Trade Commissioner Service — CanExport Associations

📋 Eligible Entities - Canadian national industry associations (sectoral or commodity-based) - Canadian trade organizations (multi-member, industry-focused bodies) - Organizations with a mandate to represent and advance their industry domestically and internationally - Must be incorporated in Canada and have a demonstrated presence across multiple provinces or regions - Non-profit organizations with industry representation focus - Not eligible: Individual companies, sole proprietors, provincial associations without national scope, or organizations primarily serving a single company ### 💰 Funding Details - Grant Amount: Up to $250,000 per application - Repayability: Non-repayable grant (contribution) - Matching Requirements: Typically requires recipient or partner cost-sharing (verify with program officer for specific ratio) - Funding Period: Multi-year projects supported; typically 1–3 year terms - No loan components — this is pure grant funding with no repayment obligations ### 🛠️ Approved Expenses - Market research and intelligence gathering for international markets - Trade missions and delegations to foreign markets - International trade show participation and booth costs - Export promotion and marketing materials (digital and print) - International business development events and seminars - Feasibility studies for market entry in target countries - Development of industry export strategies and roadmaps - Networking activities with international buyers and distributors - Industry-wide capacity building for export readiness - Not eligible: Domestic activities, individual company marketing, general operating expenses unrelated to export development ### ⚠️ Conditions & Milestones - Funds must benefit the entire industry or sector, not individual member companies - Clear demonstration of broad industry support and stakeholder engagement required - Project must align with Canadian trade priorities and Government of Canada international strategy - Regular reporting and impact metrics mandatory (export growth, business partnerships created, participants engaged) - Activities must take place within defined project timeline; unused funds must be returned - Recipient responsible for documenting outcomes and ROI on international business development activities - Compliance with Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) reporting standards - Preference given to projects with measurable export outcomes and industry-wide benefit - Funds cannot substitute for activities already funded by