations wholly or in-part owned by the Canadian applicant organization
- foreign organization that shares executives, board members and/or employees with the Canadian applicant organization
- partners who do not provide technical contributions to the R&D collaboration
- partners who will act as an intermediary for introduction to other stakeholders
- consultants or consulting firms
- service providers
- distributors
- accelerators and incubators
- government trade promotion offices
- government regulatory agencies
- hosts of conferences or events
Canada has sanctions and related measures in place against a number of countries and sectors, as well as sanctions against specific individuals and entities. CanExport Innovation may decline funding for reasons of national interest. For more information, please visit Current sanctions imposed by Canada.
This is not a comprehensive list of ineligible partners. If you are unsure about the eligibility of your chosen partner or your proposed project, please contact CanExport Innovation (CanExportInnovation@international.gc.ca).
6. Project objectives
In this section
6.1 Eligible objectives
CanExport Innovation supports projects whose objective is to:
- negotiate R&D collaborations with foreign partners that will lead to the development, adaptation or validation of the applicant’s technology
- attract and identify a foreign partner with whom to pursue R&D collaborations or investments
- secure investments where the majority of funds invested by foreign partners will support R&D work on the applicant’s technology
- license or purchase the IP of a foreign partner’s technology
Technology development
R&D work that typically involves further development or enhancement of an applicant’s technology. This may include:
- integrating applicant’s technology with a foreign partner’s technology to create a combined product
- leveraging the technical expertise and/or technology of the foreign partner to co-develop additional components, which will form a piece of the applicant’s technology
- leveraging the technical expertise and/or technology of the foreign partner to enhance the capabilities of an existing technology
Technology adaptation
R&D work that involves the modification of an applicant’s existing technology to fit a new market or sector. This may include leveraging the technical expertise and/or technology of the foreign partner to modify the applicant’s technology to:
- meet market regulations or certifications
- expand the technology for applications in other industry sectors than its original sector
Technology validation
R&D work that involves the testing of an applicant’s technology by foreign partners who will typically be its first adopters. This may include:
- working with the foreign partner to conduct a pilot of the applicant’s technology
- working with the foreign partner to conduct clinical trials using the applicant’s technology
- leveraging the technical expertise, technical knowledge and/or technology of the foreign partner to test the applicant’s technology
6.2 Ineligible objectives
Project objectives that do not focus on R&D are ineligible under CanExport Innovation. This includes the pursuit of partnerships that are directly related to/for:
- sale of the applicant’s technology
- licensing of the applicant’s technology solely for sales purposes
- applicant or foreign partner being paid to provide a service and/or conduct R&D work
- manufacturing purposes
- distribution purposes
- client acquisition
- acquiring and/or establishing capital assets (ex. properties, structures, equipment, facilities, etc.)
- lobbying, domestic policy development and influence
- student exchange programs
- event sponsorship
In addition, CanExport Innovation will not support R&D objectives related to:
- Customizing a base technology to meet the specific needs of the applicant’s client. This is considered core business activities conducted for sales purposes
- Developing technologies that are at the basic research or feasibility stage
- Projects and/or technologies that may lead to significant adverse effects on human health, the environment or international human rights standards
- Conducting R&D on a technology that will be commercialized for military combat purposes (ex. development of arms, combat support or intelligence gathering)
This is not a comprehensive list. If you are unsure about the eligibility of your project objective, please contact CanExport Innovation (CanExportInnovation@international.gc.ca).
7. Activities
In this section
7.1 Eligible activities
CanExport Innovation supports activities that will assist applicants in negotiating and establishing new agreements with pre-identified foreign partner(s).
COVID-19 and CanExport Innovation
Participation in virtual meetings is encouraged. Travel and activities involving being physically present in a foreign country will not be considered unless both the Government of Canada and the destination country permit travel.
For illustrative purposes, virtual meetings can include:
- meetings with a partner to negotiate and/or formalize R&D collaboration agreements for the applicant’s technology
- meetings with foreign investors to pitch and/or negotiate investment agreements where a significant portion of funds raised will support R&D work on the applicant’s technology
- meetings to negotiate and/or formalize purchase agreements for the IP of a partner’s technology for integration with the applicant’s technology through R&D work
- participation in a trade mission led by the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) to conduct R&D-related B2B meetings with foreign partners
Note: Applicants registered for a TCS-led trade mission should contact their Trade Commissioner if they are unsure the mission qualifies for CanExport Innovation support.
CanExport Innovation also supports:
- expert legal business advice from consultants to support the applicant’s ability to pursue R&D opportunities
- development of professional promotional plans or materials for use in meetings with potential R&D partners or investors
- applying for intellectual property (IP) protection in the country where foreign partners are located
- shipping applicant’s technology for the purpose of determining feasibility/compatibility with partner’s technology prior to formalizing the partnership
When travel permits, CanExport Innovation supports:
- travel abroad or in Canada to meet a foreign partner to negotiate and/or formalize an R&D partnership agreement
- travel to meet with a foreign partner on the margins of an event or conference to negotiate and/or formalize an R&D partnership agreement.
- travel to meet with pre-identified foreign investors to pitch and/or negotiate term sheets to raise funds to support R&D work on the applicant’s technology
This is not a comprehensive list of eligible activities. If you are unsure about any of the examples listed above, please contact CanExport Innovation (CanExportInnovation@international.gc.ca).
7.2 Ineligible activities
- travel activities in a country subject to Government of Canada travel advisories
- activities completed by the date application is assessed
- activities that do not contribute to negotiating and establishing an agreement with a foreign partner
- activities related to conducting R&D work
- general attendance at a event where the applicant does not have confirmed meetings with pre-identified foreign partners
- broad activities that do not include specific timelines
- broad activities with numerous foreign partners that do not demonstrate targeted and strategic engagement
- speaking engagements
- conducting general outreach and/or marketing
- conducting core business that falls under your organization’s everyday operations in Canada
This is not a comprehensive list of ineligible activities. If you are unsure about any of the examples listed above or the eligibility of your proposed project, please contact CanExport Innovation (CanExportInnovation@international.gc.ca).
8. Eligible expenses
In this section
COVID-19 and CanExport Innovation
CanExport Innovation supports non-travel activities to help prepare for R&D opportunities in international markets. We also encourage virtual participation in meetings and conferences.
The applicant is responsible for consulting the Government of Canada travel advisories before finalizing a funding request that includes travel-dependent activities.
Approval of funding for trips and travel-related activities that require being physically present in a foreign country depends on the status of travel advisories when we assess your application.
Applicants are responsible for checking that travel restrictions are lifted in Canada and in destination countries before submitting an application. We will not provide per diem funding for any additional travel days that result from mandatory quarantine periods.
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.
8.1 Non-travel expenses
8.1.1 Registering for a secure video conferencing platform
CanExport Innovation may support registration to secure video conferencing platforms for the purpose of conducting meetings with pre-identified foreign partners.
To be eligible, the purpose of the virtual meetings must be to:
- pursue and formalizing an R&D collaboration
- negotiate an agreement that will lead to R&D work on the applicant’s technology
- pursue investments for funds to conduct R&D work on the technology identified in the application
Registration fees will cover months in which eligible meeting sessions will take place, up to a maximum of 6 months per application. The total number of months approved will take into consideration months in which activities and related meetings overlap.
Maximum eligible rate is CAD $30 per month (CAD $22.50 per month at 75% funding) for a maximum of 2 individuals directly participating in the CanExport Innovation project.
Required documentation to be submitted with your application:
- written proof (letter or email) from each foreign partner indicating their interest to conduct virtual meetings on specific dates
8.1.2 Registering for virtual events
CanExport Innovation may provide funding to support registration for 1 virtual event per application. The event must be relevant to the industry in which the applicant is operating or targeting, and must include Business-to-Business (B2B) meetings.
To be eligible, the purpose in attending the virtual event must be to pursue opportunities that may lead to developing R&D partnerships with foreign partners and/or obtaining investment funds from foreign investors - where the applicant will use a significant portion of funds raise to support R&D work on the applicant’s technology.
Required documentation to be submitted with your application:
- screen capture of registration fees
- proof that the event schedule includes B2B meetings, provided as a screen capture or a link to the event’s official website
8.1.3 Rental of audio/visual equipment
CanExport Innovation may provide funding for audio/visual equipment rental costs. The applicant must provide justification for why audio/visual rental is required as opposed to using a readily available medium such as a smart phone, laptop or webcam.
Required documentation to be submitted with your application:
- quotes for funding requests over CAD $500
8.1.4 Promotional materials
CanExport Innovation may provide funding for the development of professional promotional material that will assist in attracting potential foreign R&D partners and/or foreign investors. Funding can be used to support creating new materials, or significantly enhancing existing ones.
The applicant must outline the types of promotional materials that will be developed and provide a breakdown of associated costs. Development of promotional materials for general marketing purposes, or to generate sales is not eligible.
Eligible expenses include:
- services from a consultant to develop promotional materials
- printing costs - although distribution of electronic material is encouraged where appropriate
Required documentation to be submitted with your application:
- consultant quotes
8.1.5 Translation or interpretation services
CanExport Innovation may provide funding for translation of documents or interpretation services up to a maximum cost of CAD $2,000 per application (CAD $1,500 at 75% funding). Only translation/interpretation from English/French to the partner’s language is eligible.
Eligible expenses include:
- translation of:
- legal agreements
- applications for eligible certifications
- applications for intellectual property (IP) protection
- promotional material to be used to attract R&D partners and/or foreign investors
- interpretation services for meetings with foreign partners
Required documentation to be submitted with your application:
- For each activity where interpretation services are requested, you must provide written proof (letter or email) that foreign partners have agreed to meet on specific dates.
8.1.6 Shipping
CanExport Innovation may provide funding for return shipping up to a maximum cost of CAD $4,000 per application (CAD $3,000 at 75% funding).
Shipping costs must be related to pursuing an R&D collaboration agreement with a foreign partner. Shipping the applicant’s technology for purposes related to conducting actual R&D work or selling the applicant’s technology are ineligible. Products/prototypes shipped to the foreign partner cannot be sold and must be returned to Canada.
The shipping of promotional and marketing materials is not eligible.
Eligible expenses include:
- Courier services to deliver legal agreements.
- Return shipping of the applicant’s technology for demonstration purposes to the foreign partner. Purposes may include allowing the foreign partner to conduct a preliminary evaluation to determine compatibility of technologies or feasibility of a potential R&D collaboration. The applicant’s technology must be returned to the applicant following evaluation.
- Return shipping of sample materials to demonstrate technology proof-of-concept to foreign partner.
Required documentation to be submitted with your application:
- quote for shipping fees
- written proof (letter or email) from each partner to whom items will be shipped confirming that they are interested in receiving these items
8.1.7 Certification
To help applicants comply with foreign regulations and standards, CanExport Innovation may provide funding to cover application fees for new certifications in foreign markets where the pre-identified partners reside. Applicants must show how obtaining this certification will assist in securing the partnership.
Application fees under this category must be incurred directly through the foreign agency issuing the certification.
Required documentation to be submitted with your application:
- screen capture of the cost of the application fees for certification
- consultant/legal fee quotes if such services will be used to obtain the certification
Ineligible expenses include:
- fees related to conducting tests on the technology in order to obtain the certification
8.1.8 Intellectual property protection
CanExport Innovation may provide support to cover costs related to registering and/or applying for IP protection where the foreign partner is located. Registration and/or application fees must be incurred directly through the foreign agency issuing the certification.
Costs related to filing a trademark application are ineligible.
Eligible expenses include:
- registration and/or application fees for a patent
- registration and/or application fees to copyright programming code for software
Required documentation to be submitted with your application:
- screen capture of the cost of the application fees
- consultant/legal fee quotes if such services will be used to obtain the IP protection
8.1.9 Consultant/legal fees
CanExport Innovation may provide funding to support consultant/legal fees to assist the applicant in pursuing R&D opportunities. Requested amounts will be assessed against industry standards to determine reasonability of cost for the type of services provided. Only reasonable amounts will be deemed eligible. Requests for funding with amounts that appear high will be flagged and applicants will be asked to provide more information.
Consultants must have a specific expertise outside of what the applicant organization would be expected to have; expenses are ineligible where there is indication of an employer-employee relationship.
The printing of legal agreements may be considered an eligible expense.
Other eligible expenses under this category include expert advice for:
- new certification requirements that would allow the applicant to conduct R&D and do business in market
- navigating legal frameworks in markets to comply with legal and commercial obligations
- pursuing IP protection in market
- technical review of the applicant’s technology to identify areas of potential R&D collaboration with foreign partners
- conducting due diligence on the foreign partner and its technologies
- drafting and/or reviewing legal agreements
- conducting research to identify potential foreign R&D partners
- strategies for international R&D collaborations, including:
- market research to assess commercial viability in specific markets
- evaluation of financial requirements to conduct R&D and/or do business in specific markets
- roadmap for international expansion through R&D collaborations, etc.
8.2 Travel-dependent expenses
CanExport Innovation determines the eligibility of travel expenses based on 3 criteria:
1 - Travel duration
Reasonable travel duration is determined based on the scope and complexity of the R&D collaboration being pursued. The applicant must provide an outline with travel dates and activities to be conducted on each date. CanExport Innovation will consider providing support for a maximum of 5 days per travel destination.
2 - Number of participants
All travellers for whom funding is requested must be identified in the application. Only employees or executives of the applicant organization are eligible for funding; employees based in Canada must be legally able to work in Canada. At least one traveller must have decision-making authority over the technology. Travel costs for participants deemed essential to formalizing the R&D partnership are eligible; travel expenses of individuals CanExport Innovation considers non-essential to the formalization of the R&D partnership will not be covered.
3 - Costs
Funding is allocated per person based on reasonability of estimated costs and quotes provided. For certain expenses, estimated costs are assessed against established CanExport Innovation guidelines, as detailed below. Estimates that appear high will be flagged and may impact a project’s approval. Applicants may wish to provide additional explanations/rationales for high estimates.
Please note that CanExport Innovation reserves the right to adjust funding for eligible expenses based on its policies at the time of assessment.
8.2.1 Economy class airfare
CanExport Innovation may provide funding for economy class roundtrip airfare from Canada to travel destinations where meetings will be conducted with foreign partners.
Only the cost of return economy class airfare for the straight route is eligible. For CanExport Innovation purposes, the straight route is defined as the route between the traveller’s home location in Canada and the location of approved program activities.
For trips that include more than one meeting in destinations that require additional air travel, only the cost of economy class multi-city airfare is eligible. Additional stops are not permitted.
Example: If a traveller based in Vancouver is meeting with foreign partners located in Tokyo and Shanghai, the applicant must provide a quote for the cost of economy class airfare for Vancouver-Tokyo-Shanghai-Vancouver or Vancouver-Shanghai-Tokyo-Vancouver.
Eligible expenses include:
- return economy class airfare (round-trip or multi-city)
- cost of one luggage for travel destinations where the purchase of airfare does not cover luggage fees
Required documentation to be submitted with your application:
- quote for the airfare amounts requested
The applicant is expected to provide quotes that are reasonable, economical and take into account, where possible, advance booking. CanExport Innovation commits to a decision within 40 business days.
8.2.2 Per diem
CanExport Innovation calculates a per diem rate of CAD $400 for each approved traveller (CAD $300 at 75% funding) for accommodation and meals.
8.2.3 Single entry visas
CanExport Innovation may provide funding to support visas for markets that require visas to enter. Only single entry visas are eligible.
Required documentation to be submitted with your application:
- proof of cost for single entry visa application in destination country
8.2.4 Ground transportation
CanExport Innovation may provide funding for reasonable ground transportation costs in Canada and internationally.
If a traveller chooses to use bus, car or train to travel (straight route) to an event or meeting as an alternative to flying, the estimated expense cannot exceed what an equivalent straight route economy class airfare is expected to cost.
If a traveller uses their personal vehicle, they can estimate travel expenses based on CanExport Innovations’ kilometric rate (included with application package). The estimated cost of ground transportation cannot exceed economy airfare for the same trip.
Eligible expenses include local transportation (e.g. bus, taxi, train, car rental, etc.) for transit to and from:
- airports
- meetings
- site visits
Required documentation to be submitted with your application:
- bus or train as an alternative to flying: quote for the equivalent economy airfare (straight route) and a quote for the bus or train fare
- personal vehicle: MapQuest or Google Maps screen capture of the shortest available route
- rental car: a quote for the rate of an economy class car in the destination market
8.2.5 Renting meeting rooms
CanExport Innovation may provide funding for renting meeting rooms and required audio-visual equipment up to a maximum cost of CAD $500 per international destination (CAD $375 at 75% funding).
Required documentation to be submitted with your application:
- quote for renting meeting rooms and, if included in the cost, audio/visual equipment in the destination market
8.2.6 In-person event registration
CanExport Innovation may provide funding to support registration for one event per application. The event must be relevant to the industry in which the applicant is operating or targeting, and must be for the purpose of meeting with a pre-identified foreign partner.
Events where meetings with pre-identified foreign partners have not been confirmed are ineligible.
Required documentation to be submitted with your application:
- screen capture of registration fees
- written proof (letter or email) from each foreign partner confirming their attendance at the event and their interest to meet during the event.
8.3 Ineligible expenses
Ineligible expenses include:
- expenses incurred prior to submitting a CanExport Innovation application
- expenses related to non-specified activities, such as those marked “to be confirmed”
- expenses related to preparing a CanExport Innovation application
- capital costs and office supplies (such as computers, office equipment, office space, supplies and business cards)
- website development and web hosting fees
- expenses related to virtual booths (registration fees that include virtual booth space, setting up, promotional materials and renting equipment)
- ongoing/core activities and overhead expenses (i.e., fundamental operational activities)
- salaries and commissions
- honoraria for professional services
- Goods and Services Tax (GST), including any GST share of the Harmonized Sales Tax
- any refundable portion of taxes, duties or other items for which a refund or rebate is available
Ineligible travel-dependent expenses include:
- airfare that is business class, first class or any other classes above economy class
- airfare costs paid with bonus points from programs such as Air Miles/Aeroplan/World Points or any other barter system
- travel costs for individuals that are not essential to the formalization of the R&D partnership
- travel costs for individuals that are not executives of and/or employed by the Canadian applicant organization (ex. consultant, legal consul, foreign partner representative)
- costs related to obtaining a passport
- cell phone charges such as international roaming charges or data plans;
- costs of hospitality, entertainment, and gifts (including bar tabs and promotional articles to be given away as gifts)
- rental and/or installation of a booth for a conference or exhibition
This is not a comprehensive list of ineligible expenses. If you are unsure about any of the examples listed above or the eligibility of your proposed expenses, please contact CanExport Innovation (CanExportInnovation@International.gc.ca).
9. Assessment criteria
In this section
- Criteria 1: Applicant capacity
- Criteria 2: Past performance on CanExport Innovation projects
- Criteria 3: Technology readiness and ownership
- Criteria 4: Appropriate choice of foreign partners
- Criteria 5: Methodology used for pursuing partnership
Criteria 1: Applicant capacity
The applicant must demonstrate:
- adequate managerial capabilities to execute the proposed activities
- sufficient human resources to execute the proposed activities and/or conduct the resulting R&D work
- that it will be one of the parties performing the R&D work resulting from the partnership agreement
- sufficient financial resources from private sources to cover their share of proposed activities
- sufficient financial resources to conduct the R&D work
- clear benefit to the Canadian economy should the proposed project be successful (ex. revenue generated, jobs created, etc.)
- sufficient details to assess the organization’s capacities and for non-experts to understand its technology
Criteria 2: Past performance on CanExport Innovation projects
The applicant must:
- demonstrate effective use of previous CanExport Innovation funding
- communicate with the CanExport Innovation program team in a timely manner
Criteria 3: Technology readiness and ownership
The applicant must demonstrate that the technology:
- is at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or above, as per Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada guidelines
- will be ready for commercial launch within 5 years
- has an existing prototype
- intellectual property (IP) rights are owned or co-owned by the applicant, or that they have appropriate decision-making authority
Criteria 4: Appropriate choice of foreign partners
The applicant must:
- demonstrate that chosen foreign partners have the appropriate skills, knowledge, expertise and/or technology for meeting the R&D objectives required to commercialize the technology
- demonstrate that chosen foreign partners will make technical contributions as part of the R&D collaboration
- demonstrate that chosen foreign partners will not be paid for services related to conducting their portion of the R&D work
- provide sufficient details to assess the suitability and capabilities of foreign partners
- provide written proof (letter or email) that foreign partners are interested to meet
Criteria 5: Methodology used for pursuing partnership
The applicant must demonstrate in sufficient detail an appropriate and logical plan of action for pursuing and securing an R&D partnership with foreign partners.
10. How to apply
In this section
10.1 Working with the Trade Commissioner Service
The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) helps Canadian companies navigate the complexities of international markets and make better business decisions. The TCS is on the ground in more than 160 cities worldwide gaining market intelligence, uncovering opportunities for Canadian companies and helping reduce business costs and risks. The TCS is a free service of the Government of Canada that helps companies find qualified contacts, assess market potential, prepare for international markets, and resolve business problems.
Applicants can find the name of the trade commissioner responsible for their sectors in Canada and in international markets through Find a trade commissioner.
10.2 Submitting an application
Application package
Contact the CanExport Innovation (CanExportInnovation@International.gc.ca) team to request an up-to-date application package.
Note: We will not accept application submissions on expired forms.
Completed applications
Completed application forms and all supporting documentation must be submitted by e-mail. If you are unsure about the eligibility of your project objectives, proposed activities or proposed expenses, please send us an email prior to finalizing your application.
A complete application submission includes:
- completed Application Form - signed and dated
- completed Budget Form
- required supplementary documentation outlined in Sections 8.1 and 8.2 as applicable
- copy of the applicant organization’s Canadian registration documents
Incomplete applications will not be processed.
Concurrent projects
CanExport Innovation does not support concurrent projects, and will not assess new applications where documents for active projects are still outstanding. Before submitting a new application, applicants must first complete any active CanExport Innovation projects. This includes submitting all required documentation to close the project.
Only in instances where applicants are participating in a trade mission led by Global Affairs Canada may concurrent CanExport innovation projects be considered for funding.
The stipulation on concurrent projects does not apply for to active projects supported by other CanExport sub-programs. Organizations that have applied or have been approved for funding from other CanExport sub-programs may submit an application for a new project to CanExport Innovation. CanExport Innovation will not consider funding any project, activity and expense that has been approved or is being requested as part of another CanExport sub-program application.
10.3 Processing time
CanExport Innovation requires you to submit a completed application at least 40 business days in advance of the first proposed activity’s start date. Applicants who submit applications with activities scheduled to commence in less than 40 business days risk being refused funding for those activities.
Details on how to complete your application are indicated in the Instructions section of the Application Form.
11. After applying
In this section
- 11.1 Decision
- 11.2 Payments
- 11.3 Amendment to the funding agreement
- 11.4 Reporting requirements
- 11.5 Disclosure of change of circumstances
11.1 Decision
Following assessment of the application, a decision email will be sent to the Signing Authority identified in the Application Form. Decisions are final and non-negotiable.
Applicants who are not approved for funding may request additional information and resubmit a revised application. Activities included as part of a revised application must respect the 40 business days timeline required of all application submissions.
In the case of a successful applicant, CanExport Innovation, on behalf of Global Affairs Canada, and the recipient will sign a funding agreement that outlines approved activities and their expected costs, as well as the obligations and responsibilities of both parties.
The funding agreement comes into effect once signed by both parties.
11.2 Payments
Grant recipients
Successful applicants will be issued a payment following the full execution of the Grant Agreement. Payments issued under a Grant Agreement may take up to 45 business days after the agreement comes into effect.
Contribution recipients
Successful applicants are required to submit claim and report forms to request reimbursement for eligible expenses. Templates for the claim and report forms will be provided once the Contribution Agreement is fully executed.
Forms must be submitted to the program 30 days following the completion of each activity. The program will conduct an assessment of the claim and report forms; the recipient will be reimbursed based on the results of the assessment. Payments issued under a Contribution Agreement may take up to 30 business days once a claim has been fully assessed.
11.3 Amendment to the funding agreement
Amendments to agreements will only be considered on an extraordinary basis and if a strong rationale is provided. Please note that an expired agreement cannot be amended.
11.4 Reporting requirements
Final report
The Final Report will ask you to describe the overall results of all activities approved by CanExport Innovation.
Grant recipients
The recipient must complete and submit a Final Report no later than 30 days following the completion of the project. A template for the Final Report will be provided to the recipient with their fully executed Grant Agreement. Recipients may also request the form from the program by contacting CanExportInnovation@international.gc.ca. In the event that the terms and conditions of the agreement are not satisfied, repayment of funds may be requested.
Contribution recipients
Contribution recipients are required to submit interim reports for each activity and a final report. Interim reports must be submitted as part of the claim process, 30 days following the completion of an activity. The templates for claims and interim/final reports will be provided with the fully executed Contribution Agreement.
Periodic updates
CanExport Innovation may periodically request updates on your project. We ask that you respond to the requests in a timely manner.
11.5 Disclosure of change of circumstances
You must let us know if anything is likely to affect your project. Keep us informed about key changes to your company or its business activities, particularly if they affect your ability complete your project, carry on business and pay debts due.
You must also inform us if you become aware of a breach of terms and conditions under the funding agreement, or any changes to information that identifies your company such as:
- name
- address
- designated representatives
- bank account details
12. Contact us
Contact the CanExport Innovation (CanExportInnovation@international.gc.ca) team for more information about this program, or the application process.
