Export Development Program
Get back up to $15,000 of export costs such as travel and consulting, or up to $25,000 if you qualify in a priority sector. You must pay for these expenses first and claim the money later. Applications are open.
“NEW in 2026-27 : Eligible companies in Nova Scotia’s six priority sectors, with more than $100,000 in revenue and activity entering new export markets, may qualify for an additional $10,000, for a total maximum contribution of $25,000 CAD.”
From the official program page
Before you spend any money
You must complete your project between July 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027, and submit your application by March 10, 2027, at 3:00 PM.
At a glance
Subject to program rules, available funding, and approval. Confirm current details with the official program administrator.
Is this for you?
- You are a business registered and operating in Nova Scotia.
- You have finished products or services ready to sell outside the province.
- You have a clear plan to target specific new export markets.
Probably not the right fit if
- You are not registered in good standing with the Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stock Companies.
- You have outstanding legal judgments or defaults on other provincial financial programs.
- Your export activities will not happen between July 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027.
How much you'd realistically get
Up to $15,000 per fiscal year for most businesses, or up to $25,000 if you are in one of the six priority sectors with over $100,000 in revenue and are entering new export markets.
What may be supported
- Travel to markets outside Nova Scotia to visit clients, partners, or suppliers.
- Participation in trade shows or conferences outside Nova Scotia.
- Hosting first-time visits from international clients or investors to your Nova Scotia facilities.
- Hiring consultants to help sell products or services outside Nova Scotia.
- Services to improve competitiveness, such as market research, re-branding, or developing promotional materials for export.
What's excluded or restricted
- Projects not completed between July 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027.
- Applications submitted after March 10, 2027, at 3:00 PM.
- Businesses not registered in good standing in Nova Scotia.
- Businesses without a permanent establishment in Nova Scotia.
- Businesses where the majority of the workforce does not reside in Nova Scotia (unless exceptions are approved).
- Businesses not engaged in or having imminent plans for commercial activities outside Nova Scotia with fully developed exportable products/services/tech/IP.
- Businesses lacking a business plan and export strategy outlining target markets, distribution channels, and challenges.
- Businesses with outstanding or pending claims, litigation, injunctions, judgments, orders, legal or administrative actions, or similar proceedings (unless exceptions are approved).
- Businesses, principals, or related businesses in default of obligations under other financial assistance/incentive programs from Invest Nova Scotia, the Province of Nova Scotia, or provincial agencies (including the Credit Union Small Business Loan Guarantee Program).
- Businesses where related entities are already receiving funding (limited to one business per entity group at Invest Nova Scotia’s discretion).
How applying works
Effort: moderateYou need a solid export strategy and business plan before applying, plus you must manage the upfront costs and track expenses for the claim.
- 01Read the Export Development Program Guidelines and FAQ on the Invest Nova Scotia website.
- 02Ensure you have your Invest Nova Scotia Customer Number; contact your Regional Business Development Advisor if you do not have one.
- 03Select the appropriate online application form for Stream 1 (Travel/Trade Shows) or Stream 2 (Consultants/Services).
- 04Complete the online form using two-step identity verification (Customer Number, email code).
- 05Submit the application before the March 10, 2027, deadline.
- 06After completing your project between July 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027, submit a claim using the 'Submit Claim' form.
Who to ask: Contact your Regional Business Development Advisor, or use the Contact Us page at investnovascotia.ca/contact.
Documents commonly required
- A business plan and export strategy outlining target markets, distribution channels, and challenges.
- Proof of Nova Scotia registration in good standing.
- Evidence of fully developed exportable products, services, or technology.
- Invest Nova Scotia Customer Number.
What to know before you count on it
- This is a reimbursement model: you pay for the travel or consultant first, then submit a claim after the project is done.
- The official page does not list the cost-share percentage. Ask Invest Nova Scotia before you apply.
- You must have no pending legal actions or defaults on other provincial incentives to qualify.
- Funding is limited to one business per related entity group at Invest Nova Scotia's discretion.
What are your odds?
Approval depends on having a fully developed exportable product and a strategy that satisfies Invest Nova Scotia; it is not automatic.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need approval before I spend the money?
The official page does not say whether you need approval before you spend. You submit a claim after the project. Ask Invest Nova Scotia before you spend, so you do not risk losing the reimbursement.
What is the exact percentage of costs covered?
The official page gives only the maximum amounts: up to $15,000 per fiscal year, or up to $25,000 for eligible companies in the six priority sectors.
Can I apply if I am in a priority sector?
Yes, if you are in one of the six priority sectors, have over $100,000 in revenue, and are entering new export markets, you may qualify for an additional $10,000, bringing the total maximum to $25,000.
More funding by what it pays for
What you can combine it with
You cannot be in default of other provincial financial assistance programs, including the Credit Union Small Business Loan Guarantee Program.
Worth reading before you apply
Get alerted when this changes
Programs open and close, budgets run out, rules change. We send one short email when something changes that matters for this program.
Page last updated ; status and deadline checked . Source: official program page.