Selling outside Canada is expensive. Market research, travel, trade shows, and local marketing all add up fast. Export market development funding helps cover those costs, but eligibility rules change by province. The Export Market Access Program (EMAP) is a common example, with provincial variations that decide who qualifies and how much you can receive.
Export funding is rarely one-size-fits-all. Most programs are delivered regionally, even when they share a common name like EMAP. That means your province determines:
In Atlantic Canada, EMAP-style funding focuses on helping small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) test or expand into international markets with short-term, project-based support.
In Prince Edward Island, EMAP provides cost-shared funding for export planning and market entry activities.
Key details:
Eligible activities typically include:
This structure is common across Atlantic provinces, but percentages, caps, and repayment terms can change by location.
While EMAP is well known in Atlantic Canada, other provinces deliver export support differently. Here’s what usually varies by province:
Your business must be physically located and operating in the province funding the program. Federal incorporation alone is not enough.
Most provinces require you to be either:
You may need proof like foreign sales leads, distributor discussions, or prior export activity.
Export market development funding usually targets SMEs. For example, Nova Scotia export support services are limited to businesses with fewer than 75 full-time employees and active revenue.
Covered costs often include:
Ongoing operating costs and completed expenses are almost always excluded.
Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter export funding programs by province and industry in seconds.
Some provinces offer advisory or research support that complements export funding.
This is not a grant, but it often supports export funding applications.
What it offers:
Who is eligible:
Using services like this can strengthen your EMAP application by showing due diligence and clear market validation.
Spending money before approval
Most export market development funding programs reject expenses incurred before your application is approved.
Applying from the wrong province
Funding is tied to where your business operates, not where your customers are.
Weak export plan
Vague goals like “increase international sales” are not enough. Programs expect target markets, activities, and timelines.
Ignoring repayable terms
Some EMAP funding is repayable. Treat it like low-cost financing, not free money.
Q: Is Export Market Access Program funding non-repayable?
No. In Prince Edward Island, EMAP funding is a repayable contribution covering up to 45% of project costs.
Q: Can startups apply for export market development funding?
Usually no. Most programs require revenue-generating businesses, though some may consider early-stage firms with strong export traction.
Q: Do I need to be exporting already to qualify?
Not always. Many provinces accept businesses that are export-ready and can show near-term plans to enter foreign markets.
Q: Are trade shows considered eligible expenses?
Yes, if the trade show directly supports export development and is part of an approved project plan.
Q: How long do export funding applications take to process?
Timelines vary by province, but approvals often take several weeks. Plan ahead and avoid last-minute applications.
GrantHub tracks active export funding programs across Canada — check which ones match your business profile.
Export market development funding can reduce the risk of selling abroad, but only if you meet your province’s rules. Start by confirming your eligibility, then build a clear, costed export plan. From there, platforms like GrantHub help you identify provincial and federal programs that fit your export goals.
See also:
Was this article helpful?
Rate it so we can improve our content.
Canada Proactive Disclosure Data
The Canadian government has funded over 400,000 businesses through 1.27 million grants and contributions. Check your eligibility in 60 seconds.