These mistakes seem small but will get your PSG application rejected instantly.
Pitfall 1: Any Pre-Payment or Deposit
The mistake: Paying a deposit to “secure” your vendor before submitting your application.
Why it fails: PSG has the strictest pre-payment rule of any grant. ANY form of payment or deposit before application submission disqualifies you.
Common traps:
- Signing deposit to reserve a slot
- Paying partial upfront to start work
- Credit card hold for subscription
- Any financial commitment to the vendor
The fix: Do NOT pay anything—not even a small deposit—until your application is submitted. Get quotations only.
Pitfall 2: Wrong Vendor for IT Solutions
The mistake: Getting a quotation from a vendor who isn’t pre-approved for that specific solution.
Why it fails: For IT solutions, you MUST use the pre-approved vendor listed for that solution package.
How to verify:
- Go to GoBusiness Gov Assist
- Find your solution
- Check the approved vendor list
- Get quotation from THAT vendor only
The fix: Always verify vendor approval before requesting a quotation.
Pitfall 3: Administrative Fees in Quotation
The mistake: Including delivery, installation, or setup fees in your grant application.
Why it fails: PSG only covers the actual purchase cost of the solution. Administrative fees are explicitly excluded.
Not covered:
- Delivery fees
- Installation charges
- Setup fees
- Training (unless bundled in approved package)
- Maintenance fees
The fix: Ensure your quotation separates purchase cost from admin fees. Only claim the purchase portion.
Pitfall 4: Quotation Doesn’t Match Annex 3
The mistake: Getting a generic quotation that doesn’t match the PSG solution specifications.
Why it fails: For IT solutions, the items and costs must exactly match Annex 3 of the selected PSG pre-approved solution package.
What Annex 3 contains:
- Specific software/hardware items
- Approved pricing
- Mandatory specifications
The fix: Ask your vendor for a “PSG-compliant quotation” that references Annex 3.
Pitfall 5: Missing 30-Day Usage Proof
The mistake: Submitting a claim immediately after installation without proof of usage.
Why it fails: PSG requires your solution to be deployed and used for at least 30 days before you can claim.
Claims requirements:
- IT solutions: Usage report showing 1 month of use
- IT solutions: Photo of software license number
- Equipment: Photo of equipment serial number
The fix: Wait 30 days after deployment. Document your usage. Then submit your claim.
Bonus: Group Application Attempt
The mistake: Trying to apply as a group of companies or using one UEN for multiple applications.
Why it fails: Each Unique Entity Number (UEN) can only have one application submission. No group applications allowed.
The fix: Each company applies separately under its own UEN.
Pre-Submission Checklist
Before clicking submit:
- NO payment or deposit made to vendorNot completed
- Vendor is pre-approved for this solutionNot completed
- Quotation matches Annex 3 (for IT solutions)Not completed
- Admin fees separated from purchase costNot completed
- Company name on quotation matches ACRA exactlyNot completed
- Not an excluded entity typeNot completed
Claims Checklist
Before claiming:
- Solution deployed for at least 30 daysNot completed
- Full payment made to vendorNot completed
- Invoice addressed to ACRA company nameNot completed
- Usage report prepared (IT solutions)Not completed
- License/serial number photo takenNot completed
- PayNow Corporate or GIRO set upNot completed
Related Guides
-
PSG Annex 3 Explained — how to match quotations to Annex 3
-
Grant Pitfalls Guide — common mistakes to avoid
-
Singapore Grants Glossary — key terms and definitions
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