CanExport Innovation
The short answer · Checked today
Up to $37,500 per project (75% of costs) for Canadian businesses with fewer than 500 employees, academic institutions and research centres to negotiate R&D partnerships with foreign partners. The next intake opens December 1, 2026 at noon Eastern for 24 hours, first come, first served.
Opens
Dec 1, 2026
Then closes Dec 2, 2026
Apply on tradecommissioner.gc.ca(Opens the funder’s site) Add the dates to my calendarKey facts
| Who can apply | Small businesses, Non-profits and charities |
|---|---|
| Pays for | Exporting, Research and innovation |
| Where | Canada |
| How much | Up to $37,500 · Pays up to 75% of costs |
| Type | Grant |
| Intake | Dec 1, 2026 to Dec 2, 2026 · Portal open 24 hours from 12 PM EST on December 1, 2026. |
Who qualifies, in the funder’s words
Each rule is copied word for word from the funder’s page, and re-checked. If the funder changes it, we take it down until it’s checked again.
How much
Up to 75% of eligible costs, to a maximum of $37,500 per project.
“The program funds up to 75% of eligible costs to a maximum of $37,500 in funding per project.” No more than $100,000 in any 12 months.
“An organization may receive a maximum of $100,000 in CanExport Innovation funding within any 12-month period.” Source: tradecommissioner.gc.ca · Checked today
Dates
The December 2026 intake is first come, first served.
“Applications submitted during the December 2026 intake will be assessed on a first-come, first-served basis.” Source: tradecommissioner.gc.ca · Checked today
Other
The R&D work itself isn't funded, only the steps to set up the partnership.
“CanExport Innovation provides funding for activities up until the point at which partnerships are formalized.” Source: tradecommissioner.gc.ca · Checked today
How to apply
Create an account on the CanExport Innovation portal, fill in My Profile, then choose Apply Now and complete the basic eligibility section. You'll hear back on basic eligibility by email within 7 business days.
Other programs for the same need, open now
$14,000 – $100,000
AAFC funding for small and medium-sized agriculture and agri-food businesses to diversify their markets: AAFC pays up to 70% of a project costing at least $20,000, normally under $100,000. Applications are open from February 13, 2026 until September 30, 2030.
Up to $2,000,000
AAFC funding for agriculture and agri-food industry associations and businesses to grow and diversify markets: up to $2 million a year and $10 million over five years, normally covering up to 50% of costs (70% in some cases). The intake is listed as open; contact the program before you apply. The program ends March 31, 2028.
A federal tax credit for research and development done in Canada. Most Canadian-controlled private corporations earn a refundable 35% credit on up to $6 million of qualified spending a year (for tax years starting after December 15, 2024); other claimants earn 15%. You claim it with your income tax return.
Guides and answers
Sources and checks
Facts on this page come from the funder’s own page, and a CanGrant editor hasn’t reviewed them yet. Check the funder’s page before you apply. tradecommissioner.gc.ca · Report a mistake