The Creative Export Canada (CEC) is a government funding program to support projects that generate export revenues and help Canadian Creative Industries reach more people around the world.
The CEC program provides funding to help Canadian creative works achieve financial success abroad. CEC aims to heighten exposure of Canadian creative works in international markets and to increase export profitability for Canada’s creative industries.
As part of the renewal of the Creative Export Strategy, the CEC program’s funding has been increased by $4 million per year. Its total funding is now $33 million for 3 years ($11 million per year). This funding vehicle will be divided into 2 funding streams – the Export-Ready Stream and the new Export Development Stream.
Export-Ready Stream
The Export-Ready Stream, formerly known as CEC, will provide $7 million in funding per year to support export-ready projects that ensure Canadian creative industries reach more people globally and generate export revenues. Some important new details to note include:
- Project expenses must start between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024;
- Funding may be requested for projects spanning up to 24 months but ending no later than March 31, 2025;
- Projects that fall under the new creative industry of artistic craft are now eligible for funding; and
- Evaluation criteria now include the empowerment of the creative works of Indigenous communities and/or equity-deserving community members, as well as support provided to promote environmental sustainability practices.
Applicant Eligibility
To be eligible for funding, an organization must meet all the following requirements:
- be incorporated under the laws of Canada, a province, or a territory;
- be a for-profit company or not-for-profit organization;
- be Canadian owned and controlled;
- have a maximum of $500 million in annual revenues; and
- have a minimum of 1 full-time salaried employee.
Export Development Stream
The Export Development Stream (EDS) supports new and early-stage exporters as they build capacity and expand into international markets. EDS also offers funding for seasoned exporters who want to break into new markets. The EDS program provides $4 million in funding per year.
Due to the high competition, only a few projects are funded each year.
Applicant Eligibility
To be eligible for funding, a company/organization must meet all the following requirements:
- be incorporated under the laws of Canada, a province, or a territory;
- be a for-profit company or not-for-profit organization;
- be Canadian owned;
- have a maximum of $10 million in annual revenues in the current or previous fiscal year; and
- have a minimum of 1 full-time employee.
Application Deadlines
The period for submitting a funding application for projects with expenses starting between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, is now closed.
The next intake for both streams will be in the winter of 2024 (deadline dates to be confirmed), for projects with expenses starting between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025.
Access More Export Grants
In the CanExport SMEs funding program, a portion of eligible export expansion activities may be covered by government grants, especially in high-growth sectors and markets. Successful applicants can receive up to 50% of their costs per application to a maximum of $50,000.
Our Business Expansion and Exporting Funding Directory provides a complete list of active government grants, loans, and tax credits available to businesses. Stay up to date on Exporting Global Trends to maximize your funding potential.
Learn more about how you can create your export plan and how funding can help offset a portion of those costs by downloading our free Accessing Grants for Export Activities slide deck.