Singapore offers some of the most accessible and generous government grant programmes in the world for SMEs. The three workhorse grants — the Enterprise Development Grant (EDG), the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG), and the Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant — have collectively supported thousands of Singapore businesses in upgrading capabilities, adopting technology, and expanding overseas. Understanding which grant suits your needs, and how to combine them strategically, is one of the most practical things a Singapore business owner can do to reduce costs.
This guide breaks down each grant, compares them side by side, and provides a clear decision framework. We also cover the upcoming EDGE grant — the consolidated successor to all three, launching in the second half of 2026 — and what it means for your grant strategy.
Quick Comparison: EDG vs PSG vs MRA
| Feature | EDG | PSG | MRA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administered by | Enterprise Singapore | Enterprise Singapore | Enterprise Singapore |
| Purpose | Business upgrading, innovation, internationalisation | IT & equipment adoption (pre-approved solutions) | Overseas market expansion |
| Support level (SME) | Up to 50% (up to 70% for sustainability projects) | Up to 50% | Up to 70% (from 1 April 2026) |
| Support level (non-SME) | Up to 30% | Not applicable | Up to 50% (from 1 April 2026) |
| Cap | No fixed cap (project-based) | S$30,000 per year | S$100,000 per company per new market |
| Qualifying costs | Consultancy, training, software, equipment, IP | Pre-approved IT solutions and equipment only | Overseas market entry, business matching, marketing |
| Approval time | 4–8 weeks | ~6 weeks (pre-approved solutions) | 4–6 weeks |
| SME eligibility | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Non-SME eligibility | Yes (lower support) | No | Yes (lower support, from April 2026) |
Enterprise Development Grant (EDG): The Versatile Upgrading Grant
The Enterprise Development Grant is the most flexible of the three. It supports projects across three broad pillars:
Pillar 1: Core Capabilities
Projects that strengthen the business’s core — strategic brand and marketing, financial management, human capital development, service excellence, and product development. Example: engaging a consultant to develop a market entry strategy, design a performance management framework, or create a new product prototype.
Pillar 2: Innovation and Productivity
Projects that redesign business processes, automate workflows, or develop new products and services. Example: undertaking a business process redesign to streamline operations, developing a proprietary digital platform, or adopting robotics and automation solutions not available on the PSG pre-approved list.
Pillar 3: Market Access
Projects that support overseas expansion through market studies, overseas set-up, and joint ventures. Similar ground to the MRA grant, but with no cap on the quantum and broader qualifying cost categories.
Key EDG eligibility requirements:
- Registered and operating in Singapore
- At least 30% local equity
- In a financially viable position to start and complete the project
- Project must not have started before grant approval is obtained
Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG): The Fast-Track Digitalisation Grant
The PSG is the simplest grant to apply for and the fastest to be approved. It supports adoption of pre-approved IT solutions and equipment — meaning Enterprise Singapore has already vetted the vendor and solution, and the subsidy rate is set. Eligible categories include accounting software, CRM systems, HR and payroll platforms, inventory management, digital marketing tools, point-of-sale systems, and industry-specific equipment.
Why choose PSG?
- Fastest route to grant disbursement — no lengthy project assessment required
- Simple documentation — quotation from the pre-approved vendor is the main requirement
- Available to sole proprietorships, partnerships, and companies alike
- Cap of S$30,000 per year is sufficient for most digital tool adoptions
PSG limitations:
- Only covers pre-approved solutions — bespoke software development or hardware not on the approved list must go through EDG instead
- The S$30,000 annual cap limits its usefulness for larger-scale projects
- Available to SMEs only (annual turnover ≤ S$100M or ≤ 200 employees)
Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant: The Overseas Expansion Grant
The MRA grant supports Singapore companies venturing overseas for the first time into a new market, or deepening existing overseas presence. From 1 April 2026, the MRA has been significantly enhanced:
- Support rate increased from 50% to 70% for SMEs
- Support rate increased from 20% to 50% for non-SMEs
- The requirement that the target must be a “new” overseas market has been removed — companies can now use MRA to deepen presence in markets they already operate in
- Cap remains at S$100,000 per company per overseas market
Qualifying MRA activities include overseas market promotion (trade fairs, marketing campaigns), business matching services, market entry strategy, and overseas set-up costs (incorporation, regulatory compliance).
Which Grant Is Right for You? A Decision Framework
| Your situation | Best grant |
|---|---|
| Want to adopt a specific pre-approved IT solution quickly | PSG |
| Need to engage a consultant for strategic planning, process redesign, or R&D | EDG |
| Expanding into an overseas market (marketing, business matching, set-up) | MRA |
| Large-scale overseas expansion requiring market studies and overseas entity setup | EDG (Pillar 3) or MRA (or both) |
| Sustainability / green business transformation project | EDG (up to 70% support) |
| Non-SME needing overseas expansion support | MRA (from April 2026: 50% support) |
Can You Stack EDG, PSG and MRA?
Yes — within limits. A Singapore SME can apply for all three grants simultaneously, provided each grant covers a distinct, clearly delineated project or expenditure. The grants cannot fund the same cost items. For example, a company could use PSG to adopt a CRM system, EDG to engage a market entry consultant for China, and MRA to fund participation in a Singapore Pavilion at an overseas trade show — all at the same time.
Our guide to Singapore grant eligibility covers the general rules for stacking and combining grants.
What’s Coming: The EDGE Grant (2H 2026)
Enterprise Singapore has announced the launch of the Enterprise Development and Growth with Enterprises (EDGE) grant in the second half of 2026, which will consolidate the EDG, PSG, and MRA into a single unified programme. Key features of EDGE include:
- A single application through the Business Grants Portal covering all three grant types
- Expanded eligibility — EDGE will be available to both SMEs and non-SMEs (previously PSG was SME-only)
- Higher support for overseas expansion — 70% for SMEs, 50% for non-SMEs
- Removal of the “new market” restriction for internationalisation projects
Until EDGE launches, all three existing grants remain fully accessible. For more detail on the EDGE transition, see our earlier article on EDG, PSG and MRA to EDGE: what businesses need to know.
How to Apply
All three grants are applied for through the Business Grants Portal (BGP) using your company’s CorpPass login. The golden rule for all three: do not start the project or make any payments before your grant is approved. Pre-commencement of work is the most common reason for grant rejection.
How Raffles Corporate Services Can Help
At Raffles Corporate Services, we help Singapore businesses identify the right grant for their needs, prepare strong grant applications, and navigate the post-approval claims process. Whether you are applying for your first PSG adoption or planning a complex multi-grant EDG project, we can advise on eligibility, documentation, and project scoping to maximise your chances of approval.
Contact us today to discuss which Singapore government grant is right for your business.
— The Editorial Team, Raffles Corporate Services