This program is currently between intakes. Annual intake with a fixed deadline, typically in June. The 2025-2026 intake deadline was June 25, 2025 (closed).
Updated March 2026 · Verified against Department of Canadian Heritage guidelines
✓ First-Timer Friendly Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Est. 2018
Grant Federal Between Intakes

Creative Export Canada — Export Development Stream

Department of Canadian Heritage
Maximum Funding
Up to $90,000
Between intakes — annual deadline, next expected June 2026
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Moderate
Payment
Mixed (Advance + Reimb.)
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Co-Funding
75%
Creative Export Canada — Export Development Stream provides Up to $90,000 (75% of eligible expenses). Non-repayable contribution of up to $90K (75% of eligible expenses) for Canadian creative industry companies with little to no export experience to develop their international export capacity. The program covers up to 75% of eligible costs. Between intakes — annual deadline, next expected June 2026. (As of March 2026, verified against Department of Canadian Heritage program guidelines)

Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

Free

Program Description

Non-repayable contribution of up to $90K (75% of eligible expenses) for Canadian creative industry companies with little to no export experience to develop their international export capacity. Covers trade show attendance, market research, international business development missions, and building export networks.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Incorporated under the laws of Canada, a province, or territory
  • For-profit company or not-for-profit organization in an eligible creative industry
  • Canadian-owned and controlled with annual revenues under $10 million
  • Minimum one full-time employee (at least 30 hours/week, on salary)
  • Company must have little to no export experience OR be a seasoned exporter entering a new market with little to no sales
  • Project must be funded at minimum 25% from private sources
  • Eligible creative industries: crafts, audiovisual, design, music, performing arts, publishing, visual arts, interactive digital media
Provinces
All Provinces
Industries
Film Music Publishing Arts Culture Creative Industries Digital +1 more
Business Stage
Startup Growth Established

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Moderate
Competition
Moderate
Est. Hours
25h
First-Timer
Friendly

Funding Details

Amount
Up to $90,000 (75% of eligible expenses)
Type
Grant
Level
Federal
Co-Funding
Up to 75% of eligible costs
Deadline
Between intakes — annual deadline, next expected June 2026

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Hybrid
Competition
Moderate
Effort
~25 hours
Approval
Moderate
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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How to Win

Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like

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Insider Tip

Unlike the Export-Ready Stream, this stream is designed for businesses at the beginning of their export journey. Focus the application on one specific new market (e.g., France, Germany, or the US South) with concrete activities (trade show attendance, buyer meetings). Vague multi-market plans receive lower scores.

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Success Profile

Small Canadian creative SME (under $10M revenue) with strong domestic output now ready to explore international markets for the first time. Music artists doing first European showcase tour, indie book publishers attending Frankfurt Book Fair, or game studios attending GDC.

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Evaluation Criteria

Applications assessed on: (1) Viability of the export development project, (2) Potential to expand international sales and/or develop international business networks, (3) Demonstrated ability to achieve expected results based on experience, expertise, and partners. Special consideration given to: applicants outside greater Vancouver/Toronto/Montreal, projects supporting Indigenous peoples, equity-deserving communities, environmental sustainability, and first-time CEC recipients.

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Common rejection pitfalls, what winners look like, and exactly what reviewers score on
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Application Playbook

Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses

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Application Steps

1 Review Guidelines and Confirm Eligibility Read the Application Guidelines on the Canadian Heritage website. Confirm your organization is incorporated in Canada, in an eligible creative industry, under $10M revenue, with at least 1 full-time employee, and has little to no export experience.
2 Prepare Export Development Plan Develop a focused export plan targeting one or two specific international markets. Include planned activities (trade shows, buyer meetings, market research), target countries, timeline, and expected outcomes.
3 Complete Application Package Fill out the application form with project budget showing eligible/ineligible expense breakdown. Gather supporting documents: proof of incorporation, financial statements (2 most recent years), evidence of creative output, funding confirmations for matching contribution.
4 Submit via Email Email the complete package to [email protected]. Maximum 16 MB per email. Await receipt confirmation within two weeks.
5 Assessment and Decision Canadian Heritage evaluates the application against published criteria. Decision timeline is approximately 3-5 months from the application deadline.
6 Funding Agreement and Advance If approved, sign the funding agreement. Receive an advance payment to begin project activities within the approved fiscal year (April 1 - March 31).

Required Documents 6

✓ Completed application form
✓ Export development plan outlining target markets and planned activities
✓ Financial statements (most recent 2 fiscal years)
✓ Detailed project budget (eligible/ineligible breakdown)
✓ Evidence of existing creative content or products for export
✓ Corporate ownership and control documentation

Eligible Expenses 7

  • Export planning activities: market research, distribution/logistics planning, legal and IP services, e-commerce strategy (up to $30K/year)
  • International market preparation: product adaptation, dubbing, translation (max 10% of funding), IP protection, shipping, insurance, website/e-commerce development, product photography/videography
  • Market development: trade show booths and conference fees, project-related travel (government rates), buyer delegations, structured networking, marketing materials and advertising (up to $40K/year)
  • Training and mentorship with recognized export professionals (minimum 30 hours required)
  • Production of creative content destined for export (printing, manufacturing, replication)
  • Salaries directly linked to the project
  • Administrative project costs (up to 15% of total eligible costs)

Ineligible Expenses 6

  • Expenses not directly related to the export development project
  • Domestic market activities with no international component
  • Capital expenditures for permanent assets
  • General operating expenses not linked to the project
  • Costs exceeding government travel rate guidelines
  • Expenses incurred outside the approved project period (April 1 - March 31)

Intake Periods

Annual intake with a fixed deadline, typically in June. The 2025-2026 intake deadline was June 25, 2025 (closed). The 2026-2027 intake is expected around June 2026. Projects must have expenses within the April 1 - March 31 fiscal year.

Deadline Notes

Annual intake with a fixed deadline (typically June). For 2025–2026, the deadline was June 25, 2025; the 2026–2027 intake is expected around June 2026. Budget is $4M/year for this stream.

Ineligible Organizations

  • Individuals (must be incorporated)
  • Financial support programs or funds (non-operational entities)
  • Public relations or marketing agencies
  • Subsidiaries of parent companies exceeding $10 million in annual revenue
  • Organizations that previously received three years of CEC funding within the last five years
  • Government departments and agencies
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Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

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Compatible Programs

CanExport SMEs Ontario Creates Export Fund Creative BC Export Program SODEC Export Program
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Low Risk
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How Creative Export Canada — Export Developmen... Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about Creative Export Canada — Export Developmen...

Free
Can sole proprietors apply?
No. Must be incorporated under Canadian law (province/territory) or a not-for-profit in an eligible creative industry. Sole proprietors are ineligible.
What's the realistic grant amount?
$30,000–$75,000 for most applicants targeting one specific export activity (e.g., one trade show or market research in one country).
How long does approval take?
Typically 6–8 weeks after the annual deadline (June). Applications are reviewed in batches post-deadline; no rolling intake.
Why do applications fail?
Applicant has significant existing export revenue (should use Export-Ready Stream); project is too broad (e.g., multiple markets); or matching contribution is below 25%.
Can I stack with other programs?
Yes. Compatible with CanExport SMEs, Ontario Creates, Creative BC, and SODEC. Each program covers different costs (e.g., CanExport for market research, this for trade shows).

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