Running a business in Singapore isn’t cheap. Salaries are rising, expansion overseas requires upfront investment, and digitalisation demands both money and time. The good news is: government grants can help you offset a significant portion of these costs — up to 90% in some cases.

Let’s dive into three of the most powerful grants every SME should know: Enterprise Development Grant (EDG), Market Readiness Assistance (MRA), and Career Conversion Programme (CCP).

‍1. Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) – Up to 70% Support

The EDG is designed to help businesses upgrade, innovate, and expand internationally.

• Funding support: Up to 50% of project costs, and up to 70% for sustainability-related projects until March 2026.

• What it covers:

• Core Capabilities – branding, HR, financial management, strategy.

• Innovation & Productivity – automation, process redesign, product development.

• Market Access – overseas pilots, internationalisation projects.

Most local SMEs qualify as long as they’re registered in Singapore with some level of local ownership.

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2. Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) – Up to S$100K per Market

If you’re planning to test or enter a new overseas market, the MRA grant helps reduce the risk.

• Funding support: Up to 50% of eligible costs, capped at S$100,000 per market.

• Breakdown:

• Overseas promotion → up to S$20K.

• Business development → up to S$50K.

• Overseas setup → up to S$30K.

This is ideal for SMEs that want to grow regionally but remain cautious with upfront spending.

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3. Career Conversion Programme (CCP) – Up to 90% Salary Support

Hiring and training new staff is one of the biggest costs for SMEs. The CCP tackles this head-on.

• Funding support:

• 70% of salary for 3–6 months (up to S$5K/month).

• For mature workers (40+) or long-term unemployed → up to 90%, capped at S$7.5K/month.

• Training: Companies must provide structured on-the-job training or reskilling programmes.

This allows you to bring in mid-career talent at a fraction of the usual cost.

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How to Apply (Step by Step)

Applying for grants isn’t as difficult as many think — but it does require proper preparation. Here’s a simplified version of the process:

1. Login to the Business Grants Portal (BGP) using your CorpPass.

2. Update your company profile: make sure your ACRA info, business description, and financial data are accurate.

3. Select the right grant: choose “Upgrade key business areas” (EDG), “Explore new markets” (MRA), or “Hire & reskill workers” (CCP).

4. Prepare supporting documents:

• Financial statements (last FY).

• Project proposal (templates are provided by Enterprise Singapore).

• Vendor quotations and consultant credentials.

• Employment letters (for CCP).

5. Submit the application through BGP.

6. Respond to queries: Enterprise Singapore may ask for clarifications, extra documents, or justification for vendor choice.

7. Approval & reimbursement: Once approved, you can start the project. Remember — grants are on a “pay first, claim later” basis.

👉 While companies can submit applications on their own, most SMEs prefer to engage advisors to streamline the process, reduce paperwork stress, and improve approval chances.

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FAQs: Government Grants in Singapore

1. Do all companies qualify for grants?
Most SMEs do. As long as you are registered in Singapore and have some local shareholding, you can likely apply.

2. How long does approval take?
Typically 6–12 weeks, depending on the complexity of the project and completeness of documents.

3. Are grants only for struggling businesses?
Not at all. Many profitable companies apply — because why pay 100% when you can get 50–90% reimbursed for projects you’re already planning?

4. Do I get the money upfront?
No. All grants are reimbursement-based. You must start and fund the project first, then claim back the approved portion.

5. What if my project fails?
As long as the project was executed as described and funds used properly, you don’t need to refund just because results fell short.

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Final Thoughts

Grants aren’t just “free money” — they’re strategic tools to help you hire smarter, expand globally, and transform your business with lower risk.

Whether you’re upgrading processes, exploring overseas markets, or reskilling talent, these programmes can cut costs dramatically — sometimes up to 90%.

So don’t wait until next year’s budget cycle. Start exploring your options today and let government support boost your business growth.

Ready to Get Started?

Navigating government grants can feel overwhelming — from preparing financial statements, drafting project proposals, to ensuring vendor compliance. That’s where we come in.

✅ We guide you step by step through the application.
✅ We help you align your project to grant criteria for higher approval chances.
✅ We handle the paperwork so you can focus on running your business.

👉 Contact our team today to check your eligibility and kickstart your grant application. Let’s make sure you don’t leave up to 90% in savings on the table.