Export Market Access Program (EMAP)
You can get up to 65% of eligible costs back (max $15,000) for export digital marketing and market research. You must pay all costs upfront, and LearnSphere pays you back after the project is complete and your claim is accepted.
“For the minimum project size of $5,000, the reimbursement would equal $3,250 ; for a project of $27,033 or greater, the maximum reimbursement would be $15,000.”
From the official program page
Before you spend any money
Approval must come BEFORE spending; costs incurred before approval are not eligible.
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 PEI-based SME with a CRA Business Number that is currently exporting or planning to start.
- You need support for digital export activities such as SEO, paid online ads, e-commerce integration, or market research.
- You have the cash flow to pay 100% of project costs upfront and can wait for reimbursement after completion.
Probably not the right fit if
- You operate in retail, wholesale, real estate, government services, personal/social services, or softwood lumber.
- You are a professional service firm like a marketing agency or coach, unless your project offers a unique strategic benefit to Atlantic Canada.
- You have already incurred costs or made financial commitments before submitting your application.
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
Illustration using this program's published rate and cap; amounts and eligibility are decided by the program.
Up to $15,000 total contribution, covering 65% of eligible costs (minimum project cost $5,000).
What may be supported
- Market research or export plan development.
- Lead generation activities and sales process mapping.
- SEO and paid online advertising campaigns.
- Integration of e-commerce functionality.
- Social media strategy and video production for export markets.
- Translation services for export materials.
- Training or coaching on the above activities.
What's excluded or restricted
- Costs associated with participating in a trade show
- Printing of brochures
- Production of trade show booth
- HST (Harmonized Sales Tax)
- Consultant travel fees
- Trade show attendance fees
- Work performed by employees (except for managing online advertising campaigns where the 'consultant' is the platform like Google/Facebook)
- Financial commitments made or costs incurred prior to application submission
- Projects that do not demonstrate how the activity will lead to increased sales outside of Canada
- Projects that are continuations of previous projects (for second applications)
How applying works
Effort: moderateYou must prepare a detailed application with consultant proposals, wait for approval, manage the project execution, and submit a claim for reimbursement.
- 01Complete the online application form at the LearnSphere portal.
- 02Attach consultant proposals and supporting documents demonstrating how the activity leads to increased sales outside Canada.
- 03Wait for the evaluation outcome (usually within two weeks).
- 04If approved, sign a contract with LearnSphere.
- 05Select arm's length consultants and execute the project within six months.
- 06Submit a claim after project completion to receive reimbursement.
Who to ask: Sally Marchand, Project Manager or Carolyne Mongrain, Project Coordinator at LearnSphere. Phone: 1 877 644 2267. Email/Contact page: https://learnsphere.ca/contact
Documents commonly required
- Completed online application form.
- Consultant proposal(s) detailing the work and costs.
- Proof of CRA Business Number.
- Evidence of current export activity or plan to start exporting.
- Supporting documents for the project scope and budget.
What to know before you count on it
- You must cash flow 100% of the project costs upfront and wait for reimbursement after the project is completed and claimed.
- The program excludes trade show costs, printing, booth production, HST, and consultant travel fees.
- You are limited to two projects per program phase; a second project must show progressive activity, not just continue the first.
- Work performed by your own employees is generally ineligible, except for managing online ad campaigns on platforms like Google or Facebook.
What are your odds?
Approval depends on demonstrating how the activity leads to increased sales outside Canada; evaluation usually takes two weeks.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use this funding for trade shows?
No. Costs associated with participating in trade shows, printing brochures, or producing booths are explicitly excluded.
Do I need to pay the consultant before getting the money?
Yes. You must cash flow 100% of the costs. LearnSphere reimburses you only after the project is completed and the claim is accepted.
Can I apply if I am a marketing agency?
Generally no, unless the project represents a unique or strategic opportunity with potential economic benefit to Atlantic Canada.
How long do I have to complete the project?
Projects must be completed within a six-month period.
More funding by what it pays for
What you can combine it with
Check if you can combine this with other federal or provincial export supports, but ensure costs are not double-funded.
Related programs
E-tools for Exporting
Up to $15,000
This cost-share program helps PEI SMEs cover eligible expenses for export market development activities like SEO, paid advertising, and e-commerce…
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Export Enhancement and Diversification Fund
Up to $32,000
Innovation PEI pays part of the cost of export activities such as trade shows and market research.
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Small Business Assistance
Up to $2,500
This Innovation PEI grant helps PEI micro-businesses pay for expert help with plans, such as business or marketing plans.
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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.
Page last updated ; status and deadline checked . Source: official program page.