The Market Readiness Assistance grant supported eligible overseas promotion, business development and market setup. New MRA applications closed on 29 September 2026. Existing projects continue under their approvals; businesses planning new overseas work should now assess the relevant EDGE internationalisation activity.
International expansion is easier to plan when each activity answers a clear commercial question. Use this updated introduction to separate legacy MRA obligations from the decisions required for a new market project today.
What to take away
- Check whether your project is an existing MRA approval or new EDGE work.
- Choose the market and customer before choosing the funded activity.
- Budget for the complete expansion effort and reimbursement gap.
What MRA was designed to help businesses do
MRA helped businesses take practical steps into an overseas market: reaching buyers, developing commercial relationships and establishing the necessary market-entry arrangements. The activity mattered because it addressed a particular obstacle to expansion, rather than providing unrestricted money for any overseas expenditure.
Keep that discipline when planning under EDGE. Decide what is preventing the next sale or market decision. A lack of suitable distributors calls for different work from a missing registration or an untested promotional message. Writing down that obstacle helps avoid an expensive collection of activities with no common commercial purpose.
Which rules apply in October 2026?
Start with the application record. Ongoing MRA submissions and projects remain on their original track. Their approval documents determine the deliverables, supported expenses and deadlines. New applications from 30 September 2026 fall under EDGE and must meet the selected activity's current conditions.
Do not transfer MRA's historical per-market limits automatically into an EDGE budget. Likewise, do not rely on a generic checklist claiming every applicant needs a year of trading, two employees or a minimum turnover. Review the actual company and activity criteria, using evidence of ownership and business operations where required.
Build a useful market plan before buying services
Define the buyer, the offer and the proposed sales route. Then identify what evidence would make management proceed, revise the offer or stop. A partner-search brief should describe the required capabilities and commercial fit; a promotion brief should identify a relevant audience and a follow-up process.
Ask the delivery team who will handle enquiries after the funded work. Translation, samples, customer support, fulfilment and credit arrangements can all require attention outside the proposed activity. A successful first meeting is valuable only if the business can respond credibly and deliver what it promises.
Prepare costs and evidence from the outset
Separate the supplier's complete price from the costs that may qualify for support. Build a payment forecast that allows the business to fund delivery before reimbursement. Include necessary but unsupported work so management sees the real expansion commitment.
Keep a record of scope, vendor selection, invoices, payments and completed outputs. Check timing restrictions before signing or paying, including express exceptions for the selected activity. The general rule should never replace an activity-specific review. Assign one internal person to maintain the evidence and deadlines while the commercial team develops the market.
Continue with the Market Readiness Assistance grant guide for a deeper planning guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still submit a new MRA application?
No. New applications moved to EDGE from 30 September 2026. Existing MRA submissions and projects continue under their original terms. Check the project reference and approval rather than assuming an old supplier proposal determines the current route.
Does an overseas trip automatically qualify for support?
No. Assess the specific activity, costs and deliverables. Travel that is commercially useful is not automatically grant-supported. Define the purpose and check the applicable conditions before making commitments.
Reviewed 13 October 2026. Activity requirements and approved terms apply. Illustrative examples are not funding offers.
