Business Advisory Services Funding Program

Please note: All funding programs operate on a fixed budget and require careful management by STEP. Funding applications must be submitted to stepfunding@sasktrade.sk.ca and are adjudicated on a first-come, first-served basis. While we are committed to supporting as many applicants as possible, funding availability is limited. Once the program funds are fully earmarked, we will not accept additional applications. Incomplete or late applications will not be processed. Please be sure to provide all required information to increase your chances of receiving support. Meeting eligibility criteria does not imply automatic access to program assistance.

This program supports market diversification efforts in Canada and internationally, excluding the United States.

The Business Advisory Services Funding Program is temporary; the program will end March 31, 2028.

Do you need expert guidance to understand regulatory requirements, buyer expectations, or market entry considerations in new international markets beyond the US?
Are operational or supply chain constraints preventing you from accessing or delivering into new export markets, where external advisory support is needed to assess and address these challenges?
Are gaps in your financial, compliance, or internal processes preventing you from effectively operating in non-US markets (e.g., managing tariffs, reporting, or cross-border transactions)?

Business Advisory Services Funding Program

The Business Advisory Services Funding Program is a temporary funding initiative designed to assist Saskatchewan exporters in overcoming barriers to market entry and expansion in international markets beyond the U.S. through specialized third-party advisory services.

Eligible support focuses on advisory activities that improve export readiness, including market entry assessments, financial and operational restructuring, and technology or systems advisory required to support cross-border operations and meet market-specific requirements.

Funding assistance is provided at 50% of eligible third-party consulting costs to a maximum reimbursement of $5,000.00 CAD per approved application per fiscal year. Eligible projects must take place between April 1, 2026 and March 31, 2028.

Who Can Apply

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

Be a Saskatchewan based company offering an exportable product or service.
Be in full compliance with all applicable government laws and regulations.
Be an incorporated business, partnership or proprietorship registered federally or provincially and operating in Saskatchewan for a minimum of two years. Applicants may be required to provide proof of incorporation or supporting documentation.
Have minimum annual sales of $25,000.

Funding Details

Eligible Costs

Eligible costs include fees for services provided by a consultant or external service provider, subject to the following conditions:

The consultant must be an independent contractor, unaffiliated with the applicant company. All transactions must be conducted at arm’s-length and at fair market value.
Expenses will be deemed ineligible where an employer-employee relationship or affiliation exists.
The consultant must possess specialized expertise or training not otherwise available within the applicant organization and must not be an employee or representative conducting business on the applicant’s behalf.
Applicants must provide evidence of the work performed, such as contracts, scopes of work, deliverables, and proof of payment.
The consultant must be performing work related to Saskatchewan operations.
Applicants must clearly describe the consultant’s work and demonstrate how it will directly support expansion into new markets.
Retainer fees and monthly installment arrangements are not eligible.
Consultant travel and per diem costs are not eligible and must be excluded from reimbursement claims.
Consultant fees must be charged and claimed within the approved project term. Failure to demonstrate that work was completed in accordance with the contracted deliverables and timelines may result in the claim being deemed ineligible.

Ineligible Costs

Ineligible consulting activities and expenses included but are not limited to:

External staff training courses
Consulting contracts exceeding 12 months
Outsourced operational duties or ongoing service delivery functions
Operational expenses and staff wages
Management or staff travel and per diem costs
Consultant administration or management fees
Fees for consultants outside of Canada, unless it is demonstrated that the service is not available in Canada
Meeting expenses (e.g., equipment rental, refreshments)
Purchase of equipment, software licenses, or tools
In-kind volunteer labour, donated services, or materials
Product development, product modification, or costs related to obtaining certifications to access new markets beyond the U.S., which may be supported under the STEP Product Modification/Certification Support Program
Development, configuration, or implementation of websites or customer-facing platforms, portals, e-commerce systems, or digital products
Custom software, dashboards, or application development involving coding, system build, or technical implementation, including internal reporting or business intelligence tools
Ongoing IT support, maintenance, subscriptions, or system administration services
Projects primarily focused on general business growth, scaling operations, improving customer experience, or enabling new revenue streams that are not directly required to address a specific export barrier or market entry requirement in non-U.S. markets

**STEP reserves the right to determine the eligibility of expenses.

Application & Program Process

All funding is provided on a reimbursement basis for eligible costs incurred. Funding advances are not available.
To receive reimbursement, applicants must submit the following within 21 days of project completion:
- Detailed invoices and receipts with clear proof of payments for consulting services.
- A complete project report and program evaluation form (available from the program administrator).
Applicants must be prepared to provide evidence of project deliverables (e.g., business plans, studies, reports, documented procedures, certificates) for quality assurance purposes. All materials will remain confidential.
Upon receipt of complete documentation, reimbursement will be issued by EFT within four (4) weeks in Canadian dollars.
Payments will be made to the company or legal entity, not to individuals.
Failure to meet program conditions or timelines will result in default, loss of eligibility and forfeiture of reimbursement.

Funding Stacking Restrictions

Applicants may not use other provincial or Canadian government funding (Federal, Provincial, or Municipal) to cover the same costs submitted under this application.

Ready to Apply?

Program Application Guide

Program Application - fillable

Program Evaluation - fillable

Two Ways to Electronically Fill and Submit the Forms:

Download the form and open in a desktop PDF application (Adobe Acrobat or Reader). When you’ve completely filled in the application, click Submit Form on the purple banner at the top of the document.
Download the form and open it in a desktop PDF application (Adobe Acrobat or Reader). When you’ve completely filled in the application, save the document and attach it in an email to stepfunding@sasktrade.sk.ca.