How to Get Government AI Grants in Singapore 2026

Published June 2026 | 12 min read

The Good News: Government Funds AI Adoption

Singapore's government supports SMEs adopting AI. For eligible companies and projects, a grant can cover a meaningful share of the cost. Below is what the two main schemes actually offer — and the rule that disqualifies more applicants than any other.

            ⚠️ The rule most applicants trip on

            You must not sign a contract, make payment, or start the project before your application
            is approved. Doing so generally disqualifies the project. If you think a grant may apply, get the
            application in first.
        

Available Government Programs

            EDG (Enterprise Development Grant)

            Support level: Up to 50% of qualifying costs for SMEs (up to 30% for non-SMEs)

            Cap: No fixed cap — assessed per project

            Best for: Custom-built projects, including bespoke AI workflows

            Administered by: Enterprise Singapore

Eligibility for both generally requires a Singapore-registered entity with at least 30% local shareholding, group annual turnover of not more than S$100 million or group employment of not more than 200 employees. Criteria and support levels are set by the administering agencies and can change.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Eligibility Check (1-2 hours)
Registered in Singapore? <200 employees?

Step 2: Define Your Project (3-5 hours)
What process? What problem? Expected impact? Total cost?

Step 3: Get Vendor Quotes (1-2 weeks)
Setup cost, training, monthly recurring, total project cost.

Step 4: Submit Application (2-3 hours)
Company info, project description, cost breakdown, expected ROI.

Step 5: Wait for Approval (6-8 weeks)
Government reviews. May request additional info.

Step 6: Implement & Claim (2-6 months)
Keep invoices. Document progress. Submit claim after completion.

Example: How Much You Can Get

            E-commerce company implementing AI customer support

            Total qualifying cost: S$25,000

            EDG support at up to 50%: S$12,500

            Your share: S$12,500

            Illustrative only. Support levels and eligibility are determined by Enterprise Singapore.

No grant? You can still do this. Smaller, self-funded projects are scoped to your budget and can start immediately — no application, no waiting for approval.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Starting before approval. The most common and most costly. Signing, paying or beginning work before your application is approved generally disqualifies the project.

Treating a custom build as an off-the-shelf purchase. Schemes differ by what they fund. Bespoke, built-for-you work is generally assessed under the EDG.

A vague project scope. Be specific about the process being improved, the outcome you expect, and how you will measure it.

            Important

            This article is general information, not legal, financial or grant-advisory advice, and it is
            not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Grant schemes, support levels, caps
            and eligibility criteria change and are determined solely by the administering agencies
            (Enterprise Singapore and IMDA). Nothing here is a representation that you will qualify for,
            or receive, any grant. Always confirm current requirements at the official sources below
            before making any commitment. Last reviewed: July 2026.
        

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Related Resources

EDG (Enterprise Singapore) | Business Grants Portal | AI Agents

AI ROI Analysis

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