Creative Export Canada – Export Development Stream is sponsored by Canadian Heritage. Offered funding to new and early-stage exporters to build capacity and expand into international markets.

Application Guidelines – Export Development Stream - Canada.

ca Application Guidelines – Export Development Stream Objectives and expected results for Creative Export Canada Objectives and expected results for the Export Development Stream Limits of government assistance How applications are evaluated Application processing time Anti-racism and anti-hate Official languages requirements Acknowledgement of financial assistance Access to information requests Disclosure of information Audits of recipients and evaluation of the program Objectives and expected results for Creative Export Canada Creative Export Canada offers funding for projects that forecast generating export revenues and help Canadian creative industries reach more people around the world.

Ultimately, the program aims to increase export profitability for Canada’s creative industries. Objectives and expected results for the Export Development Stream The Export Development Stream of the program enables for-profit companies and not-for-profit organizations in the creative industries with little to no experience in export to expand their sales into international markets.

It also enables seasoned exporters to enter international markets where they currently have little to no sales and to develop new or existing international business networks. The application deadline is June 25, 2025, for projects with expenses occurring between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026.

To be eligible for funding, your company/organization must: be incorporated under the laws of Canada, a province or a territory; companies/organizations that are not incorporated because they are registered on First Nations reserve lands may write to the program at creativeexportcanada-exportationcreativecanada@pch. gc. ca to submit proof of their registration.

be a for-profit company or a not-for-profit organization; be Canadian-owned and controlled; have a maximum of $10 million in annual revenues in the current or previous fiscal year; and have a minimum of one full-time employee (who receives a salary and works a minimum of 30 hours a week).

Ineligible entities include: other financial support programs or funds, either public or private; public relations agencies or marketing agencies; entities or subsidiaries of a parent company with more than $10 million in annual revenues in their most recent fiscal year; and recipients who have received three years of Creative Export Canada funding in the last five years (from 2021-2022 to 2025-2026), including entities or subsidiaries of a parent company.

A percentage of Creative Export Canada – Export Development Stream funding will be reserved for companies/organizations whereby at least 50% of the owners and/or board members self-identify as Indigenous peoples and/or members of equity-deserving communities.

As such, the program encourages applicants from these communities to have owners and/or board members self-identify through the voluntary self-identification questionnaire to be eligible for this reserved funding. Only those applicants who submit completed voluntary self-identification questionnaires and meet the 50% threshold will be considered for this reserved funding.

The program is responsible for determining the eligibility of each applicant, its project and project-related expenses. If you are in doubt about the eligibility of your company/organization or project, please contact the program for clarification. The Export Development Stream is highly competitive.

Requests for funding typically exceed our available resources. Therefore, submitting an eligible application does not guarantee funding .

To be eligible for funding, your project must: have creative content developed and ready for sales at the project start date: the applicant must hold the intellectual property rights for the content; if the project involves content with a third party's intellectual property, the applicant must demonstrate that they have secured the rights of usage for the market(s) targeted by the project; if the project is a collective event that will benefit project participants/third parties, such as a collective trade event or a trade mission, the project participants/third parties must hold the intellectual property rights or have secured the rights of usage for the market(s) targeted by the project.

allow creative industries to expand their sales into international markets and/or develop international business networks and partnerships; expect to generate export revenues or lead to generating export revenues for the recipient or project participants/third-parties; have content to export from one or more of the following creative industries: design (limited to exhibit design, fashion design, artistic product design, public art design, urban design); publishing (books and periodicals); interactive digital media (in combination with at least one of the industries listed above).

focus on a specific target export market(s) (the targeted markets can be new or existing); have a minimum total cost of $15,000; be funded at a minimum of 25% by private sources (which can include applicant’s own contribution or a loan from a financial institution, including the Business Development Bank of Canada ). Projects that, in the opinion of the Department of Canadian Heritage, involve offensive content are not eligible.

A project that only consists of travel to events or business meetings is unlikely to be competitive in this process.

Only project-related cash expenses are eligible; these may include: Export planning activities , limited to a maximum of $30,000 of the total requested amount per fiscal year , such as: development of an export plan or market entry strategy; international marketing plan; market research on target export markets; planning of distribution and logistics; help to find a broker or distributor, including international distribution channels; business services and advice; legal services (e.g., contract support, intellectual property); tariffs, certification requirements, regulations and insurance advice; e-business or online strategy (this may include an online international plan, sales or online security advice); and other export planning expenses.

Export training and mentorship activities , such as: international business advisory services; other training and mentorship activities that support exporting. Applicants requesting funding for training and mentorship activities must clearly demonstrate how the project aligns with the program’s objectives. Training and mentorship activities must be offered to Canadian companies/organizations operating in the creative industries.

Training and mentorship activities must be directed by recognized professionals in the creative industry in which training is provided (you are required to provide a copy of the diploma, biography and/or curriculum vitae for each of the principal teaching staff involved in the delivery of training and mentorship activities relating to the project).

A minimum of 30 hours of training must be offered to participants for export training expenses. Applicants must demonstrate how the proposed training and mentorship activities respond to industry needs (for example, studies, surveying members, letter of support).

International market readiness activities , such as: translation and interpretation expenses; shipping and handling expenses; website development, including software and programming expenses and search engine optimization; product photography and videography, including product styling; initial e-commerce platform development; and other international market readiness expenses.

Project-related translation and interpretation expenses are limited to a maximum of 10% of the total amount of funding requested from the Export Development Stream.

Market development activities , limited to a maximum of $40,000 of the total requested amount per fiscal year, such as: travel-related expenses, which must be directly related to the project and must not exceed the rates permitted for travel on government business , in accordance with the National Joint Council Travel Directive .

Travel-related expenses may include: bringing delegations of international buyers to events in Canada Note * ; and bringing delegations of Canadian stakeholders to international events to develop business partnerships.

structured activities designed to develop and maintain international business-to-business relationships (i.e., one-on-one meetings, facilitated meet-and-greets and other networking activities); purchase or rental of trade show or exhibition space/floor; venue rentals and related expenses; expenses related to showcases, markets and business-to-business meetings; conference registration or participation fees; marketing material (e.g., pamphlets, business cards, samples), including printing and digital marketing costs; other market development expenses.

Market development activities notes Market development activities note * Applicants requesting funding for travel-related expenses to bring delegations of international buyers to events in Canada must demonstrate a benefit to multiple Canadian creative companies/organizations.

Return to Market development activities note * referrer Applicants requesting funding for travel-related expenses may apply for single or several destinations within one (1) trip and for multiple trips within one (1) application, within costing limitations.

Applicants whose projects demonstrate strong business partnerships for creative industries, or the potential to develop and/or expand business partnerships for creative industries, will be prioritized for market development activities.

Project-related administrative costs (e.g., general office supplies, mailing, and cloud storage costs) are limited to a maximum of 15% of the total amount of funding requested from the Export Development Stream. Salaries directly related to the project are eligible.

Ineligible expenses include: ongoing operating expenditures (e.g., salaries or wages not directly related to the project), routine or recurring activities, ongoing overhead expenditures (e.g., rent, insurance, utilities); capital expenses related to applicant’s ongoing operating activities (e.g., computer or equipment purchase; creative content creation and development; production of creative content destined for export (e.g. printing copies of books; manufacturing fashion items; manufacturing video games for consoles; etc.); hospitality and related expenses (e.g., meals and beverages served at an event, catering fees); prizes, gifts and giveaways (e.g., pencil, mug, bag, t-shirt, trial version/digital product); creative content not related to one of the eligible creatives industries; travel expenses relating to government-led trade missions; and expenses relating to lobbying, public relations, policy development and influence.

Funding may not be used to pay dividends, bonuses or other extraordinary compensation to shareholders or owners. If funding is approved, the program may fund expenses incurred as of April 1, 2025. However, if you incur expenses for your project before receiving written confirmation of your funding approval, you will be doing so at your own risk.

Limits of government assistance To ensure the success of your project, you are required to have other funding sources. This may include contributions from your company/organization, the private sector (including a loan from a financial institution, such as the Business Development Bank of Canada ) or other levels of government. Proof of support and partnerships are required.

The total financial assistance received from the Export Development Stream and other levels of government (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal) cannot exceed 75% for the same, eligible project-related costs. Please note that funding from FACTOR/Musicaction, the Canada Media Fund, or similar funders, are considered to be public funding. The program can fund up to $90,000 per fiscal year.

Projects eligible for funding from other programs that fund the same activities must list the requested amount from these programs in their project budget and specify whether they are forecasted or confirmed. Please read these Application Guidelines in their entirety before completing your application. You must meet all eligibility requirements and submit a complete application package to be considered for funding.

To ensure fairness in assessment for all applicants, failure to submit a complete application will result in an automatic rejection. An organization/company may submit only one application per deadline, including entities or subsidiaries of a parent company.

A complete application package includes: a completed, dated and signed Application Form; project budget (using the template provided in the Application Form); incorporation documents (or proof of registration on First Nations reserve lands); most recent financial statements; written confirmation of other confirmed sources of funding, collaborators, partners and/or service providers (if applicable); training and mentorship activities must also include: a copy of the diploma, biography and/or curriculum vitae for each of the leading teaching staff; curriculum or training schedule; and proof of industry need for training and mentorship, for example, studies, surveying members, a letter of support.

The program reserves the right to request additional information and/or documentation during the assessment of your application. complete, sign and date the Application Form; attach all the required supporting documents listed in the Application Form; and submit your application package electronically to the following email address: creativeexportcanada-exportationcreativecanada@pch. gc.

ca Please note that the program cannot accept files submitted through a file hosting and sharing website. Your application package must be sent no later than 11:59 p. m.

Pacific time on the date of the application deadline for it to be considered. Not meeting the deadline will result in automatic rejection of your application. Application packages exceeding 16MB should be submitted through multiple emails identified accordingly (e.g., 1 of X).

Please write to creativeexportcanada-exportationcreativecanada@pch. gc. ca if you require assistance with opening the PDF form.

How applications are evaluated The program funds projects that have clear objectives and measurable results. Funding decisions are based on the number and quality of applications received for each application deadline. Your application will be evaluated based on the evaluation criteria below.

Once the assessment of the proposed project is complete, applicants will be informed of the status of their application. Failure to comply with any conditions of a previously funded project will be considered in the evaluation of your new application and could result in a rejection of your new application.

Your application will be evaluated based on the following criteria: the project’s potential to expand sales into international markets and/or develop international business networks for the recipient or project participants/third-parties; and the applicant’s demonstrated capacity to achieve the expected outcomes of the project through (can be a combination of) experience, expertise, collaborators, partners, or service providers.

Other factors could be taken into consideration in the evaluation of your application.

Special consideration may be given to applicants: located outside of the greater Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal regions; whose company/organization and/or proposed project supports or empowers Indigenous peoples; whose company/organization and/or proposed project supports or empowers members of equity-deserving communities; whose company/organization and/or proposed project supports or promotes environmental sustainability; or who have not previously received funding through Creative Export Canada.

Application processing time Please refer to the Service standards for Canadian Heritage funding programs . The program will acknowledge receipt of your application by email. It is your responsibility to contact the program if you have not received an acknowledgment receipt within two weeks of submitting your application.

Please note that decisions regarding eligibility and funding amounts are final. Previous funding does not guarantee continued support. Whether you are a first-time or returning applicant, the program considers all applications based on the information provided.

Funding will be disbursed as a grant or contribution. A grant is a payment issued to a recipient for a project. The conditions you agree to at the time of application will apply.

At the end of your project, you may be required to submit a report and/or participate in the evaluation of results. A contribution is a conditional payment issued to your company/organization for a specific purpose, as outlined in a funding agreement. The agreement is signed by the Department and your company/organization and specifies the terms and conditions to receive payment.

At the end of your project, you must submit a final report. You may be required to submit interim reports during your project, and you will be required to submit a final report at the end of the funding period. In this final report, you will be required to submit the results of your project three months after the project end date.

Failure to submit the required information by the deadline identified in your funding agreement could result in a rejection of your next application. Additional conditions may apply and, if applicable, will be included in your funding agreement. Anti-racism and anti-hate Canadian Heritage is committed to address systemic racism, promote diversity, and create environments where every individual is valued, respected, and empowered.

We strive to challenge discriminatory beliefs and practices, cultivate understanding and empathy, and champion policies and programs that advance equality for all.

Organizations receiving funding, including any representatives whether employees, consultants, or other persons directly affiliated with the organization, must take steps to ensure they respect the values underlying the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms , the Canadian Human Rights Act , and Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy .

The Government of Canada is strongly committed to promoting healthy workplaces where harassment, abuse and discrimination are not tolerated. Companies/organizations that receive funding from Canadian Heritage must take measures to create a workplace free from harassment, abuse and discrimination.

Official languages requirements The Department of Canadian Heritage is committed to taking positive measures to enhance the vitality of official-language minority communities and to promote the use of English and French in Canadian society. If you receive funding, you agree to comply with the official languages requirements set out in your application and in your funding agreement.

Acknowledgement of financial assistance If you receive funding, you must publicly acknowledge – in English and in French – the financial support received from the Government of Canada in all communications materials and promotional activities. Additional requirements may be included in your funding agreement. For additional information, please refer to our Guide on the public acknowledgement of financial support .

Access to information requests Creative Export Canada is subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act . The information you submit in your application may be disclosed in accordance with these acts.

Disclosure of information By submitting your funding application, you authorize Creative Export Canada to disclose any information submitted with this application within the Government of Canada or to outside entities for the following purposes: to evaluate the results of the project; and to support transparency, accountability and citizen engagement.

The program may choose to publish summaries of the results of the most successful projects on the Department's website to share creative industry export best practices. The Department will ensure that any public disclosure respects all requirements to protect personal information and third-party information. The case studies will not include any sensitive business information.

If a funded project's information will be used for a case study, the program will seek the recipient's permission to disclose non-personal information. Audits of recipients and evaluation of the program We reserve the right to audit your accounts and records to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of your funding agreement.

We also conduct periodic program evaluations, during which you may be required to present documentation. You must keep any records, documents, or other information that may be required to perform the audit or the evaluation for five years. Demonstrated failure to maintain such records may result in the repayment of amounts previously received.

For further information, please contact us: Department of Canadian Heritage creativeexportcanada-exportationcreativecanada@pch. gc. ca Please note that the program will respond to you within two business days.

1-866-811-0055 (toll-free) 1-888-997-3123 (for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired) Agents are available to answer your questions Monday to Friday, 8:30 a. m. to 4:30 p.

m. (Local time).

Regional offices of the Department of Canadian Heritage Artistic crafts include original artistic works and/or products, unique or in multiple copies, made by hand or with tools, or even mechanical means, as long as the direct manual contribution of the artisan remains the most substantial component of the finished product, that are defined as artistic, creative, cultural, decorative, traditional, or symbolic expressions, and that are related to the transformation of a raw material (wood, clay, or earth) and/or processed material (e.g., metals, leather, textile) Any completely factory-made production, or ready-to-assemble machined part sets, including production from molds that were not designed by craftsmen.

All aesthetic, body care, hair care, bath products, candles, perfumes, soaps and food products. An audited financial report includes a statement of operations for the given period with regard to the Project and is prepared by a certified accountant who is not part of your company/organization.

Audited financial statements A complete set of financial statements including a statement of financial position; a statement of operations; and a statement of changes in financial position. Audited financial statements are completed by a certified accountant who is not part of your company/organization. The certified accountant performs auditing activities in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.

Canadian control and ownership To be eligible, a company/organization must be majority owned and controlled by a Canadian.

For the Creative Export Canada program, "Canadian" means: a citizen within the meaning of the Citizenship Act who is ordinarily resident in Canada; a permanent resident within the meaning of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act ; a company/organization, a partnership, trust or joint venture in which a Canadian or permanent resident or any combination of Canadians and/or permanent residents beneficially owns and controls, directly or indirectly, interests representing in value at least 75% of the total value of the assets of the partnership, trust or joint venture, as the case may be.

The president or other presiding officer, and more than half of the directors or other similar officers are also Canadians or permanent residents; a not-for-profit organization in which 75% of its members are Canadians or permanent residents.

If at any time one or more persons who are not Canadian have any direct or indirect influence through a trust, an agreement, an arrangement or otherwise that, if exercised, would lead to a control in fact of the company/organization, the company/organization will no longer be recognized as Canadian-owned.

Canadian -owned and -controlled company/organization A "Canadian company/organization" is a company/organization that meets the following conditions: it is incorporated under the laws of Canada, a province or a territory; its place of business is based primarily in Canada; whose chairperson or presiding officer and at least 75% directors and other similar officers are Canadian citizens or permanent residents within the meaning of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act ; if a company/organization with share capital, of which Canadians beneficially own or control, other than by way of shares held only as security, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate at least 75% of all the issued and outstanding voting shares representing at least 75% of the paid-up capital; if a company/organization without shared capital, of which Canadians beneficially own or control, directly or indirectly, interests representing in value at least 75% of the total value of the assets.

A presentation of all anticipated revenues and planned expenses that will occur over the length of your project. At the beginning of your project, your cash flow will have only forecasted revenues and expenses. Over time, your cash flow will be updated to reflect the actual revenues and expenses.

Tangible or intangible content supporting at least one eligible creative industry that is featured in the product or service exported as part of the project submitted to the Creative Export Canada program. An example of tangible creative content is a handmade necklace (artistic craft) or a book in paper format (publishing).

An example of intangible creative content is a video game available on an online platform (interactive digital media) or a theatrical play (performing arts). For the purposes of the program, creative industries are: design (limited to exhibit, fashion, artistic products, public art and urban design); publishing (books and periodicals); interactive digital media (in combination with one of the industries listed above).

Environmental sustainability practices The Government of Canada's environmental protection strategies are driven by a vision of environmentally sustainable economic development. This vision depends on a clean, healthy environment and a strong, healthy economy that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Environmental considerations include, among other things: the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and air contaminants; improved energy and water efficiency; reduced waste and support reuse and recycling; the use of renewable resources; reduced hazardous waste; reduced toxic and hazardous substances; and biodiversity.

Equity-deserving communities A group of people who, because of systemic discrimination, face barriers that prevent them from having the same access to the resources and opportunities that are available to other members of society, and that are necessary for them to attain just outcomes.

Under the Creative Export Canada program, groups considered to be equity-deserving groups include women, racialized communities, 2SLGTBQ2+, persons with disabilities and official language minority communities. A final report will be submitted at the end of your project based on the requirements in the funding agreement. Your final report needs to provide the results of the activities you have undertaken for the duration of your project.

A complete set of financial statements, including a statement of financial position; a statement of operations; and a statement of changes in financial position. Financial statements may be audited or unaudited. A fiscal year is the financial 52-week period of a company/organization for accounting purposes.

The fiscal year of the Government of Canada is April 1 to March 31. Indigenous communities are First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. Interim reports are submitted during your project based on the requirements in the funding agreement.

These reports will indicate the results of the activities undertaken for a specific period. In addition, they will include a status on the work to be accomplished and updated revenue and expense reports. Content that is fully developed and ready for sales.

Agency that focuses on promoting, communicating, and advertising their client's offers, products and services.

Projects that, in our opinion, contain or promote any of the following: material that is hate propaganda, obscene or child pornography, or any other illegal material, as defined in the Criminal Code; pornography or other material having significant sexual content unless it can be demonstrated that there is an overriding educational or other similar purpose; material that contains excessive or gratuitous violence; material that is denigrating to an identifiable group; and any other similarly offensive material.

Official-language minority communities The official-language minority communities are the Anglophone communities residing in Quebec and the Francophone communities residing outside of Quebec. Agency that works with clients from a diversity of sectors in order to develop and manage specialized communication actions that influence public opinion in order to build a reputation, direct or build the client’s public image.

Public relations are a set of specialized communication activities with the intention of directing the public image of an organization or a company. A person's own assertion of belonging to a certain group or category of people.