Singapore SMEs have access to one of the most generous government grant ecosystems in the world. But the three flagship Enterprise Singapore grants — the Enterprise Development Grant (EDG), the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG), and the Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) grant — serve very different purposes. Pick the wrong one and you waste an application; pick wisely and you can offset 50–70% of qualifying costs across multiple grants in the same year.
This guide compares the three grants head-to-head and helps you choose the right one (or combination) for your business in 2026.
At a Glance: The Three Grants Compared
| Feature | EDG | PSG | MRA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Bespoke transformation projects | Adopt pre-approved IT/equipment solutions | Overseas market entry |
| Funding level (SMEs) | Up to 50% | Up to 50% | Up to 50% |
| Cap | Project-specific (often S$30k–S$500k) | Solution-specific cap | S$100,000 per new market |
| Approval timeline | ~3–6 months | ~2–6 weeks | ~6–8 weeks |
| Complexity | High (full proposal, consultants) | Low (choose from list) | Medium |
| Best for | Strategic transformation | Off-the-shelf productivity tools | Going overseas |
Enterprise Development Grant (EDG): The Big-Ticket Transformation Grant
The EDG funds bespoke projects that build deeper capabilities, innovation, and internationalisation. It is administered by Enterprise Singapore and replaced the older Capability Development Grant and Global Company Partnership in 2018.
Three EDG project pillars
- Core Capabilities — strategic brand development, financial management, human capital development, service excellence, strategic brand & marketing development.
- Innovation & Productivity — automation, process redesign, product development, technology adoption.
- Market Access — overseas market expansion through deeper, larger market entry projects (typically larger than MRA).
EDG funding levels
- SMEs: up to 50% of qualifying project costs.
- Non-SMEs: up to 30%.
- Manpower: only Singaporean and PR salaries are claimable.
- Qualifying costs cover consultancy fees, software, hardware, manpower (capped), and certification.
EDG eligibility
Your company must be registered and operating in Singapore, have at least 30% local shareholding, and be financially viable. There is no minimum revenue threshold but project ambition matters.
Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG): Plug-and-Play Productivity
The PSG is the easiest of the three to apply for. Instead of designing a bespoke project, you pick from a list of pre-approved solutions on the BusinessGrants Portal. These cover accounting software, HR/payroll, CRM, inventory, retail POS, F&B systems, cybersecurity, and industry-specific solutions across about 30 sectors.
How PSG works
- Identify your need (e.g. accounting software, e-commerce platform).
- Browse the pre-approved solutions list at GoBusiness.
- Get a quote from the approved vendor.
- Submit a PSG application on the BusinessGrants Portal.
- On approval, purchase and claim the grant.
PSG funding level
Up to 50% co-funding on qualifying costs, with each solution carrying a cap. Total annual PSG support per company is capped at S$30,000.
See: PSG Singapore 2026 — pre-approved solutions and application process.
Market Readiness Assistance (MRA): The “Go Global” Grant
The MRA grant specifically targets overseas market expansion. It funds up to 50% of qualifying costs per new overseas market, capped at S$100,000 per market over a defined support period (currently 31 March 2026).
What MRA covers
- Overseas market promotion (trade fairs, marketing campaigns).
- Overseas business development (consultancy, in-market hires).
- Overseas market set-up (entity incorporation, IP registration overseas).
MRA eligibility
- Registered and operating in Singapore.
- At least 30% local shareholding.
- Group annual sales ≤ S$100m, OR group employment ≤ 200.
- Not have more than 1 year of overseas revenue in the target market.
See: MRA Grant 2026 — eligible markets and application.
Which One Should You Pick?
Pick PSG if…
- You need a productivity tool that already exists on the pre-approved list.
- You want speed and minimal paperwork.
- Your spend is S$5,000–S$30,000.
Pick EDG if…
- You are running a transformative project: rebranding, automation, new product development.
- Your project is bespoke (not on any pre-approved list).
- Your spend exceeds S$30,000.
- You can engage a qualified consultant and write a detailed proposal.
Pick MRA if…
- You are entering a new overseas market for the first time.
- You will attend overseas trade fairs, run overseas marketing campaigns, or hire local market consultants.
- You meet the SME criteria (≤ S$100m group revenue or ≤ 200 staff).
Stacking Grants: Can You Use Multiple?
Yes — and many successful SMEs do. You cannot double-claim the same expense, but you can use PSG for your accounting software, EDG for a brand transformation, and MRA for an overseas trade fair in the same year. See our guide: How to Stack Singapore Government Grants.
You can also combine these with SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC) for an additional 90% reimbursement on top of co-funded amounts, capped at S$10,000 lifetime.
Application Tips That Improve Approval Odds
- Be specific about outcomes. Quantify productivity gains, revenue uplift, or cost savings.
- Show before-and-after. Reviewers want to understand the gap your project closes.
- Engage Enterprise Singapore early. For EDG, an informal pre-consultation can save months of revisions.
- Use experienced consultants. Approved EDG consultants understand the proposal format and pricing norms.
- Don’t start spending before approval. Expenses incurred before approval are not claimable.
After Approval: What You Must Do
Approval is just the start. You must:
- Stick to the approved scope and milestones.
- Keep all invoices, receipts and proof of payment.
- Submit claims with supporting documents.
- Comply with the audit (Enterprise Singapore may audit claims).
For post-approval obligations, see: After Your Grant Is Approved.
Useful Official Resources
If you would like help shortlisting the right grant and building a winning application, Raffles Corporate Services has a grants advisory team that has supported hundreds of SME applications across EDG, PSG, MRA and SFEC.
Related reading: Enterprise Financing Scheme 2026, Business Adaptation Grant (BizAdapt) 2026.
— The Editorial Team, Raffles Corporate Services