Updated July 2026 · Verified against Invest Nova Scotia guidelines
✓ First-Timer Friendly Reimbursement
Grant Provincial Active

Invest Nova Scotia — Export Development Program

Invest Nova Scotia
Maximum Funding
Standard: up to $15,000 per fiscal year (50% reimbursement);...
Open — applications accepted for projects July 1, 2026–March 31, 2027; deadli...
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Difficulty
Easy
Payment
Reimbursement
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Co-Funding
50%
Invest Nova Scotia — Export Development Program provides up to Standard: up to $15,000 per fiscal year (50% reimbursement); priority-sector companies ($100,000+ revenue entering new export markets): up to $25,000. Reimburses NS businesses up to 50% of export development costs, max $15,000/year. The program covers up to 50% of eligible costs. Open — applications accepted for projects July 1, 2026–March 31, 2027; deadline March 10, 2027 (subject to budget availability).
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Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

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Program Description

Reimburses NS businesses up to 50% of export development costs, max $15,000/year. Stream 1: trade shows, missions, conferences. Stream 2: consultants for market research, branding. Non-competitive, first-come first-served.

Eligibility Requirements

  • NS registered business in good standing
  • Permanent establishment and majority workforce in NS
  • Fully developed exportable product, service, or technology
  • Written business plan with export strategy
  • One application per business per fiscal year
Provinces
Nova Scotia
Industries
All
Business Stage
Growth Established Expansion

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Easy
Competition
Low
First-Timer
Friendly

Funding Details

Amount
Standard: up to $15,000 per fiscal year (50% reimbursement); priority-sector companies ($100,000+ revenue entering new export markets): up to $25,000
Type
Grant
Level
Provincial
Co-Funding
Up to 50% of eligible costs
Deadline
Open — applications accepted for projects July 1, 2026–March 31, 2027; deadline March 10, 2027 (subject to budget availability)

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
Low
Deadline
Mar 10, 2027
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

Apply as early as possible — intake closes when funding exhausted.

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Success Profile

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Evaluation Criteria

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What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to win Invest Nova Scotia — Export Development Pr...

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Application Playbook

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

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Application Steps

1 First-time applicants contact a Regional Business Development Advisor at Invest Nova Scotia to obtain a Customer Number

Required Documents 4

✓ Online application
✓ Customer Number from Regional Advisor

Eligible Expenses 8

Ineligible Expenses 4

Intake Periods

Deadline Notes

Ineligible Organizations

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Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

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Compatible Programs

CanExport SMEs ACOA — Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) — Trade Market Export Development Program (MEDP)
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Low Risk
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How Invest Nova Scotia — Export Development Pr... Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

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Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
Invest Nova Scotia — Export Developme... up to $15,000 Easy Reimbursement Open — applications...
CanExport SMEs Up to $50,000 Moderate Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Between intakes — the...
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency ... Up to 50% of capital costs Moderate Reimbursement Ongoing
Business Development Program (BDP) - ... Varies (Repayable Contribution) Moderate Reimbursement Ongoing
CUA Community Investment Grant up to $7,500 Easy Advance Payment Annual — 2026 deadline...

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about Invest Nova Scotia — Export Development Pr...

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Can I apply if I'm a sole proprietor?
Yes, as long as you're NS-registered with a permanent establishment in NS and have a fully developed exportable product/service. Sole proprietors must provide a business plan with export strategy.
What's the typical award amount?
Most awards are $5,000-$15,000, but the program is first-come-first-served — early applications get priority before funding runs out.
Do I need to pay upfront for trade shows?
Yes, reimbursement requires you to pay costs upfront. You'll need receipts and a business plan showing export strategy to claim back 50% of eligible expenses.
Can I stack this with CanExport?
Yes, CanExport SMEs covers up to $75K for international market development — stack it with Invest NS for the same market to maximize funding.
Why do applications get rejected?
Common reasons: not NS-registered, no exportable product, missing export strategy, or applying after intake closes (funding runs out quickly).

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