Alberta Export Expansion Program

Funding

Eligible companies will be reimbursed in the form of a grant that may range from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $25,000 per year for a select range of approved activities and expenses.

Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until the annual program budget has been spent.

Applicants may apply for and receive funding from other sources, but the total level of government assistance (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal) cannot exceed 50% (for-profit applicants) of the total eligible expenses.

Applicants must disclose all sources of funding for a proposed project, both in their application, and in the travel report following the completion of the approved activities.

The program does not pay applicants in advance of carrying out their activity. Payment is issued once the project is complete and the company or organization submits a copy of all invoices, receipts and a travel report through the application portal.

Eligible entities

Non-profits

Alberta non-profits promoting sales of products and services in a new international export markets are eligible for funding under the program.

To be eligible for funding, an organization must:

• have a minimum of one full-time employee in Alberta
• be a recognized legal entity for a minimum of one year
• have a permanent establishment in Alberta
• must fully complete the application form

Eligible non-profits include, but are not limited to:

• municipalities
• First Nations or Metis Settlements
• economic development organizations
• industry associations
• tertiary education and technology institutes

For-profits

Alberta SMEs promoting sales of products and services in a new international export market are eligible for the program.

Businesses expanding sales within international markets where they already have a well-established presence are not eligible for funding.

To be eligible for funding, a for-profit applicant must:

• have annual sales of $50,000 to $25 million
• have a minimum of one full-time employee in Alberta
• employ fewer than 500 full-time equivalent employees
• be an incorporated legal entity in Alberta
• be operating and have a permanent establishment in Alberta
• must fully complete the application form
• present an adequate market entry plan

Eligible sectors

Alberta SMEs from all sectors are eligible to apply for AEEP support. However, priority may be given to SMEs operating in the following sectors:

• manufacturing
  • general manufacturing and materials
  • infrastructure and construction
• agriculture and nutrition
  • agricultural products and agri-food
  • value-add and natural health products
  • precision agriculture
• energy and mining
  • oil and gas products, services, and technology (upstream, midstream, downstream)
  • petrochemicals
  • renewable and alternative energy
  • electrical power industry
  • mining and metals
• environment
  • environmental products
  • forestry
• technology
  • aerospace and defense
  • life sciences and health technology
  • clean technology
  • bio-industrial technology
  • information and communication technology
  • logistics
  • quantum science
  • artificial intelligence
  • virtual reality
• culture
  • film and television
  • music recording companies
  • publishing companies
  • software and interactive digital media companies
  • tourism
  • other cultural industries

There are also special considerations for the following:

Tourism companies

Companies in the tourism sector are eligible for outbound travel applications only if the company is participating officially as part of a coordinated mission that is led by the Alberta government, or an arm's length organization such as Travel Alberta, Destination Canada, or the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada.

Technology start-ups

Companies focused on emerging technology may have reduced application requirements. The requirement of $50,000 in annual sales in the prior year may be waived. Program staff will consult with subject matter experts within the Government of Alberta and these applications will be considered on a project-by-project basis. Contact the program ahead of submitting an application.

Technology start-ups are encouraged to contact the program prior to submitting an application.

Eligible activities

Note: All expense maximums are in Canadian currency and must be fully paid by the applying applicant.

The applicant must pay for all eligible expenses up front before seeking reimbursement.

Once a receipt has been submitted for reimbursement, it cannot be submitted again as part of another claim.

Eligible expenses may be capped. Caps are reviewed on a regular basis and may be subject to change.

Outbound travel

To be an eligible traveller, the individual must be an Alberta-based employee or representative (not including contractors). The reason for travel must also be export related.

Funded activities must aim to promote international business development, new initiatives, and provide an opportunity to yield concrete results.

A maximum of 2 Alberta-based employees or representatives per activity are eligible for funding.

Projects related to attending and participating in trade shows, trade missions, meeting with potential clients, demonstrating and marketing product(s), preparing and growing export sales may be eligible.

Projects primarily focused on finding buyers, personal travel, investment and educational purposes, or without a prototype or product are ineligible.

Eligible outbound travel expenses

The following expenses are eligible for funding:

• accommodation in a standard room (or equivalent) up to $300 per person, per night
• return economy airfare with allowance for the first single piece of checked personal luggage and one carry-on
• economy intercity train fares and economy intercity bus fares
• registration for participation at select tradeshows and events
• translation of marketing materials

Upgrading an economy airfare ticket is eligible but an economy class receipt is required for full funding.

Incoming delegations

To be an eligible traveller, the individual must be travelling from outside of Canada and must not be Canada-based.

Funded activities must aim to promote international business development, new initiatives, and provide an opportunity to yield concrete results. A maximum of 10 foreign-based representatives per activity are eligible for funding.

Eligible incoming delegation expenses

The applicant must pay for all eligible expenses in order to be reimbursed, this includes:

• accommodation in a standard room (or equivalent) up to $300 per person, per night
• conference room space up to $750 per day
• return economy airfare with allowance for the first single piece of checked personal luggage and one carry-on
• ground transportation to and from airport as well as economy intercity bus fares
• registration for participation at select tradeshows and events
• translation of marketing materials and interpretive services

Upgrading an economy airfare ticket is eligible but an economy class receipt is required for full funding.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted no less than 6 weeks before the start of the first activity.

Applications received less than 6 weeks before the start of the first activity may be automatically ineligible.

All applications must be submitted through the application portal.

Step 1. Read the guidelines

Alberta Export Expansion Program guidelines

Step 2. Create a user profile and log in to the application portal

Log in to the application portal

When logging into the application portal for the first time, applicants will be prompted to create an Alberta.ca Account with a secure login name and password.

Once the account has been created, applicants will gain access to the application portal, which hosts live application forms and templates available for submission.

To check the status of a previously submitted application, log in to your user account.

Step 3. Fill out and submit your application

To apply for grant funding, fill out and submit the application in the application portal.

Applicants are required to upload supporting documentation as part of their application, including:

• a market entry plan
• any additional documents the organization may want to include to describe their project (for example: itinerary, contacts, certificates for technology, and support for estimated costs related to eligible expenses)

Note:

• A separate application must be submitted for each project/activity. An applicant may submit multiple applications at any given time.
• The Government of Alberta may request additional documents, including but not limited to financial statements, to verify information provided in the application.

Step 4. Sign and return the grant agreement

If the application is approved, successful applicants will receive a grant agreement that sets out :

• the approved activities and their associated costs
• the responsibilities and legal obligations of the Government of Alberta and the applicant

The grant agreement must be reviewed and signed by an authorized officer of the applicant, and then returned by mail to the program office within 14 days of being received.

Applicants must send the agreement using a traceable method. Once received, the Government of Alberta will sign the grant agreement and provide the applicant with a final copy for their records.

If the signed grant agreement is not returned to the Government of Alberta in a timely manner, the application may be cancelled, and the applicant may not be eligible to claim any expenses.

After you apply

Evaluation and notification

You can log into your Alberta.ca Account at any time to view your application, including information on application status, next steps and additional requirements.

Changes to a project

If changes to the project occur prior to the end of travel, you must notify the Government of Alberta by email at [email protected] as changes may require an amended grant agreement.

Note: Changes may not be approved and could result in those expenses not being eligible.

Reimbursement

To receive final payment the applicant must:

• complete the project in accordance with the program terms, approved application and grant agreement
• complete and submit the following documentation through the application portal:
  • Expense Claim
  • Travel Report
  • a copy of all invoices and receipts relating to the approved activities

The travel report must detail the activities and outcomes of the project, measured against the approved activities and project objectives.

If the receipts for the expense claim are not in English, a description of the expenses must also be included and these may be verified with the associated vendors.

When using a foreign currency, provide a credit card statement with the exchange rate used or a copy of the website page used to calculate the exchange rate. If using the exchange rate from a website, the dates used must be within the timeframe of the activity.

Once the report and invoices are received, audited and approved, the applicant will be reimbursed for the expenses. If an applicant fails to meet the above reporting requirements, the applicant may not be reimbursed for its expenses.

Completed claims will be processed within approximately 6 weeks of receipt.

Reporting

Successful applicants will be required to submit a one-time annual report one year after project completion. This is an obligation under a signed grant agreement and will be used to evaluate the project’s impact.

Contact

Government of Alberta staff are available to discuss your application or answer any questions you may have.

Connect with a program advisor:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Email: [email protected]