PEI Export Trade Assistance
Eligibility & Details
What this program funds and who can apply
Program Description
Non-repayable grants for PEI exporters and export-ready companies to offset costs of participating in trade missions and trade shows (up to 60% of eligible costs) and to host incoming international buyer visits (up to 75% of eligible costs, max $3,000 per visit). Helps Island businesses access new export markets.
Eligibility Requirements
- Located and actively operating in Prince Edward Island
- Registered to conduct business in PEI
- Active exporter or export-ready company with products or services primarily manufactured or developed for export
- Not in default with the PEI Central Default Registry
- Not in default on reporting, completion, or financial obligations with Innovation PEI
- Application must be submitted and approved before any financial commitments are made
- Post-event survey must be submitted within 5 business days of completing a travel-related activity
Quick Assessment
Funding Details
- Amount
- Up to 60% of eligible trade mission/show costs; up to 75% (max $3,000) for incoming buyer visits
- Type
- Grant
- Level
- Provincial
- Co-Funding
- Up to 75% of eligible costs
- Deadline
- Activities must be completed before April 1, 2027
Program Scorecard
Competition, effort, and approval at a glance
Everything you need to win PEI Export Trade Assistance — $19
Not a marketing summary. The actual checklist, intel, and stack strategy reviewers look for.
- 7 rejection pitfalls reviewers flag — so you catch them first
- 6-document checklist with what each reviewer is actually checking
- 6-step application timeline with prep hours per step
- Insider tip from program officers on what separates winners
- 2-program stacking strategy to combine with compatible funding
- Success profile + evaluation criteria — exactly what reviewers score on
Applying for PEI Export Trade Assistance? Our Grant Proposal Template ($19) mirrors the section structure Canadian reviewers actually score on. Or get all 4 templates in the Founder Pack ($59 · saves $27) →
How to Win
Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like
Insider TipContact an Innovation PEI Trade Development Officer BEFORE applying and BEFORE booking any flights, hotels, or trade show registrations — costs incurred before approval are ineligible. The program caps combined non-repayable government funding at 75% of eligible costs, so confirm whether you're receiving any federal CanExport assistance for the same event. The incoming buyer visit stream (75%, max $3,000) is separate from the trade mission stream (60%, 2 reps) — both can be used in the same year up to their respective caps.
Rejection Pitfalls 7
- Financial commitments made (flights, hotel, registration) before application approval
- Post-mission survey not submitted within 5 business days
- Business not actively exporting or demonstrably export-ready
Success Profile
PEI-based exporter or export-ready company in agri-food, technology, manufacturing, bioscience, or creative industries with a specific upcoming trade show, trade mission, or planned international buyer visit. Best fit for companies with existing export sales or a documented export-ready product targeting identified markets.
Evaluation Criteria
First-come, first-served eligibility review. Assessed on: business operating status in PEI, export readiness or active export history, quality of economic benefit analysis, and available program funds. No merit scoring — compliance with eligibility criteria is the primary bar. Post-mission survey compliance is mandatory.
Application Playbook
Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses
Application Steps
Required Documents 6
Eligible Expenses 5
- Economy class travel (flights) for up to 2 company representatives
- Commercial accommodation during the trade event or mission
- Meal per diem (government rate) for representatives
- Economy class travel and accommodation for up to 2 incoming international buyers per visit
- Meal per diem for incoming buyers
Ineligible Expenses 5
- Costs incurred before application approval
- Business class or first class travel
- Travel or accommodation for more than 2 company representatives per event
- Trade show booth fees, exhibition space, or marketing materials (contact Innovation PEI to confirm)
- Costs that bring combined non-repayable government funding above 75% of eligible costs
Intake Periods
Continuous intake until activities completed before April 1, 2027. First-come, first-served. Apply before making any financial commitments for the planned activity.
Deadline Notes
Eligible activities must be completed before April 1, 2027. Apply before making any financial commitments — applications must be submitted and approved prior to the trade event or buyer visit. First-come, first-served within available program budget.
Open Application Portal →Ineligible Organizations
- Businesses not located and actively operating in PEI
- Businesses not exporting or not demonstrably export-ready
- Businesses in default with PEI Central Default Registry or Innovation PEI
- Organizations that have already completed the trade activity before applying
Funding Stack Strategy
Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential
Compatible Programs
Clawback Risk
Low RiskNo clawback beyond standard compliance — failure to submit the required post-mission survey within 5 business days may make reimbursement ineligible.
How PEI Export Trade Assistance Compares
Side-by-side with similar programs
| Program | Amount | Difficulty | Payment | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PEI Export Trade Assistance | Up to 60% of eligible trade mission/show costs | Easy | Reimbursement | Activities must be... |
| CanExport SMEs | Up to $50,000 | Moderate | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Next deadline: May 29,... |
| Strategic Response Fund (formerly Str... | Up to $50 million | Hard | Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) | Ongoing — continuous... |
| Innovative Solutions Canada | up to $150,000 | Hard | Milestone-Based | Challenge-specific — new... |
| Ocean Supercluster | Up to $5 million | Hard | Reimbursement | Call-specific — no open... |
Related Programs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about PEI Export Trade Assistance