Singapore’s SME grant landscape can be bewildering. The Enterprise Development Grant (EDG), Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG), and Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant are three of the most widely used business grants in Singapore — each serving a different purpose, covering different activities, and suited to a different stage of business growth.

Making the wrong choice wastes time. Applying for EDG when you need PSG means a longer wait and more paperwork than necessary. Applying for MRA when you want to improve domestic productivity misses the point entirely. This guide cuts through the confusion with a clear comparison of all three grants, a decision framework, and important news about the upcoming EDGE consolidation.

Overview: What Each Grant Is For

Grant Primary Purpose Funding Support Processing Time
PSG Adopt pre-approved digital/productivity solutions Up to 50% of costs (capped at S$30,000) ~6 weeks
EDG Fund custom transformation and capability projects Up to 50% of qualifying costs (no cap) 8–12 weeks
MRA Support overseas market entry and expansion Up to 70% of eligible costs (capped at S$100,000 per market) 6–8 weeks

The Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG)

The PSG is the most accessible and fastest of the three grants. It co-funds the adoption of pre-approved IT solutions and equipment that boost productivity. Unlike EDG and MRA, there is no need to hire a consultant or justify a business case — you simply choose an approved solution from the pre-vetted list.

What PSG Covers

  • Pre-approved software solutions (accounting, HR, CRM, project management, cybersecurity, etc.)
  • Pre-approved equipment (for certain industries such as retail, food & beverage, logistics)
  • Implementation and training costs for approved solutions

Eligibility

  • Registered and operating in Singapore.
  • At least 30% local shareholding (by Singapore Citizens or PRs).
  • SME size: group annual turnover ≤ S$100 million, or group employment size ≤ 200 employees.
  • The solution must be new to the company (not already in use).

PSG Funding Details

  • Funding support: up to 50% of qualifying costs.
  • Maximum claim: S$30,000 per application.
  • Claims are reimbursement-based — you pay the vendor, claim from Enterprise Singapore.
  • Processing time: approximately 6 weeks from application to approval.

Best For

PSG is ideal if your company needs to digitise or automate a specific process and the solution you need appears on Enterprise Singapore’s approved list. It is the fastest and simplest grant to apply for, and many businesses use PSG as an entry point to government grant funding.

For more detail, see our comprehensive guide on the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG).

The Enterprise Development Grant (EDG)

The EDG is the most flexible and comprehensive of the three grants. It supports custom, project-based business transformation — covering strategy, capability development, and innovation. Unlike PSG, there is no pre-approved solution list; you define your own project scope with a qualified consultant.

What EDG Covers

The EDG covers three broad categories:

  • Core Capabilities: Business strategy, financial management, human capital development, service excellence, strategic brand and marketing.
  • Innovation and Productivity: Process redesign, product development, automation, and technology adoption beyond pre-approved solutions.
  • Market Access: Overseas market set-up, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property management.

Eligible costs include third-party consultancy fees, software and equipment costs, and internal manpower costs directly attributable to the project.

Eligibility

  • Registered and operating in Singapore.
  • At least 30% local shareholding.
  • SME size: group annual turnover ≤ S$100 million or ≤ 200 employees.
  • The project must be delivered by a qualified third-party consultant (certified under TR 43 or SS 680 standards, where applicable).

EDG Funding Details

  • Funding support: up to 50% of qualifying project costs for most SMEs (up to 70% for sustainability-related projects).
  • No cap on total funding amount — the grant scales with your project size.
  • Claims are also reimbursement-based.
  • Processing time: approximately 8–12 weeks from application to approval.

Best For

EDG is best for companies pursuing significant transformation — a new business strategy, a major process overhaul, or an innovation project — that cannot be addressed by a pre-approved PSG solution. It requires more investment of time and documentation upfront but offers higher potential funding.

For more detail, see our guide on the Enterprise Development Grant (EDG).

The Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant

The MRA Grant is specifically designed for Singapore SMEs looking to expand into overseas markets. If your business growth strategy involves entering new international markets, the MRA is the right starting point.

What MRA Covers

  • Overseas market set-up: Business incorporation and registration in a new market.
  • Market promotion: Participation in overseas trade shows, virtual trade missions, and business matching.
  • Overseas business development: Engaging local market consultants, identifying distributors or partners, conducting market research.

Eligibility

  • Registered and operating in Singapore.
  • At least 30% local shareholding.
  • SME size: group annual turnover ≤ S$100 million or ≤ 200 employees.
  • Activities must be for a new overseas market the company has not yet entered.

MRA Funding Details

  • Funding support: up to 70% of eligible costs.
  • Maximum: S$100,000 per company per new market.
  • Claims are reimbursement-based.
  • Processing time: approximately 6–8 weeks.

Best For

MRA is the right grant if you are ready to enter a new international market and need funding to cover the initial set-up and promotion costs. It does not fund ongoing operations — only market entry activities.

For more detail, see our article on the Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant.

Can You Apply for More Than One Grant?

Yes — it is possible to apply for multiple grants at the same time, provided they cover different scopes of work and different expense items. You cannot use two grants to co-fund the same cost item.

Common combinations include:

  • PSG + EDG: PSG funds a specific software solution; EDG funds a broader digital transformation or business strategy project.
  • EDG + MRA: EDG funds capability building or product development; MRA funds the subsequent overseas market entry.

For a deeper look at stacking strategies, see our overview of Singapore government grants for businesses.

Decision Framework: Which Grant Should You Apply For?

Use this decision tree to identify the right starting point:

  • Do you want to adopt a specific pre-approved software or equipment solution? → Apply for PSG.
  • Do you want to hire a consultant to help transform your business, develop capabilities, or redesign processes? → Apply for EDG.
  • Do you want to enter a new overseas market? → Apply for MRA.
  • Do you want to transform your business AND enter a new market? → Apply for both EDG (for the transformation) and MRA (for market entry), ensuring the scopes do not overlap.

Important Update: The EDGE Consolidation (H2 2026)

Enterprise Singapore has announced that EDG, PSG, and MRA will be consolidated into a single new framework called EDGE in the second half of 2026. The intent is to simplify the grant landscape and give businesses more flexibility in how they use government support.

However, until EDGE goes live:

  • EDG, PSG, and MRA remain fully operational and accepting new applications.
  • Approval timelines and funding levels under the current framework are established and reliable.
  • There is no guarantee that EDGE terms will match or improve on current support levels.

Our recommendation: If you have an eligible project now, apply under the current framework. Do not wait for EDGE.

Common Mistakes When Applying

  • Starting work before approval: All three grants require you to receive in-principle approval before incurring the eligible costs. Starting a project before your grant is approved will disqualify those costs.
  • Choosing a non-approved PSG vendor: PSG only covers pre-approved solutions. Check the Enterprise Singapore approved vendor list before committing to a vendor.
  • Misidentifying the overseas market for MRA: MRA requires the market to be a genuinely new entry. Companies already established in a market are not eligible for that market under MRA.
  • Underestimating EDG documentation requirements: EDG proposals require a detailed project plan, budget, and justification. Engaging an experienced consultant from the outset saves time and strengthens your application.

How Raffles Corporate Services Can Help

Identifying the right grant, preparing a compelling application, and managing the claims process requires specialist knowledge. At Raffles Corporate Services, our grants team assists Singapore SMEs with PSG, EDG, and MRA applications — from eligibility assessment and proposal writing through to claims submission and post-grant compliance. We ensure you apply for the right grant, under the right scope, at the right time.

Contact us for a free grant eligibility assessment.

— The Editorial Team, Raffles Corporate Services