Policy
For eligible projects, Aboriginal Business Canada supports marketing initiatives that are in addition to a firm's normal marketing efforts and that are detailed in an acceptable marketing
plan.
The following costs are examples of marketing costs related to local marketing efforts that Aboriginal Business Canada supports:
- signage;
- billboards;
- advertising (radio, television and newspaper, etc.);
- print materials;
- mailings; and
- development, expansion or enhancement of Internet sites.
The following costs are examples of marketing costs related to non-local marketing efforts that Aboriginal Business Canada supports:
- return economy air fare (for up to two people); when appropriate, Aboriginal Business Canada will cover mileage to and from a trade show when the cost is less than the airfare, based on
Treasury Board guidelines;
- hotel accommodation (not to exceed Treasury Board guidelines);
- trade show registration and show room fees;
- booth-related expenses, equipment rental and translation costs, including engaging an on-site translator;
- promotional costs, advertising, print material and mailings;
- labelling and labelling compliance costs;
- freight, insurance and customs broker costs;
- professional and legal services (related to foreign trade arrangements); and
- patent applications, product registration and trade-mark registration costs.
Note: Aboriginal Business Canada provides marketing support for up to 12 months, but, when warranted, may provide funding for up to three years (possibly reduced in the second
and third
years). In these cases, the applicant must clearly demonstrate the need for such support.
A clearly demonstrated need is also a requirement for applicants who received marketing support for 12 months and then apply to the program for additional marketing support. Levels of
assistance are typically reduced for these additional projects.
Applicants may receive assistance to participate in a maximum of two trade missions per year, although in exceptional circumstances more may be approved. In any decision to support an
applicant's participation in subsequent trade missions, the development officer must take into account the level of activity, success and follow-up of the applicant after previous missions.
Non-Eligible Project Costs
Aboriginal Business Canada does not support the following costs:
- meals;
- existing staff salaries;
- entertainment expenses;
- costs of samples; and
- mileage and ground transportation (exceptions noted above).
Considerations
Aboriginal Business Canada will only make the final payment on any contribution involving a trade mission when it receives a satisfactory report from the applicant describing in detail the
benefits and outcomes of the mission.
