Updated July 2026 · Verified against Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP) guidelines
✓ First-Timer Friendly Reimbursement
Grant Provincial Active

STEP — Business Advisory Services Funding Program

Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP)
Maximum Funding
Up to $5,000
Ongoing — first-come, first-served until March 31, 2028
Visit Official Program →
Difficulty
Easy
Payment
Reimbursement
Trend
Stable
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Co-Funding
50%
STEP — Business Advisory Services Funding Program provides Up to $5,000 reimbursement per fiscal year (50% of eligible third-party consulting costs). STEP's Business Advisory Services Funding Program reimburses Saskatchewan exporters 50% of third-party consulting costs (up to $5,000 per fiscal year) for advisory services focused on entering or expanding in non-U.S. international markets. The program covers up to 50% of eligible costs. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
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Eligibility & Details

What this program funds and who can apply

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Program Description

STEP's Business Advisory Services Funding Program reimburses Saskatchewan exporters 50% of third-party consulting costs (up to $5,000 per fiscal year) for advisory services focused on entering or expanding in non-U.S. international markets. The program covers independent consulting fees for market entry assessments, operational restructuring, and cross-border technology advisory, but explicitly excludes staff training, employee travel, and software development. It runs on a first-come, first-served basis through March 31, 2028.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Saskatchewan-based business with an exportable product or service
  • Incorporated business, partnership, or proprietorship registered federally or provincially
  • Must have been operating in Saskatchewan for a minimum of 2 years
  • Minimum annual sales of $25,000
  • Consulting work must focus on market diversification within Canada or in non-U.S. international markets (the United States is excluded)
  • The consultant must be performing work related to Saskatchewan operations
  • The consultant must possess specialized expertise or training not otherwise available within the applicant organization
  • Consultant must be arm's-length (independent third party — not an employee, director, shareholder, or related party)
  • May not use other federal, provincial or municipal government funding to cover the same costs submitted under this application
  • Must be in full compliance with all applicable laws
  • Only one consultant/provider per application
Provinces
Saskatchewan
Industries
All
Business Stage
Growth Expansion Established

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Easy
Competition
Low
First-Timer
Friendly

Funding Details

Amount
Up to $5,000 reimbursement per fiscal year (50% of eligible third-party consulting costs)
Type
Grant
Level
Provincial
Co-Funding
Up to 50% of eligible costs
Deadline
Ongoing — first-come, first-served until March 31, 2028

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
Low
Deadline
Mar 31, 2028
Approval
Entitlement
Accessibility
--/5
Competition
--/5
Approval Rate
--%
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What's in this Playbook

Everything you need to win STEP — Business Advisory Services Funding ...

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How to Win

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

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Insider Tip

Apply before starting the consulting engagement — STEP assesses applications before approving, so retroactive applications for work already completed may be rejected.

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Success Profile

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Evaluation Criteria

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Application Playbook

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

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Application Steps

1 Download and complete the application form Download the Business Advisory Services Funding Program application form from sasktrade.com. Complete the form identifying the consultant, scope of work, eligible expenses, and target non-U.S. international market. Confirm the engagement runs 12 months or less and that the consultant brings expertise not available within your own organization.

Required Documents 5

✓ Completed application form (downloadable from STEP website)
✓ Invoice(s) from the third-party consultant

Eligible Expenses 5

Ineligible Expenses 14

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

STEP — Market Diversification Program (MDP) CanExport SMEs
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

None Risk
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How STEP — Business Advisory Services Funding ... Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about STEP — Business Advisory Services Funding ...

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Can I apply after I've already hired a consultant?
No — applications must be submitted to STEP before the consulting work begins. Retroactive applications for work already completed are not eligible. Apply as soon as you identify the consulting need.
What counts as an arm's-length consultant?
The consultant must be genuinely independent — not an employee, director, shareholder, or family member of the business. A freelance consultant or consulting firm with no ownership or employment relationship to your business qualifies.
Can I apply multiple times in one fiscal year?
The program allows up to $5,000 reimbursement per fiscal year (April 1-March 31). You may submit multiple applications for different consulting engagements, but combined reimbursements cannot exceed $5,000 in a single fiscal year.
Does the consulting have to focus on a specific country?
The consulting must focus on non-U.S. international markets — any country or region outside the United States qualifies. The scope must explicitly target international expansion rather than domestic Saskatchewan operations.
What if I miss the 21-day claim submission deadline?
Late claims are typically rejected. STEP's 21-day post-completion deadline is strict — set a calendar reminder as soon as your consulting project completes to ensure you don't miss it.

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