Eight export and international trade programs are available for Manitoba businesses in 2026, from the Manitoba Export Development Program's 75% trade show reimbursement to the $1M Regional Tariff Response Initiative for businesses responding to US tariffs. Winnipeg exporters, Brandon manufacturers, agri-food companies in the Red River Valley, and tech firms in the North Portage corridor all access different combinations of these programs.
Manitoba export businesses can access 8 active programs in 2026. The Manitoba Export Development Program (EDP) reimburses up to 75% of trade show exhibitor costs for companies with $30,000–$50M in annual sales. The Incoming Buyer Program (IBP) pays up to $5,000 per project when you invite qualified international buyers to visit. Federally, CanExport SMEs provides up to $50,000 per project ($99,999/company/year) for market development activities in new export markets. The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) provides up to $1M non-repayable for incorporated SMEs responding to US tariffs through market diversification. The Canadian International Innovation Program funds co-innovation partnerships up to $600K. For agri-food exporters, the AgriMarketing Market Diversification SME Stream provides up to $100,000 at 70% cost-share. PrairiesCan BSP provides $200K–$5M (repayable) for high-growth Manitoba companies with export-ready scale plans.
Source: Province of Manitoba Trade and Investment; Global Affairs Canada; PrairiesCan; Agriculture and Agri-Food CanadaTell us your industry, target markets, and annual revenue — we'll match you to every program you qualify for, including provincial programs many exporters miss.
Take the free quiz →| Program | Max amount | Revenue eligibility | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manitoba EDP | 75% of trade show costs | $30K–$50M | Trade show exhibitors |
| Incoming Buyer Program | $5,000 per project | $30K–$50M | Hosting international buyers |
| CanExport SMEs | $50K/project, $99.9K/yr | $300K–$100M | New market development |
| RTRI | $1,000,000 | No minimum stated | US tariff diversification |
| CIIP | $600,000 | No minimum stated | International co-innovation |
| AgriMarketing SME | $100,000 (70% cost-share) | No stated minimum | Agri-food export marketing |
| PrairiesCan BSP | $5,000,000 (repayable) | 20%+ YoY growth pref. | Scale-up with export component |
| CanExport Innovation | $37,500/project | No minimum stated | Early R&D internationalization |
The Manitoba Export Development Program is your first call. The program reimburses 75% of eligible trade show exhibiting costs — booth fees, freight, and some travel — for companies with between $30,000 and $50,000,000 in annual sales. You must apply before the event, not after. A Brandon-based agricultural equipment manufacturer attending SIMA in Paris or a Winnipeg food producer exhibiting at Anuga in Cologne applies through Trade and Investment Manitoba before purchasing booth space.
If you also plan to invite international buyers to visit your Manitoba facility or production operation, the Incoming Buyer Program provides a separate $5,000 per project (50% of eligible expenses). These two programs are not mutually exclusive — you can attend a trade show with EDP and host a buyer visit with IBP in the same fiscal year.
Source: Manitoba Trade and Investment (gov.mb.ca/jec/busdev/financial/export)CanExport SMEs is specifically designed for this situation. Global Affairs Canada provides up to $50,000 per project at 50% cost-share for eligible market development activities: travel to target markets, trade consultants, market studies, intellectual property protection, and website localization. The next CanExport deadline is May 29, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET. You must be incorporated, have $300K–$100M in Canadian revenue, and be entering a market where you have made fewer than $100,000 in sales in the last two years.
If your market entry involves a technology partnership or co-development project with a foreign company, the Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) may also apply, funding up to $15,000 for partnership development activities or up to $600,000 for a full co-innovation project. CIIP has continuous intake through Global Affairs Canada's Science and Technology Partnerships team.
The Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI) was launched specifically to help Canadian businesses diversify away from the US market. It provides up to $1,000,000 non-repayable (up to $300,000 for market-diversification-only projects) to incorporated SMEs with at least 3 years of operations and 5+ employees. Eligible activities include market intelligence, trade commissioner engagement, trade show attendance in non-US markets, and product adaptation for new countries. Projects must be completed by March 31, 2028. Delivered through regional development agencies — for Manitoba, apply through PrairiesCan.
RTRI is stackable with the Manitoba EDP if the trade show being funded is in a non-US market. A Winnipeg export business attending an Asia-Pacific trade fair could claim provincial EDP reimbursement for exhibitor costs and RTRI funding for the broader market diversification project.
Source: ISED Canada — Regional Tariff Response Initiative (ised-isde.canada.ca)The AgriMarketing Market Diversification — SME Stream provides up to $100,000 at 70% cost-share for export promotion, trade mission participation, and market development in international markets (minimum $14,000 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada contribution). Manitoba wheat, canola, pulse, pork, and specialty food exporters working through Manitoba Canola Growers, Manitoba Pork Council, or directly as SMEs are eligible. The program is active with rolling intake. Eligible expenditures include market research, promotional materials, international trade show participation, and product testing for foreign market requirements.
For co-operative sector agri-food exporters based in communities like Winkler, Morden, Altona, Steinbach, or along the Trans-Canada corridor, PrairiesCan BSP provides $200K–$5M (repayable) for scale-up projects with an export component, if the company has demonstrated 20%+ year-over-year revenue growth. BSP co-funding of 50% from non-government sources is required.
Is your business a for-profit SME (under 500 employees) in Manitoba with $30,000–$50,000,000 in annual sales?
Is your export project responding to US tariff disruption and diversifying away from the US market?
| Program | How to apply | Timing requirement | Intake status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manitoba EDP | gov.mb.ca/jec/busdev/financial/export | Before the event | Open — 2026/27 fiscal year |
| Incoming Buyer Program | Trade & Investment Manitoba — same portal | Before buyer visit | Continuous (until funds committed) |
| CanExport SMEs | tradecommissioner.gc.ca — online portal | Before activities begin | Deadline: May 29, 2026 at 12 PM ET |
| CanExport Innovation | tradecommissioner.gc.ca | Before activities begin | Between intakes |
| CIIP | Global Affairs Canada — S&T Partnerships | Before project start | Active |
| RTRI | PrairiesCan regional office (for MB) | Before activities begin; deadline March 31, 2028 | Active |
| AgriMarketing SME | agriculture.canada.ca/en/programs/agrimarketing-sme | Before activities begin | Active intake |
| PrairiesCan BSP | EOI at prairies-economique.canada.ca | EOI → invited to full application | Continuous intake |
| Activity | EDP reimbursement rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trade show exhibiting (international) | Up to 75% | Cannot have attended same show more than 2× in 5 years |
| Trade show attending (international) | Up to 50% | Lower rate for attendees vs exhibitors |
| Incoming buyer project | Up to 50% (max $5,000) | Separate IBP program; buyer must be qualified international buyer |
| Criterion | Requirement | Common disqualifier |
|---|---|---|
| Incorporation | Must be incorporated in Canada | Sole proprietors and LPs ineligible |
| Canadian revenue | $300,000–$100,000,000 | Under $300K ineligible |
| Target market sales | Under $100,000 in last 2 years | Established markets over $100K not eligible |
| Eligible activities | Travel, consultants, market studies, IP, web localization | Capital assets, staffing costs not eligible |
| Cost-share | 50% (CanExport pays up to 50%) | Must cover at least 50% of project costs yourself |
| Stack | Best for | Combined ceiling | Key constraint |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDP + CanExport SMEs | Any MB incorporated company at a trade show | $15,000 (EDP) + $50,000 (CanExport) | Activities must be documented separately |
| RTRI + CanExport SMEs | Companies actively diversifying from US | $1,000,000 + $50,000 | RTRI is for diversification; CanExport is per-market |
| AgriMarketing + EDP | MB agri-food at international food expos | 70% AgriMarketing + $15K EDP | Some costs may not be double-claimable |
| IBP + EDP | MB company hosting incoming buyers | $5,000 (IBP) + $15,000 (EDP) | IBP requires qualified international buyers |
| CanExport Innovation + CanExport SMEs | Technology companies with IP strategy | $75,000 (Innovation) + $50,000 (SMEs) | CanExport Innovation currently between intakes |
The Manitoba Export Development Program is the best entry point, because it requires only $30,000 in annual sales, accepts pre-approval applications before you commit to booth costs, and reimburses 75% of exhibitor costs post-event. CanExport SMEs is higher-value but requires $300K revenue and Canadian incorporation.
The Regional Tariff Response Initiative is purpose-built for this scenario, because it provides up to $1M non-repayable and explicitly covers market diversification activities. The May 29 CanExport deadline also provides a parallel opportunity for the same export project if the activities are documented as separate.
AgriMarketing Market Diversification SME Stream provides the highest subsidy rate (70%) for agri-food companies, and is specifically designed for emerging market development. Manitoba canola, pulse, pork, and specialty food producers all qualify. The Manitoba EDP can be stacked for trade show exhibiting costs at the same event.
PrairiesCan BSP provides $200K–$5M for incorporated companies in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba with 20%+ year-over-year revenue growth and a confirmed 50% non-government co-funding match. It is the largest available program but requires a competitive two-stage application. Companies in the Winnipeg technology district, Brandon's industrial manufacturing sector, and Thompson's resource-processing corridor are the typical applicants.
Manitoba's export support network operates from Winnipeg's James Richardson International Airport corridor, where Trade and Investment Manitoba — a division of Manitoba Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation — manages both the Export Development Program and the Incoming Buyer Program from offices at 259 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg. The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development Winnipeg in the True North corridor provide pre-application coaching. Export Development Canada (EDC) maintains a Winnipeg office providing insurance and financing products that stack with provincial grants. The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and the French-language economic development network Conseil de développement économique des municipalités bilingues du Manitoba (CDEM) serve businesses in Saint-Boniface, Saint-Vital, and the Red River francophone communities seeking export pathways to Francophone markets.
For federal programs, the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service operates a Manitoba office supporting CanExport applicants in Winnipeg, Brandon, and throughout the province. PrairiesCan (Prairies Economic Development Canada) covers Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, with its regional office managing BSP and RTRI applications for Manitoba businesses. Agricultural exporters in the Red River Valley, Pembina Valley, Portage la Prairie agri-food corridor, Altona food processing zone, and Winkler food manufacturing cluster access AgriMarketing through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Winnipeg regional office. Food processors in the Brandon industrial park, Steinbach manufacturing zone, and Dauphin agricultural district also qualify. Manitoba's Food and Beverage Manitoba industry association and Manitoba Canola Growers Association provide co-application guidance.
Technology exporters in Winnipeg's True North Square innovation district, the Digital Media Centre, Peg City incubator, and companies along the Pembina Highway technology corridor access CIIP and CanExport Innovation through Global Affairs Canada's Science and Technology Partnerships team. First Nations businesses on Swan River First Nation, Peguis First Nation, Sandy Bay Ojibway First Nation, and other communities within reach of the Winnipeg and Brandon Trade Commissioner offices also qualify for CanExport programs. The Northern Manitoba regional economic zones — including the Thompson Nickel Belt and The Pas/OCN corridor — are served by the PrairiesCan Thompson satellite for export-readiness support.
Source: Manitoba Trade and Investment; Global Affairs Canada Trade Commissioner Service; PrairiesCanThe Manitoba Export Development Program reimburses Manitoba companies for eligible costs of participating in international trade shows — 75% for exhibitors, 50% for attendees. Eligible companies must have annual sales between $30,000 and $50,000,000 and must not have attended the specific trade show more than twice in the past five years. Applications must be submitted and approved before the event. The 2026/27 fiscal year intake is open. Separate from the EDP, the Incoming Buyer Program (IBP) reimburses $5,000 per project (50% of costs) for hosting qualified international buyers.
EDP details at gov.mb.ca →The Incoming Buyer Program reimburses Manitoba SMEs for the eligible costs of inviting qualified international buyers to visit Manitoba for procurement discussions. More than half of the company's workforce must reside in Manitoba. Eligible expenses include travel, accommodation, meeting facility costs, and interpreter fees for the buyer visit. Projects must be completed within a defined funding period. Stackable with the Manitoba EDP if the buyer visit is related to a trade show.
IBP details at gov.mb.ca →CanExport SMEs provides 50% cost-share up to $50,000 per project for eligible market development activities in new international markets. Eligible activities include market research, trade show participation, hiring export consultants, intellectual property protection, and website localization for the target market. The company must be incorporated in Canada with $300,000–$100,000,000 in Canadian revenue, and the target market must have received fewer than $100,000 in sales from this company over the last two years. Next deadline: May 29, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET.
CanExport SMEs at tradecommissioner.gc.ca →CanExport Innovation supports Canadian innovators in building international R&D partnerships by funding travel and meeting costs to secure foreign partnerships for technology commercialization. The program is currently between intakes. Eligible activities include travel to meet potential foreign partners, legal fees for partnership agreements, and translation costs. When open, applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis through the Trade Commissioner Service portal.
CanExport Innovation at tradecommissioner.gc.ca →CIIP funds Canadian companies pursuing R&D partnerships with companies in designated partner countries. Partnership Development Activities receive up to $15,000 for initial travel and meetings to explore co-innovation. Co-Innovation Projects receive up to $600,000 for collaborative R&D, testing, and technology demonstrations. Manitoba technology companies with prospective partners in CIIP partner countries (including the US, UK, Israel, India, South Korea, and others) can apply at any time through Global Affairs Canada's S&T Partnerships team.
CIIP at tradecommissioner.gc.ca →The RTRI helps Canadian businesses respond to US tariff disruptions by diversifying their export markets. Eligible activities include market intelligence, Trade Commissioner engagement, trade show participation in non-US markets, product adaptation for new markets, and supply chain development outside the US. For Manitoba applicants, RTRI is delivered through PrairiesCan's regional office. Companies must be for-profit, incorporated for at least 3 years, and have 5 or more employees. Stackable with CanExport SMEs and Manitoba EDP for distinct project components.
RTRI at ised-isde.canada.ca →The AgriMarketing Market Diversification SME Stream provides up to $100,000 at 70% cost-share for Canadian agri-food companies developing new export markets. Eligible activities include international market research, trade show attendance, promotional materials, and product testing for new market entry. Manitoba canola processors, grain handlers, meat producers, pulse exporters, and specialty food companies are the primary applicants. The 70% cost-share rate is higher than CanExport's 50%, making it more accessible for smaller agri-food SMEs.
AgriMarketing SME at agriculture.canada.ca →PrairiesCan BSP provides $200,000–$5,000,000 in interest-free repayable contributions for incorporated, high-growth businesses in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Eligible activities include equipment, digital transformation, market expansion (including export), and productivity improvements. A confirmed 50% non-government co-funding commitment is required. BSP is not a grant — it is interest-free repayable, typically over 5–10 years. Companies with 20%+ year-over-year revenue growth are preferred. Maximum lifetime BSP support is $10 million per organization.
PrairiesCan BSP at canada.ca →Regional Tariff Response Initiative launched 2025: The RTRI was introduced in response to the 2025 US tariff actions affecting Canadian exporters. It provides up to $1M non-repayable for market diversification projects and is the most significant new export grant for Manitoba businesses in multiple years. Projects must complete by March 31, 2028. For Manitoba, applications flow through PrairiesCan.
CanExport SMEs — May 29, 2026 deadline: The current intake cycle closes on May 29, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET. Businesses that have been exploring new export markets should apply before this deadline. The program has historically had 2–3 intake cycles per year — if the May 29 deadline is missed, monitor the Trade Commissioner Service portal for the next intake opening.
Manitoba EDP 2026/27 fiscal year open: The Export Development Program for 2026/27 has opened for applications. Manitoba businesses planning international trade show participation in the coming fiscal year should apply before securing booth commitments, as retroactive applications are not accepted.
CanExport Innovation between intakes: CanExport Innovation (for early-stage R&D internationalization) is currently between intakes. It was active at $37,500 per project in its most recent cycle. Monitor tradecommissioner.gc.ca for the next intake opening date.
Tell us your sector, target markets, and revenue — we'll match you to every program you qualify for and tell you which to apply for first.
Start the free quiz →Manitoba export & trade programs in our database, each with eligibility, funding amounts and how-to-apply detail.