Export Funding NB
Get reimbursed for up to 65% of eligible export costs, capped at $15,000. You must pay 100% upfront and get approval before spending, so plan your cash flow carefully.
“For the minimum project size of $5,000, the reimbursement would equal $3,250; for a project of $23,076.92 or greater, the maximum reimbursement would be $15,000.”
From the official program page
Before you spend a dollar
Approval must come BEFORE you spend: costs incurred before approval are not eligible, and the project must be completed within six months of approval.
At a glance
Subject to program rules, available funding, and approval. Confirm current details with the official program administrator.
Not sure if you qualify?
Get a free, 2-minute read on whether this program fits your business. No obligation.
Check your fit →Is this for you?
- You are a New Brunswick SME with a CRA business number that is exporting or planning to export.
- You have shown growth in revenue, profit, or workforce over the past two years.
- You need funding for incremental export activities like market research, lead generation, or export-focused digital marketing.
Probably not the right fit if
- You are in retail, wholesale, real estate, government services, personal or social services, or softwood lumber.
- You have already incurred costs or made financial commitments before submitting your application.
- Your total project cost is under $5,000, which is the minimum required to qualify.
How much you'd realistically get
For example, an export-ready website with translated marketing:
Project cost
$23,000
Program pays
$14,950
You pay
$8,050
That's work we build. Price my project like this →
Illustration using this program's published rate and cap; amounts and eligibility are decided by the program.
You can receive between $3,250 and $15,000, covering up to 65% of eligible costs.
What may be supported
- Market research or export plan development
- Lead generation activities
- Export focused website additions
- Integration of e-commerce functionality & AI Tools
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Paid online advertising campaign
- Social media strategy
- Videos
- Translation
What's excluded or restricted
- Maintenance Fees
- Web hosting Fees
- Travel for consultants or applicants
- Costs associated with participating in a trade show
- Printing of brochures
- Production of trade show booth
- HST (Harmonized Sales Tax)
- Financial commitments made prior to submission (costs incurred before approval are not eligible)
- Work done by employees (except for managing online advertising campaigns where the consultant is Google/Facebook etc.)
- Activities that do not go beyond core activities or represent new initiatives (must be incremental)
How applying works
Effort: moderateYou must prepare a detailed application with consultant proposals, wait for evaluation (usually two weeks), sign a contract, execute the project within six months, and submit a claim for reimbursement.
- 01Complete the online application form demonstrating compliance with objectives and guidelines.
- 02Attach consultant proposal(s) and other supporting documents.
- 03Wait for evaluation outcome (usually within two weeks).
- 04If approved, sign a contract with LearnSphere.
- 05Select arm's length consultant(s) and execute the project within six months.
- 06Submit a claim after the project is finished to receive reimbursement.
Who to ask: Sally Marchand, Project Manager at LearnSphere (Contact page: https://learnsphere.ca/contact; Phone: 1 877 644 2267)
Before you apply
Your application will likely need written quotes
Programs like this usually ask for written estimates for the work before they approve anything, and some require as many as three. BBN Labs works with you on this: we prepare a quote for the work this program funds — scope, costs and timelines you can put straight into your application. Free, no obligation.
Get my quote for this program →Documents commonly required
- Online application form
- Consultant proposal(s)
- Supporting documents demonstrating growth and export potential
- Signed contract with LearnSphere (after approval)
How BBN Labs helps
- BBN builds your export-ready website and e-commerce store, adding the international features and AI tools this grant funds to capture global buyers.
- BBN runs your SEO and paid ad campaigns, targeting the new markets you want so you generate qualified leads and drive traffic to your storefront.
- BBN builds the lead-generation landing pages and forms this grant funds, capturing and qualifying international buyer inquiries straight from your campaigns.
- BBN produces your export marketing videos and manages your social media presence, creating the content that builds trust with buyers in new markets.
What to know before you count on it
- You must cash flow 100% of the costs upfront and wait for reimbursement after project completion.
- The grant portion is generally taxable income; ask your accountant how this affects your tax filing.
- Professional services firms are generally ineligible unless the project represents a unique strategic opportunity with economic benefit to New Brunswick.
- Consultants must be at arm's length to your company and charge fair market value.
What are your odds?
If you qualify and apply before the budget runs out, approval is likely, but the real risks are starting too early, an incomplete application, or the budget being committed.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim costs I already spent on market research?
No. Financial commitments made prior to submission are not eligible. You must get approval before spending.
Is the reimbursement tax-free?
The reimbursed grant portion is generally taxable income. Ask your accountant for specific advice.
Can I hire my own employees to do the work?
Work done by employees is generally excluded, except for managing online advertising campaigns where the consultant is Google/Facebook etc.
How long do I have to complete the project?
Projects must be completed within a six-month period after approval.
Related BBN services
Business Websites
Fast, search-ready websites your customers can actually use. Built, hosted and maintained by one accountable team.
E-commerce & Online Catalogues
Online stores and product catalogues that sell. Shopify, WooCommerce or custom, with payments, shipping and training.
Digital Menu Boards & Signage Systems
Managed menu screens with cloud updates, breakfast-to-dinner scheduling and a design service. A bare TV on the wall does none of that.
Loyalty Programs & CRM
Know your customers and bring them back: databases, loyalty mechanics, email/SMS and gift cards that fit your counter.
What you can combine it with
Confirm on the official page if this can be stacked with other federal or provincial export grants.
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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.
Record last updated ; last verified today with the official source. Source: official program page.