Export promotion – grants to take part in trade fairs

This grant is for your business if you plan to exhibit at an international trade fair and showcase products or solutions you have developed yourselves. You can receive support for two trade fairs within a 12-month period.
Tilhørere til arrangement på norsk paviljong på en messe i utlandet
© Maverix Media
Service type
Grant
Target audience
Norwegian businesses with 1–99 employees
Application deadline
Ongoing
How much
NOK 20,000–70,000
Application type
Export promotion in international markets
No funding left for 2026
You can still apply for funding. We will start processing your application, but we can only make a final decision once funding becomes available again, which we expect in January 2027.

Norwegian companies (limited liability companies) that

  • have at least 1 employee (one full-time equivalent)* and fewer than 100 employees
  • will take part as an exhibitor, not just an attendee, at a business-to-business (B2B) trade fair abroad.
  • have developed your own** products or solutions to showcase at the trade fair.

*Please note that your company must have registered employment relationships in the Aa Register (the State Register of Employers and Employees) totalling at least one full-time equivalent to qualify for the scheme. One or more employees can meet this requirement. The number of employees and their full-time equivalents are determined using information reported to the Brønnøysund Register Centre, which we use as the basis for our assessment. Work carried out by an owner without a formally registered employment relationship is not included in the calculation. This applies to all applications processed in 2026.

**By products or solutions developed in-house, we mean products, services or technological solutions that your company has developed – or substantially enhanced – itself, and for which it controls the key rights. We base our assessment on the information about this on your company’s website.

The scheme does not apply to

  • businesses wholly owned by a large company with 250 or more employees.
  • municipalities/county authorities, educational institutions, interest groups, business and employers’ organisations, non-profit organisations, industry associations, destination management organisations, clusters, or companies in which a municipality, county authority or the state owns 50% or more.
  • businesses that are not established as limited liability companies (sole proprietorships, general partnerships, partnerships with shared liability, cooperatives, etc.)
  • agents, wholesalers, distributors and similar businesses that do not have their own products or solutions to showcase at the trade fair
  • innovation hubs, business parks, industrial parks and similar
  • clusters and network organisations

Your company can receive grants to exhibit at a maximum of two trade fairs within a 12-month period. The date you submit your application determines the relevant period.

You must submit your application no later than the day before the trade fair starts (Norwegian time). Allow at least 4 weeks for processing. If you have not received a decision before the registration deadline, you register at your own risk. You can apply for a grant up to one year before your planned participation in the trade fair.

You can use the grant for:

  • Exhibiting at trade fairs abroad, including in shared pavilions, shared stands or showrooms, or as an individual exhibitor.
  • Participation in joint side events at trade fairs abroad where your company is also exhibiting. These may include B2B matchmaking, workshops, seminars and similar events that support the objectives of your participation in the trade fair. 

We prioritise trade fairs where Norwegian companies participate together under a shared brand, but individual exhibitors can also apply for a grant.

Eligible costs:

  • Participation fee for a company stand at a shared Norwegian pavilion abroad.
  • Participation fee for a side event held in connection with the same trade fair.
  • Expenses invoiced directly to your Norwegian company if you are not part of a Norwegian pavilion. In this case, the following costs are eligible for support:
    • Stand/space rental (including any mandatory administration and marketing fees) charged by the trade fair/exhibition organiser.
    • Stand construction and technical costs (walls, flooring, furniture, screens, electricity, lighting) from a stand builder and/or other specialist subcontractor.
    • Support with producing graphics for walls and/or screens, invoiced by the stand builder/designer and/or graphic design agency.
    • Transport and freight handling (customs duties, fees, etc.) for products/models that are central to your company's exhibition activities (excluding brochures, roll-up banners, handouts, etc.)

We can approve an invoice for registration or participation fees even if you received and paid it before submitting your application to us. You must submit your application before incurring any other costs related to exhibiting at the trade fair (such as stand construction and technical stand costs).

State aid rules

Grants for export promotion are awarded under the rules on de minimis aid.

An undertaking (including both the applicant and any group it belongs to) can receive a maximum of EUR 300,000 in 'de minimis aid' over a three-year period. Your company must therefore submit a de minimis aid declaration as part of the application process. Your CEO will receive a task to complete this declaration. We cannot decide on your application until we have received the declaration. The task must be completed as soon as possible and within three weeks.

  • Trade fairs that already receive substantial government subsidies (see 'Trade fairs not pre-approved')
  • B2C-only fairs (consumer fairs)
  • Industry conferences 
  • Trade fairs related to the following sectors: tobacco, cannabis, gambling, pornography, controversial weapons, coal and oil sands extraction, and coal-fired power generation.
  • Participation in events involving networking activities or workshops, or private events between customers and suppliers with no exhibition activity

Costs not covered:

  • Salary costs for your employees attending the trade fair or networking event. 
  • Travel expenses (including flights, other transport and accommodation) and subsistence allowances, or food and drink expenses for your own employees.
  • Gifts, travel, accommodation and hospitality for your company’s guests, customers or suppliers.
  • Clothing for your employees (with a logo, print or similar)
  • Stand giveaways (pens, sweets or similar items featuring your company logo)
  • Hire of a coffee machine or similar equipment to serve refreshments to visitors
  • Design and printing of brochures for your company’s products
  • Marketing your company’s presence at the trade fair (advertising, etc.)
  • Visitor passes for the trade fair
  • Please note: We do not cover costs invoiced to a third party, even if the third party belongs to the same group as the applicant.

Funding for export promotion in 2026 has been fully allocated

You can still apply for funding for export promotion initiatives. We will begin processing your application, but we can only make a final decision once funding becomes available under the scheme again, which we expect in January 2027.

You must submit your application no later than the day before the trade fair starts (Norwegian time). Allow at least 4 weeks for processing. If you have not received a decision on your application by the registration deadline, you register at your own risk.

You can apply for a grant no earlier than one year before your planned participation in the trade fair.

You cannot appeal decisions we make.

You must accept the offer by the deadline stated in the offer letter. Otherwise, the offer will lapse.

The same applies to payment. You must request payment of the grant within three months of the trade fair taking place. If you do not request payment by the deadline, the grant will lapse.

We pay the grant after the trade fair has taken place and you have submitted an invoice as supporting documentation. Please note which costs are covered and which are not.

Experiencing technical problems? Get in touch at kundesupport@innovasjonnorge.no

Industry associations and other relevant organisations can initiate and coordinate an export promotion initiative. These organisations can ask us for advance approval of the trade fair using this form.

Why apply for pre-approval?

  • With pre-approval, your business can apply for a grant to cover exhibitor costs more quickly.
  • We prioritise grant applications for pre-approved trade fairs.
  • If you apply for pre-approval, we will promote your event.


List of pre-approved trade fairs (updated regularly):

2026

  • MVTe - eHealth in Stockholm (Sweden), 21–22 January
  • SIMEC in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), 26–28 January
  • Euromaritime in Marseille (France), 3–5 February
  • Enforcetac in Nuremberg (Germany), 23–25 February
  • JEC World in Paris (France), 10–12 March
  • Intertraffic in Amsterdam (the Netherlands), 10–13 March
  • Asia Pacific Maritime (APM) in Singapore, 13–15 March
  • Seafood Expo North America (SENA) in Boston (USA), 15–17 March
  • Aqua Sur in Puerto Montt (Chile), 24–26 March
  • CosmoProf in Bologna (Italy), 26–29 March
  • Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami (USA), 14–16 April
  • Hannover Messe in Hannover (Germany), 20–24 April
  • Singapore Maritime Week in Singapore, 20–24 April
  • DMEA in Berlin (Germany), 21–23 April
  • Seafood Expo Global (SEG) in Barcelona (Spain), 21–23 April
  • Money2020 Asia in Bangkok (Thailand), 21–23 April
  • Sea Japan in Tokyo, 22–24 April
  • Tutto Food in Milan (Italy), 11–14 May
  • Vitalis in Gothenburg (Sweden), 4–7 May
  • Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston (USA), 5–8 May
  • Rastech Conference & Exhibition in St. Augustine / Florida (USA), 19–21 May
  • Navalia in Vigo (Spain), 19–21 May
  • Retail Technology in Stockholm (Sweden), 26–27 May
  • Posidonia in Athens (Greece), 1–5 June
  • Supply, Security & Defence Expo in Tallinn (Estonia), 10–11 June
  • Eurosatory in Paris (France), 15–19 June
  • Aquaculture UK in Glasgow (Scotland), 16–17 June
  • Intersolar Europe in Munich (Germany), 23–25 June
  • Farnborough International Airshow in London (United Kingdom), 20–24 July
  • DIHAD in Dubai (United Arab Emirates), 24–26 August
  • SMM in Hamburg (Germany), 1–4 September
  • MSPO in Kielce (Poland), 8–11 September
  • Proptech Connect in London (England), 9–10 September
  • Gastech in Bangkok (Thailand), 14–18 September
  • ROGe in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), 21–24 September
  • World Agri Tech in London (England), 22–23 September
  • Rehacare in Düsseldorf (Germany), 23–26 September
  • Aluminum in Düsseldorf (Germany), 6–8 October
  • SIAL in Paris (France), 17–21 October
  • The Seafood Show in Sao Paulo (Brazil), 20–22 October
  • Saudi Maritime Congress (SMC) in Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), 21–22 October
  • China Fisheries Seafood Expo in Qingdao (China), 28–30 October
  • ADIPEC in Abu Dhabi (UAE), 2–5 November
  • Ecomondo in Rimini (Italy), 3–6 November
  • Euronaval in Paris (France), 3–6 November
  • ReBuild Ukraine in Warsaw (Poland), 12–13 November
  • Metstrade in Amsterdam (the Netherlands), 17–19 November
  • Space Tech Expo in Bremen (Germany), 17–19 November
  • United XR Europe in Brussels (Belgium), 7–9 December

2027

  • ProWinter in Bozan (Italy), 10–12 January
  • BETT Show in London (England), 20–22 January
  • Enforectac in Nuremberg (Germany), 1–3 March
  • EXA Energy Exchange Australia in Perth (Australia), 2–4 March
  • JEC World in Paris (France), 2–4 March
  • KEY - The Energy Transition Expo in Rimini (Italy), 10–12 March
  • CosmoProf Worldwide in Bologna (Italy), 18–21 March
  • NAB Las Vegas in Las Vegas (USA), 3–7 April
  • Seatrade Cruis Global in Miami (USA), 5–8 April
  • Singapore Maritime Week in Singapore, 12–16 April
  • Sea Asia in Singapore, 13–15 April
  • OSEA in Singapore, 13–15 April
  • DMEA in Munich (Germany), 13–15 April
  • Seafood Expo Global (SEG) in Barcelona (Spain), 20–22 April
  • Seafood Processing Global (SPG) in Barcelona (Spain), 20–22 April
  • Wind Europe Annual Event in Copenhagen (Denmark), 20–22 April
  • Defence Manufacturing & Materials in Katowice (Poland), 26–29 April
  • OTC in Houston (USA), 3–5 May)
  • Aluminum USA in Louisville (USA), 19–20 May
  • Vitalis in Gothenburg (Sweden), 24–27 May
  • Intersolar Europe in Munich (Germany), 8–10 June
  • 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen (Denmark), 9–12 June
  • SSD Expo in Riga (Latvia), 16–17 June
  • Offshore Europe in Aberdeen (Scotland), 7–9 September
  • The International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) in Amsterdam (the Netherlands), 10–13 September
  • Rehacare in Düsseldorf (Germany), 15–18 September
  • INMEX SMM India in Mumbai (India), 22–24 September
  • Kormarine in Busan (South Korea), 19–22 October
  • ITS World Congress in Birmingham (England), 25–29 October
  • Smart Health Europe in Berlin (Germany), 26–28 October
  • China Fisheries Seafood Expo in Qingdao (China), 27–29 October
  • ADIPEC in Abu Dhabi (UAE), 1–4 November
  • Europort in Rotterdam (the Netherlands), 2–5 November
  • Marintec China in Shanghai (China), 30 November–3 December

These trade fairs receive substantial funding from the Norwegian government, so you cannot apply for or receive a grant to participate in them.

2026

  • India Energy Week in Goa (India), 27–30 January
  • KeyEnergy Transition Expo in Rimini (Italy), 4–6 March
  • Wind Expo Japan in Tokyo, 17–19 March
  • Wind Europe Annual Event in Madrid (Spain), 21–23 April
  • Seafood Processing Global (SPG) in Barcelona (Spain), 21–23 April
  • World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam (the Netherlands), 19–21 May
  • IMEX Frankfurt (Germany), 19–21 May
  • HIMSS - European Health Conference & Exhibition in Copenhagen (Denmark), 19–21 May
  • NHS Confedex in London (UK), 10–11 June
  • 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen (Denmark), 10–12 June
  • The Meeting Show in London (UK), 24–25 June
  • Nor-Fishing in Trondheim, 18–20 August
  • ONS in Stavanger, 24–27 August
  • WindEnergy Hamburg (Germany), 22–25 September
  • IMEX America in Las Vegas (USA), 13–15 October
  • IBTM Barcelona (Spain), 17–19 November
  • Design Nation in Düsseldorf (Germany), 25–26 November
Key requirements for funding

To receive services from us, your business must uphold the principles of responsible business conduct and understand its own sustainability risks. Read more about sustainability and responsible business conduct.

State aid rules

Our funding must comply with State aid rules. Five general conditions for State aid must be met.

The General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) forms part of the State aid rules. It contains a set of articles that provide the legal basis for us to support businesses in different circumstances. One or more articles may apply in each case. Read more about GBER.

Legal basis for the scheme

Our funding schemes have been notified to the EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA). The legal basis for these notifications is available on the National Legal Basis page.

Other public funding

You must state in your application whether you have applied or plan to apply for other public funding for the project. We also base the amount of funding we award on an overall assessment of how much public funding is needed for the project to go ahead.

When determining the grant amount, we therefore assume that you will receive no public funding, including SkatteFUNN, other than that stated in your application. This applies to funding for the project costs on which we have based our grant calculation (eligible costs). If you receive other public funding, including SkatteFUNN, for the same costs after we have made our offer, we may reduce our grant accordingly or withdraw it.

This does not prevent your business from receiving other public support for project costs other than those used to calculate our grant.

Exhibitor application form
You must hold a role registered with the Brønnøysund Register Centre
Apply for pre-approval of the trade fair
Only for industry associations coordinating joint export initiatives or shared Norwegian pavilions.
Checklist for trade fair exhibitors
A guide to help you prepare for, take part in and follow up on a trade fair effectively.