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Overview 7 January 2026 6 min read

Singapore Grant Application Pitfalls: Avoid Rejection

This guide lists the most common pitfalls for each grant scheme, based on the scheme pages. Use it as a quick pre-check before you apply. The #1 rejection reason across all schemes is starting work, paying deposits, or signing contracts before submission. This comprehensive guide covers scheme-specific pitfalls for PSG, EDG, EEG, MRA, BizAdapt, and other grants to help you avoid rejection.

Verified 13 January 2026
In this guide

This guide lists the most common pitfalls for each grant scheme, based on the scheme pages. Use it as a quick pre-check before you apply.

How to use this guide

  1. Find the scheme you plan to apply for.
  2. Scan the pitfalls and confirm none apply to your project.
  3. If any risk applies, fix it before you submit.

Most Common Pitfalls (Across Schemes)

  • Starting work, paying deposits, or signing contracts before submission.
  • Submitting incomplete applications or missing required documents.
  • Not meeting eligibility criteria (e.g., entity type, local shareholding, revenue caps).
  • Applying under the wrong scheme or wrong sub-scheme for your activity.

Scheme Pitfalls

Business Adaptation Grant

Also known as BizAdapt.

  • Retrospective applications not permitted; apply no more than 6 months before project start.
  • Must use pre-approved vendors for advisory activities (FTA/trade compliance, legal/contractual, supply chain optimization).
  • Group applications are not allowed.
  • Each project should not exceed 24 months.
  • Reconfiguration support requires at least 51% ownership of manufacturing operations.

See more: Business Adaptation Grant

Energy Efficiency Grant

Also known as EEG.

  • Retrospective applications not permitted; do not pay or place deposits before submission.
  • Equipment procurement must not have commenced before application.
  • Must not have signed contractual agreements with vendors before application.
  • Equipment must be used in Singapore.
  • Missing required documents (quotations, product brochures, tenancy agreements, financial statements) will delay processing.

See more: Energy Efficiency Grant

Enterprise Development Grant

Also known as EDG.

  • Project is considered commenced if work started, payment made, or contract signed before application.
  • Incomplete applications will be rejected; resubmit only when all required information is complete.

See more: Enterprise Development Grant

Enterprise Financing Scheme

Also known as EFS.

  • Incomplete loan applications may be rejected by participating Financial Institutions.
  • Not meeting eligibility criteria (30% local shareholding, S$500M turnover cap) will disqualify applications.
  • Missing required documentation will delay processing.
  • This is a risk-sharing scheme, not direct funding.
  • Applying for the wrong loan type for your business needs.

See more: Enterprise Financing Scheme

Enterprise Financing Scheme – Venture Debt

Also known as EFS-VD.

  • Borrowers remain fully responsible for repaying 100% of the loan amount despite government risk-sharing.
  • Loan approvals are subject to participating Financial Institution’s credit assessment and may be rejected.
  • Exceeding borrower group limits (S$20 million for EFS-VD, S$50 million overall across all facilities) prevents additional financing.
  • Not meeting the 30% local equity requirement results in ineligibility.
  • Group Annual Sales Turnover exceeding S$500 million disqualifies the company.

See more: Enterprise Financing Scheme – Venture Debt

Market Readiness Assistance

Also known as MRA.

  • Retrospective applications not permitted; project must not have started, payment must not have been made, and contract must not have been signed before submission.
  • Each project cannot exceed 12 months.
  • Each application is limited to one activity in a single overseas market.
  • Applications should be submitted 6 months or less prior to project start date.
  • Group applications (two or more companies) are not allowed.

See more: Market Readiness Assistance

MRA: Overseas Market Promotion

  • LEAD-supported trade fairs are not eligible.
  • Booth space capped at 36 sqm.
  • Must be international trade fairs.
  • Company name/brand must be displayed.
  • B2C fairs and co-sharing booths are not supported.
  • Trade fairs exception: applications can be submitted up to 6 months before event.

See more: MRA: Overseas Market Promotion

MRA: Overseas Business Development

  • OBD projects must be at least 6 months.
  • Business matching is primarily in-person.
  • OMP supports basic salary only.
  • BD staff must be stationed in market.
  • Owners/shareholders are not supported under OMP.
  • In-house manpower is not supported.
  • Concurrent OBD fees in the same market are not supported.

See more: MRA: Overseas Business Development

MRA: Overseas Market Set-up

  • Entity must be registered with applicant company as corporate shareholder.
  • IP must be owned by the grant applicant.
  • International IP systems can cover multiple markets in one application.
  • Direct national IP requires a separate application per market.
  • Standalone objection costs are not supported after claim approval.

See more: MRA: Overseas Market Set-up

Productivity Solutions Grant

Also known as PSG.

  • Retrospective applications not permitted; do not pay or place deposits before submission.
  • Must use pre-approved solutions from the PSG catalog.
  • IT solutions must use pre-approved vendors only (equipment can use any vendor).
  • Group applications (two or more companies) are not allowed.
  • Each UEN is limited to one application at a time.
  • Administrative fees (delivery, installation) are not covered.
  • Annual grant cap applies per company (S$30,000 from 1 Apr to 31 Mar).

See more: Productivity Solutions Grant

Startup SG Accelerator

  • Applying without a proven track record in nurturing startups.
  • Programme not aligned with strategic sectors or high-potential startup focus.
  • Incomplete application materials or missing required documentation.
  • Not meeting accreditation or partnership requirements.
  • Insufficient demonstration of capability to provide mentorship and market access support.

See more: Startup SG Accelerator

Startup SG Founder

  • Applying under an ineligible entity (not a Private Limited, or incorporated more than 6 months at point of application to AMP).
  • Not meeting shareholding requirements (must maintain at least 51% SC/PR shareholdings).
  • Applying for an excluded business category (e.g., F&B outlets, bars/night clubs, massage parlours, gambling/prostitution/escort services, employment agencies, geomancy).
  • Incomplete applications are not entertained.
  • Under-preparing co-matching capital (at least 50% of the 1:1 match must be paid-up capital reflected on ACRA BizFile at submission).

See more: Startup SG Founder

Startup SG Tech

  • Starting work before submission (projects must not have commenced at the time of application).
  • Treating system integration of off-the-shelf components as “proprietary technology”.
  • Applying without meeting paid-up capital expectations (at least 10% of POC grant or at least 20% of POV grant).
  • Applying as an ineligible entity type (e.g., non-Private Limited entity, company older than 10 years, corporate subsidiary at incorporation).
  • Planning core R&D work outside Singapore without a clear justification.

See more: Startup SG Tech

Decision Matrices

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Related Grants You May Be Interested In

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Progressive Wage Credit Scheme (PWCS)

Supports employers who raise wages for lower-wage workers to encourage wage progression and workforce retention.

Double Tax Deduction for Internationalisation (DTDi)

Automatic tax deduction for international market development and investment activities. Enjoy double tax deduction on first S$400,000 of eligible expenses for overseas expansion (from YA 2027; previously S$150,000).

Related Guides

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Budget 2026 AI & Innovation Grants: What Changed for Singapore SMEs Complete overview of Budget 2026 AI and innovation changes: EIS AI activity (400% on S$50K), PSG AI expansion, CIT 40% rebate + S$1,500 cash grant.
Budget 2026 Internationalisation Grants: What Changed for Singapore SMEs Complete overview of Budget 2026 changes to Singapore internationalisation grants: MRA 70%, DTDi S$400K, BizAdapt/GIA enhancements, EFS cap changes.
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