Application Guidelines — Export-Ready Stream

Creative Export Canada

On this page

• Objectives and expected results for the Export-Ready Stream
• Application deadline
• Who can apply
• Ineligible entities
• Reserved Funding
• Eligibility
• Eligible projects
• Eligible expenses
• Ineligible expenses
• Limits of government assistance
• Applying for more than 12 months
• How to apply
• Application process
• How applications are evaluated
• Evaluation criteria
• Application processing time
• Funding decisions
• How funding is provided
• Funding conditions
• Anti-racism and anti-hate
• Workplace well-being
• Official languages requirements
• Acknowledgement of financial assistance
• Access to information requests
• Disclosure of information
• Audits of recipients and evaluation of the program
• Contact us
• Glossary

Objectives and expected results for the Export-Ready Stream

The Export-Ready Stream of the Creative Export Canada program offers funding for projects that are expected to generate export revenues and help Canadian creative industries reach more people around the world.

Ultimately, the Creative Export Canada program aims to increase export profitability for Canada’s creative industries.

Application deadline

The application deadline is May 29, 2024 for projects with expenses starting between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025.

Who can apply

To be eligible for funding, a company/organization must:

• be incorporated under the laws of Canada, a province or a territory:
  • companies/organizations that are not incorporated because they are registered on First Nations reserve lands may write to the program at creativeexportcanada-exportationcreativecanada@pch.gc.ca to submit proof of their registration.
• be a for-profit company or not-for-profit organization;
• be Canadian-owned and -controlled;
• have a maximum of $500M in annual revenues; and
• have a minimum of one full-time employee (who receives a salary and works a minimum of 30 hours a week);
• own the intellectual property rights for content, or if the project involves content with a third party’s intellectual property, own the rights of usage for the markets targeted by the project.

Ineligible entities

Ineligible entities include:

• individuals;
• other financial support programs or funds, either public or private;
• public relations agencies or marketing agencies;
• entities or subsidiaries of a parent company with more than $500 million in annual revenues in their most recent fiscal year;
• recipients who have received three or more years of Creative Export Canada funding in the last five years (from 2020-2021 to 2024-2025), including entities or subsidiaries of a parent company.

Reserved Funding

A percentage of the Export-Ready Stream’s funding will be reserved for companies/organizations where at least 50% of the owners and/or board members self-identify as Indigenous peoples and/or members of equity-deserving communities. As such, the program encourages applicants from these communities to self-identify through the voluntary self-identification questionnaire to be eligible for this reserved funding. Only those who submit the completed voluntary self-identification questionnaire will be considered for this reserved funding.

Eligibility

The program is responsible for determining the eligibility of each applicant, its project and project-related expenses. If you are in doubt about the eligibility of your company/organization or project, please contact the program for clarification.

The Export-Ready Stream is extremely competitive. Requests for funding highly exceed the program’s annual budget. Therefore, submitting an eligible application does not guarantee funding.

Eligible projects

To be eligible for funding, your project must:

• be export-ready at the project start date (content is ready to be marketed, export research/plan is fully developed):
  • the applicant must hold the intellectual property rights for content;
  • if the project involves content with a third party's intellectual property, the applicant must demonstrate that they have secured the rights of usage for the market(s) targeted by the project.
• expect to generate new export revenues;
• export content that is from one or more of the following creative industries:
  • artistic craft;
  • audiovisual;
  • design (limited to exhibit, fashion, artistic product, public art, urban);
  • music;
  • performing arts;
  • publishing (books and periodicals);
  • visual art;
  • interactive digital media (in combination with at least one of the industries listed above).
• have a minimum total cost of $150,000;
• be funded at a minimum of 25% by private sources (which can include applicant’s own contribution).

Projects that, in the opinion of the Department of Canadian Heritage, involve offensive content are not eligible.

A project that only consists of travel to events or business meetings is unlikely to be competitive in this process.

Eligible expenses

Only project-related cash expenses are eligible; these may include:

• development costs and/or acquisition of digital or other technologies;
• professional services or the portion of employees' salaries directly related to the project;
• travel-related expenses, which must be directly related to the project and must not exceed the rates permitted for travel on government business, in accordance with the National Joint Council Travel Directive;
• marketing expenses;
• project-related administrative costs (e.g. general office supplies, mailing, and cloud storage costs), limited to a maximum of 15% of the total amount of funding requested from the ERS;
• project-related translation and interpretation expenses, limited to a maximum of 10% of the total amount of funding requested from the ERS.

Applicants must be able to provide supporting documentation if requested.

Ineligible expenses

Ineligible expenses include:

• ongoing operating expenditures (such as salaries or wages not directly related to the project, routine or recurring activities, ongoing overhead expenditures (e.g. rent, insurance, utilities, etc.);
• capital expenses related to applicant’s ongoing operating activities (e.g. computer or equipment purchase, etc.);
• content creation and development;
• production of creative content destined for export (e.g., printing copies of books, manufacturing fashion items, manufacturing video games for consoles);
• hospitality and related expenses (e.g. meals and beverages served at an event, catering fees);
• contingency funds;
• in-kind expenses;
• prizes, gifts and giveaways (pencil, mug, bag, t-shirt, trial version, etc.);
• costs related to the preparation of a business plan, export plan or documentation needed to present an application under the Export-Ready Stream;
• creative content not related to one of the eligible creative industries;
• expenses relating to lobbying, public relations, policy development and influence;
• Government led trade mission travel expenses.

If you incur expenses for your project as of April 1, 2024, before receiving written confirmation of your funding approval, you will be doing so at your own risk.

Limits of government assistance

To ensure the success of your project, you are required to have other funding sources. This may include financial contributions from your company/organization, the private sector or other levels of government. Proof of support and partnerships are required.

The total financial assistance received from the Export-Ready Stream and other levels of government (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal) cannot exceed 75% for the same, eligible project-related costs. Due to the program’s extremely competitive nature, funded projects will likely receive less than 75% of total eligible project costs. The program can fund up to a maximum of $2.5 million per application.

You can submit only one application per deadline, including entities or subsidiaries of a parent company.

Applying for more than 12 months

You may request funding for a project spanning up to 24 months, but ending no later than March 31, 2026. You must then show that there is a need for a multi-year commitment and that you have the capacity to complete the project. This is demonstrated with a realistic project timeline and budget projections as well as sound governance and continued financial viability.

How to apply

Please read the Application Guidelines in their entirety before completing your application.

You must meet all eligibility requirements and submit a complete application package to be considered for funding. Failure to do so will result in an automatic rejection (to be fair and equitable to all applicants).

An organization/company may submit only one application per deadline, including entities or subsidiaries of a parent company.

A complete application package includes:

• completed, dated and signed Application Form;
• project budget;
• export plan (limit of 50 pages) per the requirements outlined in the Application Form;
• incorporation documents (companies/organizations that are not incorporated because they are registered on First Nations reserve lands may write to the program at creativeexportcanada-exportationcreativecanada@pch.gc.ca to submit proof of their registration);
• most recent financial statements (two previous fiscal years);
• written confirmation of other sources of funding and/or partnerships, if applicable.

Application process

• complete, sign and date the Application Form;
• attach all the required supporting documents listed in the Part F of the Application Form; and
• submit your application package electronically to the following email address:
  creativeexportcanada-exportationcreativecanada@pch.gc.ca.

Please note that the program cannot accept files submitted through a file hosting and sharing website.

Your application package must be sent no later than 11:59 p.m. Pacific time on the date of the application deadline (May 29, 2024) for it to be considered. Not meeting the deadline will result in automatic rejection of your application.

Application packages exceeding 16MB should be submitted through multiple emails identified accordingly (e.g., 1 of X).

Please write to creativeexportcanada-exportationcreativecanada@pch.gc.ca if you require assistance with opening the PDF form.

How applications are evaluated

An internal Review Committee will assess applications based on the Evaluation criteria below. Consultations may be undertaken with other federal departments or agencies.

The competitive process will identify the projects that most strongly contribute to the program’s objective of generating export revenues and a return on the program’s contribution.

Once the assessment of the proposed project is complete, applicants will be informed of the status of their application.

Evaluation criteria

Your application will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• the project’s viability and potential to generate export revenue (as detailed in the export plan);
• the project’s ability to generate a return on the program’s contribution;
• the impact on Canadian creative industries;
• the project’s growth potential (capacity to expand or be replicated in other international markets);
• innovation involved in the project;
• strategic collaborations/partnerships that strengthen the project;
• the applicant’s demonstrated need for funding;
• the level of commitment provided by the company/organization and/or the project to empower and/or promote the creative works of Indigenous peoples and/or members of equity-deserving communities;
• the support provided by the company/organization and/or the project to promote environmental sustainability practices.

Application processing time

Please refer to the Service standards for Canadian Heritage funding programs.

The program will acknowledge receipt of your application by email. It is your responsibility to contact the program if you have not received an acknowledgment receipt within two weeks of submitting your application.

Funding decisions

Please note that decisions regarding eligibility and funding amounts are final.

How funding is provided

The Export-Ready Stream does not offer loans.

Funding will be disbursed as a contribution.

A contribution is a conditional payment issued to your company/organization for a specific purpose, as outlined in a funding agreement. The agreement is signed by the Department and your company/organization and specifies the terms and conditions to receive payment. At the end of your project, you must submit a final report.

Funding conditions

You may be required to submit interim reports during your project. If you receive $250,000 or more as a contribution, you are required to submit an audited financial report or audited financial statements of the cost of your project.

You will be required to submit the results of your project up to six months after the project end date. Failure to submit the required information by the deadline identified in your funding agreement could result in a rejection of your new application.

Additional conditions may apply and will be included in your funding agreement.

Anti-racism and anti-hate

Canadian Heritage is committed to address systemic racism, promote diversity, and create environments where every individual is valued, respected, and empowered. We strive to challenge discriminatory beliefs and practices, cultivate understanding and empathy, and champion policies and programs that advance equality for all.

Organizations receiving funding, including any representatives whether employees, consultants, or other persons directly affiliated with the organization, must take steps to ensure they respect the values underlying the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Human Rights Act, and Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy.

Workplace well-being

The Government of Canada is strongly committed to promoting healthy workplaces where harassment, abuse and discrimination are not tolerated. Companies/organizations that receive funding from Canadian Heritage must take measures to create a workplace free from harassment, abuse and discrimination.

Official languages requirements

The Department of Canadian Heritage is committed to taking positive measures to enhance the vitality of official language minority communities and to promote the use of English and French in Canadian society. If you receive funding, you agree to comply with the official languages requirements set out in your application or in your funding agreement.

Acknowledgement of financial assistance

If you receive funding, you must publicly acknowledge – in English and in French – the financial support received from Government of Canada in all communications materials and promotional activities. Additional requirements may be included in your funding agreement.

For additional information, please refer to the Guide on the public acknowledgement of financial support.

Access to information requests

Creative Export Canada is subject to the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act. The information you submit in your application may be disclosed in accordance with these Acts.

Disclosure of information

By submitting your funding application, you authorize Creative Export Canada to disclose any information submitted with this application within the Government of Canada or to outside entities for the following purposes:

• to reach a decision;
• to evaluate the results of the project; and
• to support transparency, accountability and citizen engagement.

The program may choose to publish summaries of the results of the most successful projects on the Department's website to share creative industry export best practices. The Department will ensure that any public disclosure respects all requirements to protect personal information and third-party information. The case studies will not include any sensitive business information. If a funded project's information will be used for a case study, the program will seek the recipient's permission to disclose non-personal information.

Audits of recipients and evaluation of the program

We reserve the right to audit your accounts and records to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of your funding agreement. We also conduct periodic program evaluations, during which you may be required to present documentation.

You must keep any records, documents, or other information that may be required to perform the audit or the evaluation for five years. Demonstrated failure to maintain such records may result in the repayment of amounts previously received.

Contact us

For further information, please contact us:

Address

Department of Canadian Heritage
Creative Export Canada
25 Eddy Street, 8th floor
Gatineau, Quebec
J8X 4B5

For specific questions:

Email

creativeexportcanada-exportationcreativecanada@pch.gc.ca

Please note that we will respond to you within two business days.

For generic questions:

Telephone

819-997-0055
1-866-811-0055 (toll free)

TTY

1-888-997-3123 (for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired)

Agents are available to answer your questions Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Local time).

Regional offices of the Department of Canadian Heritage

Glossary

Artistic craft

Artistic crafts include original artistic works and/or products, unique or in multiples copies, made by hand or with tools, or even mechanical means, as long as the direct manual contribution of the artisan remains the most substantial component of the finished product, that are defined as artistic, creative, cultural, decorative, traditional, or symbolic expressions, and that are related to the transformation of a raw material (wood, clay, or earth) and/or processed material (metals, leather, textile, etc.).

Exclusions are:

Any completely factory-made production, or ready-to-assemble machined part sets, including production from molds that were not designed by craftsmen.

All aesthetic, body care, hair care, bath products, candles, perfumes, soaps and agri-food products.

Audited financial report

An audited financial report includes a statement of operations for the given period with regard to the Project and is prepared by a certified accountant who is not part of your company/organization.

Audited financial statements

A complete set of financial statements including a statement of financial position; a statement of operations; and a statement of changes in financial position. Audited financial statements are completed by a certified accountant who is not part of your company/organization. The certified accountant performs auditing activities in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.

Canadian control and ownership

To be eligible, a company/organization must be majority owned and controlled by a Canadian. For the Creative Export Canada program, "Canadian" means:

1. a citizen within the meaning of the Citizenship Act who is ordinarily resident in Canada;
2. a permanent resident within the meaning of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act;
3. a company/organization, a partnership, trust or joint venture in which a Canadian or permanent resident or any combination of Canadians and/or permanents residents beneficially owns and controls, directly or indirectly, interests representing in value at least 75% of the total value of the assets of the partnership, trust or joint venture, as the case may be. The president or other presiding officer, and more than half of the directors or other similar officers are also Canadians or permanent residents;
4. a not-for-profit organization in which 75% of its members are Canadians or permanent residents.

If at any time one or more persons who are not Canadian have any direct or indirect influence through a trust, an agreement, an arrangement or otherwise that, if exercised, would lead to a control in fact of the company/organization, the company/organization will no longer be recognized as Canadian-owned.

Canadian -owned and -controlled company/organization

A "Canadian company/organization" is a company/organization that meets the following conditions:

1. it is incorporated under the laws of Canada, a province or a territory;
2. its activities are based primarily in Canada;
3. whose chairperson or presiding officer and at least 75% of whose directors and other similar officers are Canadian citizens or permanent residents within the meaning of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act;
4. if a company/organization with share capital, of which Canadians beneficially own or control, other than by way of shares held only as security, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate at least 75% of all the issued and outstanding voting shares representing at least 75% of the paid-up capital;
5. if a company/organization without share capital, of which Canadians beneficially own or control, directly or indirectly, interests representing in value at least 75% of the total value of the assets.

Cash flow

A presentation of all anticipated revenues and planned expenses that will occur over the length of your project. At the beginning of your project, your cash flow will have only forecasted revenues and expenses. Over time, your cash flow will be updated to reflect the actual revenues and expenses.

Creative Content

Tangible or intangible content supporting at least one eligible creative industry that is featured in the product or service exported as part of the project submitted to Creative Export Canada program. An example of tangible creative content is a handmade necklace (artistic craft) or a book in paper format (publishing). An example of intangible creative content is a video game available on an online platform (interactive digital media) or a theatrical play (performing arts).

Creative industries

For the purposes of the program, creative industries are:

• artistic craft;
• audiovisual;
• design (limited to exhibit design, fashion design, artistic product design, public art design, urban design);
• music;
• performing arts;
• publishing (books and periodicals);
• visual arts; and
• interactive digital media (in combination with one of the industries listed above).

Environmental sustainability practices

The Government of Canada's environmental protection strategies are driven by a vision of environmentally sustainable economic development. This vision depends on a clean, healthy environment and a strong, healthy economy that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Environmental considerations include, among other things: the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and air contaminants; improved energy and water efficiency; reduced waste and support reuse and recycling; the use of renewable resources; reduced hazardous waste; reduced toxic and hazardous substances; and biodiversity.

Equity-deserving communities

A group of people who, because of systemic discrimination, face barriers that prevent them from having the same access to the resources and opportunities that are available to other members of society, and that are necessary for them to attain just outcomes.

Under the Creative Export Canada program, groups considered to be equity-deserving groups include women, racialized people, people who are part of LGBTQ2+ communities, persons with disabilities and official language minority communities.

Export plan

A written document, with a limit of 50 pages, that describes your company/organization's plans regarding international markets for two to five years. It identifies future opportunities and includes the financial, operational and marketing strategies to achieve your goals.

Final report

A final report is submitted at the end of your project based on the requirements in the funding agreement. Your final report needs to provide the results of the activities you have undertaken for the duration of your project.

Financial statements

A complete set of financial statements, including a statement of financial position; a statement of operations; and a statement of changes in financial position. Financial statements may be audited or unaudited.

Fiscal year

A fiscal year is the financial 52-week period of a company/organization for accounting purposes. The fiscal year of the Government of Canada is April 1 to March 31.

Indigenous communities

Indigenous communities are First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.

Interim reports

Interim reports are submitted during your project based on the requirements in the funding agreement. These reports indicate the results of the activities undertaken for a specific period. In addition, they include a status of the work to be accomplished and updated revenue and expense reports.

Marketing agency

Agency that focuses on promoting, communicating, and advertising their client's offers, products and services.

Offensive Content

Projects that, in our opinion, contain or promote any of the following:

• material that is hate propaganda, obscene or child pornography, or any other illegal material, as defined in the Criminal Code;
• pornography or other material having significant sexual content unless it can be demonstrated that there is an overriding educational or other similar purpose;
• material that contains excessive or gratuitous violence;
• material that is denigrating to an identifiable group; and
• any other similarly offensive material.

Official-language minority communities

The official-language minority communities are the Anglophone communities residing in Quebec and the Francophone communities residing outside of Quebec.

Public Relations agency

Agency that works with clients from a diversity of sectors in order to develop and manage specialized communication actions that influence public opinion in order to build a reputation, direct or build the client’s public image.

Public Relations

Public relations are a set of specialized communication activities with the intention of directing the public image of an organization or a company.

Return on program’s contribution

Export revenues generated following the contribution of the Creative Export Canada program.

Self-identification

A person's own assertion of belonging to a certain group or category of people.