If your Singapore company is planning to expand overseas, the Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant could cover up to 50% of your eligible costs. Administered by Enterprise Singapore, it is one of the most practical government grants available to Singapore SMEs in 2026 — yet many businesses either do not know about it or miss out because they apply too late.

This guide covers everything you need to know about the MRA Grant in 2026: what it funds, who qualifies, how much you can claim, and how to apply successfully.

What Is the MRA Grant?

The Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant is a Singapore government grant designed to help local companies expand into overseas markets. It subsidises the cost of market entry activities — including overseas market promotion, business development missions, and market set-up activities such as foreign entity establishment and franchise or licensing arrangements.

The grant is administered by Enterprise Singapore under the Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) framework and is specifically targeted at companies that are ready to internationalise but need financial support to make the first move into a new market.

MRA Grant 2026: What’s Funded and How Much Can You Claim?

The MRA Grant covers up to 50% of eligible costs, subject to a cap of S$100,000 per company per new overseas market. The S$100,000 cap applies per new market and covers a maximum of three eligible activities across three market entry categories:

CategoryEligible ActivitiesMax Grant Cap per Activity
Overseas Market PromotionParticipation in overseas trade fairs, overseas business missions, overseas marketing activitiesS$20,000
Business DevelopmentOverseas market assessment, overseas legal and regulatory advisoryS$30,000
Market Entry (Set-Up)Establishing an overseas entity (company, branch, representative office), overseas franchise or licensingS$50,000

Each category has its own cost cap, and you can apply for activities in more than one category simultaneously for the same overseas market. The total grant disbursed per company per new market is capped at S$100,000.

Who Qualifies for the MRA Grant?

To be eligible for the MRA Grant in 2026, your company must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Incorporated and registered in Singapore — the applicant entity must be a Singapore-registered business
  • At least 30% local shareholding — Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents must collectively hold at least 30% of the company’s shares
  • SME size criteria — the company must have no more than 200 employees or an annual turnover of no more than S$100 million (assessed at the group level)
  • New market entry — the activities must be for a market that the company has not previously operated in, or for a new line of business in that market
  • Apply before activities commence — applications must be submitted at least 30 days before the project start date; costs incurred before the approval date are not eligible

The 30% local shareholding requirement is worth paying close attention to if your company has foreign investors or is majority foreign-owned. Companies where foreign shareholders collectively hold more than 70% are not eligible.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for the MRA Grant

Step 1: Register on the Business Grants Portal

All MRA Grant applications are submitted through the Business Grants Portal (BGP), which is accessible via your CorpPass account. If your company does not yet have CorpPass set up, you will need to do this first — read our guide to setting up CorpPass for your Singapore company.

Step 2: Prepare Your Supporting Documents

Before starting the application, gather the following:

  • Company ACRA BizFile+ profile (downloadable from acra.gov.sg)
  • Latest two years’ audited financial statements or management accounts
  • Project proposal or scope of work from your service provider
  • Quotation from your service provider (must be an approved Enterprise Singapore service provider for certain activities)
  • Company profile and description of the target overseas market
  • Explanation of why this market is new to the company

Step 3: Submit at Least 30 Days in Advance

The single most common reason MRA Grant applications fail is that companies apply after the activity has already started. Enterprise Singapore will not reimburse costs incurred before the official approval date. Build your timeline around this: if you are planning an overseas trade fair in September, your application should be submitted no later than early August.

Step 4: Await Assessment and Approval

Enterprise Singapore typically processes MRA Grant applications within four to six weeks. During assessment, an Enterprise Singapore officer may contact you for additional information or to schedule a meeting to discuss your internationalisation plans.

Step 5: Proceed With Activities and Claim Reimbursement

Once you receive the Letter of Offer (LOO), you can proceed with your approved activities. After completing the project, submit your disbursement claim through the BGP with:

  • Invoices and receipts from your service provider
  • Proof of payment (bank statements or payment confirmations)
  • Deliverables or evidence of the completed activity (event photos, reports, registration documents)

Reimbursement is made after the claim is verified — typically within four to eight weeks of a complete submission.

Common Mistakes That Get MRA Grant Applications Rejected

Based on the experience of Singapore SMEs applying for the MRA Grant, the most common pitfalls are:

  • Applying too late — costs incurred before the approval date are automatically ineligible, even if your application is ultimately approved
  • Using an ineligible service provider — for certain activities, Enterprise Singapore requires you to engage an approved panel service provider; check the BGP’s service provider directory before signing any contract
  • Claiming for ineligible cost items — travel and accommodation are generally not covered under the MRA Grant; the grant covers professional fees for the specific eligible activities listed above
  • Not demonstrating “new market” status — if your company already has a presence or revenue in the target market, Enterprise Singapore may determine that it is not a genuinely new market for you; prepare documentation showing the absence of prior business activity there
  • Failing the 30% local shareholding test — if your cap table has changed recently (for example, after a fundraising round), double-check your shareholding structure before applying

MRA Grant vs EDG: Which One Is Right for You?

The MRA Grant and the Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) are both administered by Enterprise Singapore, but they serve different purposes:

  • The MRA Grant is specifically for internationalisation activities — entering new overseas markets
  • The EDG covers a broader range of business development activities, including capability building, innovation, and productivity improvement, as well as internationalisation — but the application process is more complex and the assessment is more rigorous

If your goal is specifically to expand into a new country or market, the MRA Grant is faster and simpler to apply for. If you have broader business development needs — for example, implementing a new CRM system or restructuring your operations — the EDG is worth exploring.

Can Foreign-Owned Companies Apply for the MRA Grant?

A company where Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents collectively hold less than 30% of shares is not eligible for the MRA Grant. This is one of the reasons that shareholding structure matters for foreign founders — beyond tax considerations, it affects access to government grants and support schemes.

Wholly foreign-owned Singapore companies can explore other Enterprise Singapore programmes, including the Global Company Partnership (GCP) programme, which has different eligibility criteria. Speak with an Enterprise Singapore account manager or reach out to a corporate services firm for advice tailored to your shareholding structure.

Combining the MRA Grant With Other Support

The MRA Grant can sometimes be combined with other forms of Singapore government support, including:

  • Singapore Business Federation (SBF) trade missions — SBF regularly organises overseas trade missions to key markets; MRA Grant funding can be used to offset participation fees
  • IMDA Grow Digital programme — for digital marketing and e-commerce expansion into overseas markets
  • Overseas offices of Enterprise Singapore — Enterprise Singapore has offices in more than 35 cities worldwide that can provide on-the-ground market intelligence and introductions; their support is free and separate from the MRA Grant

The key rule is that the same cost item cannot be double-funded — you cannot claim the same invoice under both the MRA Grant and another government grant. However, using complementary forms of support (for example, free advisory from an Enterprise Singapore overseas office alongside a funded market assessment under the MRA Grant) is perfectly acceptable and encouraged.

Structuring Your Singapore Company for Grant Eligibility

If you are in the process of setting up or restructuring your Singapore company and internationalisation is part of your plan, it is worth thinking about grant eligibility at the incorporation stage. Key considerations include:

  • Ensuring at least 30% of shares are held by Singapore Citizens or PRs if you anticipate applying for the MRA Grant or other SME-targeted grants
  • Keeping your employee headcount and turnover figures within the SME thresholds if possible
  • Choosing the right company structure — a Singapore private limited company is generally the most grant-eligible structure; read our comparison of sole proprietorship vs private limited company if you are still deciding

For personalised advice on structuring your company for both tax efficiency and grant eligibility, our team at Raffles Corporate Services can help.

How Singapore Secretary Services Can Help

Navigating government grant applications alongside your day-to-day business operations can be time-consuming. Our team can help you:

  • Assess your eligibility before you invest time in an application
  • Structure your overseas expansion activities to maximise grant coverage
  • Prepare the supporting documentation and project proposal
  • Submit and manage the application on your behalf through the Business Grants Portal

Talk to Raffles Corporate Services

Need help assessing your MRA Grant eligibility or preparing your application? Contact Raffles Corporate Services — our team handles company incorporation, corporate secretarial services, and business grant advisory for Singapore SMEs.

📞 +65 6589 8978
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.rafflescorporateservices.com

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