CanExport Innovation

Insider Tip

CanExport Innovation's biggest advantage over CanExport SMEs is the 75% cost-share (vs. 50%) and zero revenue requirement — pre-revenue deep-tech startups can access this. The critical success factor is having written proof of foreign partner interest BEFORE you apply. Cold outreach letters do not qualify; you need a named person at a foreign organization confirming willingness to meet. Leverage your local Trade Commissioner in the target country to make introductions — TCS exists for exactly this purpose, and assessors value TCS engagement. IP protection costs (patent filing in partner's country) are a powerful eligible expense that many applicants overlook — if you are entering an R&D partnership, protecting your IP in that jurisdiction first is both strategically smart and fully fundable. Apply within the first hour of each quarterly intake — windows can close in under 24 hours. Focus each application on ONE technology and up to THREE foreign partners for maximum clarity.

Rejection Pitfalls 13

• No written proof of foreign partner interest (letter/email required confirming willingness to meet)
• R&D agreement already signed or R&D work already commenced with the target partner (must be a NEW partnership)
• Technology below TRL 4 (no working prototype)

Success Profile

Canadian SME or research organization with a working prototype (TRL 4+) of a technology they own or co-own, seeking to formalize R&D partnerships with specific foreign entities. Strong applicants have already identified named foreign partners (companies, universities, research institutes) who have expressed written interest in collaboration. Ideal candidates are in deeptech, cleantech, medtech, AI/ML, advanced manufacturing, or other R&D-intensive sectors where international co-development accelerates commercialization. Companies with prior successful CanExport Innovation projects score higher. Pre-revenue startups with strong IP portfolios and clear 5-year commercialization timelines are well-positioned. Academic researchers with technology transfer ambitions are also strong candidates — the program is one of few federal grants open to both for-profit and academic applicants.

Evaluation Criteria

Five assessment criteria: (1) Applicant Capacity — managerial, human, and financial resources with clear benefits to Canadian economy; (2) Past Performance — effective use of previous CanExport Innovation funding; (3) Technology Readiness and Ownership — TRL 4+, prototype, 5-year commercialization timeline, IP control; (4) Foreign Partner Appropriateness — partners possess expertise, make technical contributions, share financial risk, documented interest; (5) Partnership Methodology — logical, detailed action plan for securing R&D partnerships.

Application Steps

Required Documents 10

Eligible Expenses 10

• Economy class roundtrip or multi-city airfare for partner meetings
• Per diem for accommodation and meals during travel
• Ground transportation in target markets and single-entry visas
• Meeting room and audiovisual equipment rental
• In-person event registration fees for B2B collaborations
• Shipping costs for technology/sample demonstrations
• Foreign market certification and compliance application fees
• IP protection legal services and patent filing fees in partner jurisdictions
• Consultant/legal fees for due diligence and agreement drafting
• Translation services for partner communications

Ineligible Expenses 6

• In-kind contributions and internal staff salaries
• Expenses incurred before the application submission date
• Payment arrangements between applicant and foreign partner
• Activities after R&D partnership is formalized (signing of agreements)
• The R&D work itself (only pre-partnership activities are eligible)
• General export marketing and brand development activities

Intake Periods

Quarterly intake windows. Intakes open at noon ET and can close within 24 hours if demand is high. February 24, 2026 intake lasted only 24 hours. Next intake dates announced with limited advance notice on the TCS website. Monitor closely.

Deadline Notes

The program operates on a first-come, first-served basis within each quarterly intake. Intakes can close within hours if demand is high. The February 24, 2026 intake opened at noon ET and was only open for 24 hours. Monitor the official TCS CanExport Innovation page closely for upcoming intake dates, as they are announced with limited advance notice. Must allow minimum 60 business days between submission and first planned activity.

Open Application Portal →

Ineligible Organizations

• Accelerators and incubators
• Charities and not-for-profit organizations
• Government departments and agencies at all levels
• Crown corporations
• Sole proprietorships
• Third-party representatives, agents, and consultants
• Trading houses and export brokers
• Research centres that are wholly or majority government-funded

Compatible Programs

Clawback Risk

Medium Risk