Every grant consultant’s website says you need one. But for many grants — especially PSG — you can apply yourself in under an hour. This guide helps you decide based on grant type, complexity, and your experience.
What are the key differences?
- DIY means you prepare and submit the application yourself through BGP (Business Grants Portal). No fees, but requires your time and knowledge of the grant requirements.
- Consultant means you hire a firm (typically TR 43 or SS 680 certified for EDG) to write the proposal, manage the application, and handle claims. Fees range from S$10K to S$100K+ depending on project size.
- Free alternatives exist: SME Centres offer free business advisory and grant guidance. BGP self-service handles PSG applications.
- Grantla is an intelligent platform that matches you to the right grant, checks eligibility, and prepares checklists and draft outlines. From S$999/case — faster than DIY, a fraction of consultant fees. You stay in control and submit through BGP yourself.
- Key rule: EDG management consultancy projects require TR 43/SS 680 certified consultants. PSG does not require any consultant.
Which approach should you choose?
| DIY | Grantla | Consultant | |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSG (pre-approved IT/equipment) | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| Simple MRA (single market, clear activity) | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| EDG under S$50K (repeat applicant) | ✓ | ✓ | — |
| EDG S$50K-100K (first-time applicant) | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| EDG over S$100K (complex transformation) | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multiple grants stacked together | — | ✓ | ✓ |
Legend: ✓ = Recommended approach | — = Not recommended
How do they compare at a glance?
| DIY | Grantla | Consultant | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | S$0 (your time only) | From S$999/case | S$10K-100K+ |
| Time investment | 2-20 hours | 30 minutes + review | 2-5 hours (brief + review) |
| Best for | PSG, simple grants | Any grant, first-time or repeat | Complex EDG, high-value |
| Proposal quality | Depends on your writing | Guided draft + checklists | Professional, structured |
| Claim management | You handle everything | Claims tracking support | Consultant manages claims |
How do you decide?
Step 1: What grant are you applying for?
Is your grant a PSG (pre-approved solution) or a simple MRA application?
Step 2: Assess your EDG project
DIY with SME Centre support
- EDG under S$50K
- You have applied for grants before
- Clear project scope, simple deliverables
Grantla (guided preparation)
- Any grant type, any experience level
- Want eligibility check + document checklists
- First-time applicant who wants guidance without S$10K+ fees
- Multiple grants to evaluate
Hire a certified consultant
- EDG over S$100K
- First-time applicant
- Complex multi-workstream transformation
- Sustainability project (70% support rate)
What are common scenarios?
- “I want to buy accounting software from the PSG list” → DIY — PSG applications are straightforward on BGP, no consultant needed
- “I’m a first-time applicant for a S$200K EDG project” → Consultant — complex proposal writing, certified consultant required for consultancy scope
- “I’ve done 3 PSG applications before and now want a small EDG” → DIY — your experience helps, and the scope is manageable
- “I need market entry research for Vietnam via MRA” → DIY — single market, clear activity scope, MRA is straightforward
- “I’m stacking EDG + MRA + EIS for a major expansion” → Consultant — multiple grants need coordinated proposals and compliance
- “First-time PSG applicant, want to make sure I don’t miss anything” → Grantla — eligibility check + document checklist for S$999, no consultant needed
- “I have 3 grants to evaluate and don’t know where to start” → Grantla — match to the right grants in 30 minutes, then apply yourself or escalate to consultant
- “I want help but can’t afford S$10K” → SME Centre — free consultations at any of 11 SME Centres across Singapore
What should you know before applying?
- Consultant fee structures vary: Some charge fixed fees (S$10K-30K for small EDG), others take a percentage of the approved grant (15-30%). Success-based fees are common but may cost more overall.
- “Free” consultants still cost you: Some consultants offer “free” applications but mark up vendor costs or take a cut of the grant. Read contracts carefully.
- SME Centres are genuinely free: Run by trade associations and appointed by Enterprise Singapore. They provide business advisory, grant guidance, and application support at no cost.
- EDG consultancy requires certification: If your EDG project involves management consultancy, the consultant must be TR 43 or SS 680 certified. Check the Enterprise Singapore website for the certified list.
- You still need to understand your project: Even with a consultant, you must define your business problem and expected outcomes. Consultants write the proposal — they don’t run your business.
- Grantla is not a consultant: It prepares checklists and draft outlines, but you submit through BGP yourself. Best for applicants who want guidance without giving up control.
Is this comparison right for you?
This guide is for Singapore SMEs deciding whether to hire a grant consultant or apply independently. Use this guide if you are comparing the cost and effort of DIY vs professional help.
Not what you need?
- Deciding between PSG and EDG? → PSG vs EDG Decision Matrix
- Comparing PSG, EDG, and MRA? → PSG vs EDG vs MRA
- First-time applicant? → First-Time Application Checklist
Related Guides
- PSG vs EDG Decision Matrix — choose between pre-approved IT and custom transformation
- PSG vs EDG vs MRA Comparison — 3-way comparison including overseas expansion
- First-Time Grant Application Checklist — complete preparation for your first grant
- Grant Pitfalls Guide — common mistakes to avoid
- Corppass Setup Guide — set up BGP access
- Singapore Grants Glossary
Official Links
Need help with your application?
Check if you're eligible and get your document checklist in 30 minutes.
Check Eligibility