Export grants for small businesses: CanExport and the US STEP program
Export grants for small businesses in Canada and the US: CanExport SMEs and Innovation, SBA's STEP program, trade support and how to apply.
Selling into a new country costs money before it makes money: market research, trade shows, travel, translation, certifications and marketing. Both Canada and the US run programs that share some of those costs with small businesses. This guide explains the main ones and how to prepare.
Canada: CanExport and related programs
The Trade Commissioner Service lists federal export funding on its funding and financing page. Programs listed include:
- CanExport SMEs: up to $50,000 in funding to enter new international markets.
- CanExport Innovation: up to $37,500 to develop R&D partnerships in international markets.
- CanExport GAC-Led Delegations: funding for SMEs selected to participate in eligible trade missions and delegations.
- Innovation Partnership Program: support and funding to build international innovation partnerships.
- CanExport Associations and CanExport Community Investments: each up to $500,000, for associations and for attracting foreign direct investment respectively. At the time of writing the page showed both as not accepting applications.
- Advancing International Clean Technology Demonstrations Initiative: support to test, demonstrate and scale clean technologies with partners in Indo-Pacific markets.
The page also points to partner funding and financing, including loans, risk management, innovation support, and funding for women and diverse exporters.
Tips for CanExport SMEs
- Pick a target market. CanExport is about new markets. Be specific about the country or region and why.
- Plan activities against eligible costs. Typical activities include market research, trade shows, business travel and marketing adapted to the market. Check the current applicant guide for the eligible list.
- Apply before spending. Costs incurred before approval are generally not eligible.
- Talk to a trade commissioner. The Trade Commissioner Service offers advice and contacts in foreign markets.
Agri-food exporters should also review AAFC's AgriMarketing Program under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
United States: the STEP program
The US Small Business Administration runs the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP), described on the SBA grants page. STEP provides financial awards to state and territory governments, which then help small businesses with export costs.
According to the SBA, STEP financial support helps US small businesses:
- Learn to export
- Participate in foreign trade missions
- Design international marketing products and campaigns
- Support website globalization and e-commerce capabilities
- Pay for subscriptions to services provided by the Department of Commerce and other federal agencies
- Participate in export trade show exhibits and training workshops
The SBA says STEP grants are for established US small businesses and lists eligible activities such as trade missions, Commerce Department services, translation fees, market media design, trade show exhibitions, export training, reverse trade missions and consultancy services.
How to apply: you do not apply to the SBA directly. The SBA publishes a directory of STEP awardees by state or territory, and you contact your state's STEP office to learn about its application process. Note that not every state receives STEP funding every year.
Other US export resources
The International Trade Administration's export solutions page covers market research, counselling and trade events. The SBA also offers export loan programs, listed with its loan programs. These are loans, not grants.
Building an export plan funders like
Whether you apply to CanExport or a state STEP office, a short export plan makes your application stronger:
- Market choice: why this market, with evidence such as inquiries, distributor interest or research.
- Readiness: your capacity to deliver, including production, regulatory approvals and pricing.
- Activities: the specific trade shows, trips, research or marketing you will undertake.
- Budget: quotes for each activity, matched to eligible cost categories.
- Outcomes: what success looks like, such as distributor agreements, first orders or partnerships.
Common mistakes
- Applying for a market you have not researched at all.
- Booking travel or a trade show before approval.
- Underestimating your cost share. Most programs reimburse only part of the costs.
- Losing receipts. Claims require documentation for every expense.
Frequently asked questions
Can a startup with no sales get export funding? Programs often expect an established business with capacity to export. Check eligibility for the specific program and stream.
Is STEP available in every state? STEP awards go to participating states and territories. Check the SBA directory for your state.
Is CanExport a grant? It is non-repayable funding that reimburses a share of eligible costs, subject to the program's terms.
Export programs reward preparation. Choose a market, plan specific activities, apply before spending, and keep every receipt.
What costs are usually not covered? Capital equipment, routine operating costs and expenses incurred before approval are commonly excluded by export programs. Always read the current eligible cost list.
How long does approval take? Processing times vary by program and intake volume. Apply well before your first planned activity.
Before you apply: a quick checklist
- Read the current official program page and applicant guide, not a summary of last year's version.
- Confirm you are eligible: organization type, size, location and years in operation.
- Confirm your project is eligible: the activities and costs the program actually funds.
- Classify the money: grant, repayable contribution, loan, tax credit or service.
- Work out your share: cost share, matching funds and the cash you need before reimbursement.
- Note the intake window or deadline and the time zone, and plan to submit days early.
- Ask the program contact any question you cannot answer from the guide.
- Do not start spending until you have a signed agreement or written approval.
Mistakes that sink otherwise good applications
- Applying to a program that does not fit, in the hope that reviewers will stretch the rules. They rarely do.
- Copying last year's application without checking what changed in the guide.
- Vague outcomes. Say what will change, for whom, and how you will measure it.
- A budget that does not match the narrative. Every cost should connect to an activity you describe.
- Submitting at the last minute, when portals are busy and there is no time to fix errors.
Keep exploring on GrantSift
Find the programs that fit you
Official program pages are the source of truth, but finding them is the slow part. GrantSift pulls grants and funders from official sources such as Grants.gov and Government of Canada open data into one searchable database covering the US and Canada across every sector. Each listing links back to the official page, and paid plans unlock funder contacts, deadlines you can track, and filters that match programs to your business or organization. Search grants on GrantSift or see plans and pricing.