Expanding Export Potential with Government Funding 

The next major growth opportunity for many Canadian businesses may be found not across towns, but across borders. 

As global trade patterns continue to shift, Canadian businesses are increasingly looking beyond traditional markets to drive revenue growth, strengthen supply chains, and reduce reliance on a single export destination. Expanding internationally can unlock significant opportunities, but entering new markets requires investment in business development, market research, trade shows, regulatory compliance, localized marketing materials, and go-to-market execution activities. 

Fortunately, federal and provincial governments continue to invest heavily in government funding programs that help Canadian businesses reduce the financial risk associated with international growth. Whether your organization is exploring new export markets, launching commercialization initiatives, or developing infrastructure that supports trade diversification, several funding programs can help offset costs and accelerate expansion plans. 

Why Export Diversification Matters More Than Ever 

Canadian businesses have long benefited from strong trade relationships with the United States. However, recent economic volatility (including imposed tariffs), supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical uncertainty have highlighted the importance of developing a broader international customer base. 

Export diversification allows companies to reduce market concentration risk while creating new revenue streams in emerging and high-growth regions. It can also strengthen competitiveness by exposing organizations to new technologies, partnerships, and customer demands. 

Among the most impactful programs currently available are CanExport SMEs, Quebec’s Programme de soutien à la commercialisation et à l’exportation (PSCE), and the Trade Diversification Corridors Fund. These funding programs support different stages of export development, from market entry activities to large-scale trade infrastructure investments.  

CanExport SMEs: Supporting International Market Entry 

One of Canada’s most widely recognized export funding programs is CanExport SMEs, administered through the Trade Commissioner Service. The program helps Canadian businesses enter new international markets by sharing the costs associated with export development activities. The current 2026–27 program intake is open and accepting applications until August 31, 2026.  

Funding Snapshot: CanExport SMEs 

CanExport SMEs helps businesses reduce the financial burden of exploring and entering new international markets. 

Program Objectives 

• Support export diversification  
• Help Canadian businesses pursue opportunities in new international markets  
• Reduce the costs and risks associated with export development activities  

Funding Amount 

• Up to $50,000 per project  
• Typically covers up to 50% of eligible project costs  

Eligible Applicants 

• Canadian for-profit businesses  
• Between 3 and 500 employees  
• Businesses meeting revenue thresholds established by the program (the minimum revenue is $300,000) 

Eligible Expenses 

• International trade shows  
• Market research and intelligence gathering  
• International business travel  
• Marketing adaptation and translation  
• Intellectual property protection activities  

Timeline 

• 2026–27 intake currently open until August 31^st, 2026 
• Funding awarded through a competitive application process 

For businesses beginning their export journey, CanExport SMEs can provide critical support for testing new markets and establishing international business relationships before making larger-scale investments. 

PSCE: Helping Quebec Businesses Commercialize and Expand 

For Québec-based organizations, the Programme de soutien à la commercialisation et à l’exportation (PSCE) offers considerable support for commercialization and export growth initiatives. Administered through Investissement-Québec, the program was relaunched to strengthen the commercialization and export capabilities of both SMEs and large enterprises.  

Unlike many export funding programs that focus primarily on SMEs, PSCE also includes dedicated support streams that can benefit larger organizations pursuing strategic international growth projects.  

Funding Snapshot: PSCE 

PSCE is designed to help Québec businesses strengthen commercialization efforts and accelerate expansion into markets outside Québec and internationally. 

Program Objectives 

• Strengthen commercialization capabilities  
• Increase export readiness  
• Support market diversification outside of Québec  
• Accelerate international growth projects  

Funding Amount 

• Funding levels vary by stream and project scope  
• Support is available for both SMEs and large enterprises pursuing qualifying initiatives  

Eligible Applicants 

• Québec-based SMEs  
• Large enterprises  
• Organizations pursuing commercialization and export development activities  

Eligible Expenses 

• Digital marketing / SEO initiatives  
• Hiring related to new market development outside of Québec 
• Market research and feasibility studies  
• Strategic export growth planning  
• Supply chain integration opportunities  

Timeline 

• Continuous intake for large entreprise businesses 
• Multiple intake windows are offered depending on target markets for Volet 2. 

For large enterprises operating in Québec, PSCE can serve as an important funding source for strategic commercialization and export initiatives that require significant investment and market development efforts. 

Trade Diversification Corridors Fund: Building Canada’s Export Infrastructure 

While programs such as CanExport SMEs and PSCE focus on business growth activities, the Trade Diversification Corridors Fund (TDCF) supports the infrastructure that enables Canadian trade. 

Administered by Transport Canada, the $5 billion program is designed to strengthen transportation corridors, improve supply chain performance, reduce congestion, and increase access to global markets via various funding streams. The Government of Canada launched new calls for proposals in 2026, and the fund is currently accepting applications.  

Funding Snapshot: Trade Diversification Corridors Fund (TDCF) 

TDCF supports transportation and trade-enabling infrastructure projects that improve Canada’s ability to move goods efficiently to domestic and international markets. 

Program Objectives 

• Strengthen Canada’s supply chains  
• Improve transportation efficiency  
• Expand access to global markets  
• Support export diversification efforts  

Funding Amount 

• Part of a $5 billion federal funding commitment  
• Funding varies based on project scope and stream  

Eligible Applicants 

• Public sector organizations  
• Transportation authorities  
• Indigenous organizations  
• Certain private-sector partners and infrastructure stakeholders depending on project type  

Funding streams 

• Stream 1: High-impact projects in Canada’s major trade corridors, by invitation  
• Stream 2: Collaborative solutions aimed at addressing specific issues in major trade corridors, through a targeted call 
• Stream 3: Projects aimed at addressing gaps in trade-enabling transportation infrastructure that are limiting regional growth, through an open call 

Eligible Projects 

• Transportation infrastructure improvements  
• Trade corridor enhancements  
• Port, rail, airport, and supply chain projects  
• Capacity expansion initiatives  

Timeline 

• Current calls for proposals launched in 2026  
• Multiple streams and intake periods available  

While TDCF is not a traditional business grant, it demonstrates the federal government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening Canada’s export ecosystem and supporting long-term trade growth. 

Ready to Expand into New Markets? 

Export growth opportunities continue to emerge across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and other global regions. Canadian businesses that move early and strategically position themselves to capture market share while leveraging government funding to reduce investment risk. 

Ryan’s Canadian Government Funding team helps businesses identify eligible funding opportunities, build strong funding strategies, prepare competitive applications, and maximize funding outcomes.  

If your organization is planning commercialization initiatives, export development activities, or international expansion projects, connect with our team today to explore available export funding programs and develop a roadmap for growth.