The CanExport SMEs program has opened its application window for the 2026 to 2027 funding year. The program is run by Canada's Trade Commissioner Service and is designed to support small and medium sized enterprises expanding into new international markets by sharing costs tied to export development activities.
Applications will be accepted from 12:00 pm Eastern Time on February 4, 2026, until 12:00 pm Eastern Time on May 29, 2026.
Cannabis operators can apply too
For cannabis companies, the eligibility framework remains narrow and clearly defined. The program outright states that it does not fund projects involving recreational cannabis, tobacco, vaping products, or other substance inhalation industries.
However, projects involving medical cannabis are treated differently. Medical cannabis applicants must clearly demonstrate how their products or services are intended strictly for medical use. This includes positioning, end use, regulatory status, and commercial application in the target market.
Applicants must also show compliance with Government of Canada policies, meaning alignment with federal cannabis regulations, export controls, and international trade obligations. Medical designation alone is not sufficient without documentation, regulatory clarity, and market specificity.
The CanExport SMEs program supports cost sharing for activities such as international market research, participation in trade events, business development travel, and engagement with foreign partners. Cannabis companies pursuing medical channels must ensure that every funded activity maps cleanly to a medical use case and can withstand administrative scrutiny.
