Singapore Grants for Hiring & Training: Start Here

If you’re an SME building HR capabilities, EDG (Enterprise Development Grant) supports transformational HR projects including capability building, custom training programmes, and workforce transformation. This guide focuses on EDG’s Core Capabilities pillar for HR development.

Best-Fit Grants for HR Development

Start Here (Quick Pick)

You want to: Build HR capabilities, implement training programmes, or transform workforce management Budget: Transformational project (no fixed cap) Support level: 50% (or 70% for sustainability projects until Mar 2026) Best grant: EDG (Enterprise Development Grant) - Core Capabilities

Eligibility & Timing Rules

Basic eligibility:

• Registered and operating in Singapore
• At least 30% local equity
• Financially ready to complete project
• Project must not have commenced

Timing rule: DO NOT start the project before approval. Any work started before approval is not fundable.

EDG (Enterprise Development Grant) - Core Capabilities

What it is: Support for transformational HR projects that build organisational capabilities in strategy, finance, HR, or service excellence.

How much:

• Up to 50% support for qualifying costs
• Up to 70% for sustainability-related projects (until 31 March 2026)
• No fixed cap, but project must be transformational

Where: See more: Enterprise Development Grant

Why choose EDG for HR:

• Supports custom training programme design (not off-the-shelf courses)
• Covers HR process transformation and digitisation
• Includes talent management and workforce planning projects
• Flexible project scope for comprehensive HR development

What EDG Covers for HR

HR Transformation Projects

HR process redesign and digitisation:

• HR system implementation and integration
• Performance management system setup
• Employee data management platforms
• HR workflow automation

Workforce planning and restructuring:

• Organisational design and restructuring
• Workforce planning frameworks
• Job redesign and role mapping
• Organisational development initiatives

Training & Development

Custom training programme design:

• Leadership development programmes (custom-designed)
• Skills assessment and competency frameworks
• Training needs analysis and planning
• Learning pathway design

Note: Training must be part of a transformational project, not standalone courses.

Talent Management

Talent strategies and systems:

• Talent acquisition strategy development
• Succession planning frameworks
• Employee engagement and retention programmes
• HR technology implementation for talent management

What’s NOT Covered

EDG does NOT support:

• Individual course fees (not project-based)
• Salary top-ups or wage subsidies
• Direct hiring costs (recruitment agency fees as part of larger project may be considered)
• Off-the-shelf training courses without customisation
• One-off workshops not part of transformation

Fast Application Checklist (Copy/Paste)

Before you apply:

• Project has NOT started (no contracts signed, no work commenced)
• Company is registered in Singapore with at least 30% local equity
• Project is transformational (not business-as-usual)
• You have defined clear HR capability outcomes
• Budget includes qualifying costs only (not salaries or subsidies)

Documents to prepare:

• Company profile and financial statements
• Project proposal with clear transformation outcomes
• Detailed project plan and timeline
• Itemised budget with vendor quotations
• HR capability assessment (current vs. target state)

Application steps:

1. Prepare Corppass login (see: Corppass Setup Guide)
2. Submit application via Business Grants Portal
3. Wait for approval before starting project
4. Implement project according to approved scope
5. Submit claims with supporting documents

Common Pitfalls (Avoid Rejection)

Starting before approval:

• Any work started before approval is not fundable
• Wait for official approval letter before signing contracts

Treating training as standalone:

• EDG supports training as part of transformation projects
• Not for individual course fees or one-off workshops
• Must demonstrate how training builds organisational capability

Poor project scope definition:

• Be specific about transformation outcomes
• Show clear before/after state of HR capabilities
• Link activities to measurable HR improvements

Confusing wage subsidies with grants:

• EDG does not cover salary top-ups
• Wage subsidies are separate programmes (WSG)
• Focus on capability-building costs

Incomplete budget justification:

• Provide detailed breakdown of all costs
• Include vendor quotations
• Explain why costs are necessary for transformation

See also: Grant Pitfalls Guide for detailed rejection reasons.

Alternative Options (Outside This Guide)

EDG focuses on transformational HR projects. For other HR support:

• SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit: Training credits for course fees (not covered here - separate SkillsFuture programme)
• Workforce Singapore programmes: Job redesign, career conversion, hiring support (not covered here - separate WSG programmes)
• Career Conversion Programmes: Mid-career hiring and training (not covered here)

Note: Check SkillsFuture (myskillsfuture.gov.sg) and WSG (wsg.gov.sg) websites directly for these options.

Glossary (Quick Definitions)

Transformational project: Projects that fundamentally change how your organisation builds and manages HR capabilities (not business-as-usual improvements).

Core capabilities: Strategic areas including strategy, finance, HR, and service excellence that drive organisational performance.

Custom training programme: Training designed specifically for your organisation’s needs (not off-the-shelf courses).

Qualifying costs: Costs that are eligible for grant support (e.g., consultancy, software, training design - not salaries or wage subsidies).

Corppass: Singapore’s authentication system for business transactions with government (required for grant applications).

See full definitions: Singapore Grants Glossary

Related Guides

• Grant Pitfalls Guide - Common rejection reasons and how to avoid them
• Corppass Setup Guide - Step-by-step Corppass setup for grant applications
• PSG vs EDG Decision Matrix - When to use PSG vs EDG for your project
• Singapore Grants Glossary - Full definitions of grant terms

Official Links

• Business Grants Portal (BGP): https://www.apply.gov.sg/grants/business
• EnterpriseSG EDG page: https://www.enterprisesg.gov.sg/financial-support/enterprise-development-grant
• SkillsFuture Singapore: https://www.myskillsfuture.gov.sg/
• Workforce Singapore: https://www.wsg.gov.sg/