How Do Government Grants Help Your Business?

What is a government grant?

A grant is an amount of money that a government gives to an individual, business, or organization. It is essentially a monetary help. In recent years, the Singapore government has been actively promoting its pro-business friendly policies by providing a series of tax incentives, grants, subsidies, and funds to help SMEs grow their business. The SMEs can then use the grants in financing new projects, hiring new employees, or as cash flow in running a business. However, there are many grants out there so we would like to help small businesses understand the grants a little more.

What type of grants are there?

1. Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG)

What Is the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG)?

The Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) was launched in April 2018 to help businesses in their transformation journey. An initiative jointly launched by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Enterprise Singapore, the PSG supports companies keen on adopting IT solutions and equipment to enhance business processes.

What does the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) cover?

PSG not only covers sector-specific solutions including the retail, food, logistics, precision engineering, construction, and landscaping industries. Besides this, PSG also supports the adoption of cross-industry solutions, such as customer management, data analytics, financial management, and inventory tracking.

These solutions have been pre-determined by various government agencies such as Enterprise Singapore, National Environmental Agency (NEA), and Singapore Tourism Board (STB).

According to the PSG website, from 1 April 2023 onwards, the maximum support level will be up to 50%.

Eligibility criteria:

If you meet the following criteria, you can get up to 50% off the qualifying costs of using our services and solutions covered by the PSG grant.

How do I apply for PSG?

1. Choose the solution of your choice Business Grants Portal (BGP).

2. Identify approved solution providers. (Acc Pro (Singapore) Group is a pre-approved vendor of the PSG Grant.)

3. Get a quotation from the approved vendor.

4. Submit your application on the Business Grants Portal (BGP).

For more information on the Productivity Solutions Grant, check out at Go Business Singapore.

2. SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC)

What is the SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC)?

The SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC) is an additional subsidy that encourages employers to invest in enterprise transformation and the capabilities of their employees. There is no need to apply for SFEC. Enterprise Singapore will notify employers who meet the eligibility criteria in writing.

Eligibility criteria:

Eligible employers will receive a one-off $10,000 credit to cover up to 90% of out-of-pocket expenses on qualifying costs.

For more information on the SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC), check out the FAQs here.

3. Tech-and-GO! Funding

Tech-and-GO! Funding is a series of funding initiatives aiming to make adopting IT solutions and project consultancy to digitize data and automate processes more affordable for Social Service Agencies (SSAs) and Charities.

Funding for Social Service Agencies

NCSS funding supports the adoption of pre-scoped solutions, to help SSAs get started.

Funding amount

• Start Digital (Pre-scoped IT solutions and Green Lane solutions)

• Up to 80%, capped at $30,000* per SSA for pre-scoped solutions and green lane solutions.

• Go Digital (Large scale/specialized IT solutions)

• Up to 80%, capped at $300,000 per project. Find out more about Go Digital.

• Project Consultancy

• Advisory and consultancy services provided by pre-appointed consultants

• Technical Advisory (fully funded) to help SSAs identify pain points and recommend suitable IT solutions.

• Digital Implementation Consultancy and Digital Strategy Planning (funded up to 80%, capped at $40,000). SSAs can take up consultancy modules according to their needs and budget.

Eligibility criteria:

NCSS member or an SSA funded by MSF.

Funding for Charities

Go Digital (Tech Subsidies) funding aims to support charities to accelerate digital transformation.

Funding amount

• One-time implementation costs, which include 1st-year subscription and maintenance cost

• Up to 80% of the approved project cost or actual expenditure, whichever is lower. Capped at $300,000

• 2nd and 3rd-year recurrent costs (e.g. subscription and maintenance fees)

• Up to 50% of the approved recurrent costs or actual expenditure, whichever is lower. Capped at $300,000

Eligibility criteria:

Registered Charity and Institution of a Public Character (IPC) from Arts and Heritage, Community, Education, Health, Sports, and Other sectors can apply for Go Digital.

For more information on Tech-and GO!, please visit here.

4. Start Digital

Start Digital was launched in January 2019 to help newly incorporated SMEs and SMEs that are new to using digital technology run their business with digital solutions. SMEs that are new to using digital technology can take up any two digital solutions, at no cost for at least 6 months within a minimum 12-month contract period, from these categories:

• Accounting

• Human resources management system (HRMS) and payroll

• Digital marketing

• Digital transactions

• Cybersecurity

• Digital collaboration tools

What are the Benefits of the Start Digital for SMEs?

In addition to the benefits of digitalization, the Start Digital provides SMEs with the following advantages:

For more information on Start Digital, please visit here.

5. Enterprise Development Grant (EDG)

What is the Enterprise Development Grant (EDG)?

EDG (Enterprise Development Grant) is a programme managed by Enterprise Singapore (ESG). The EDG aims to help Singapore companies grow and transform.

Benefits of EDG

The EDG aims to help SMEs in Singapore by building internal capabilities in 3 main areas: Core Capabilities, Innovation and Productivity, and Market Access.

This grant supports projects that help you upgrade your business, innovate or venture overseas. Receive up to 50% support for eligible costs.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Business entity registered and incorporated in Singapore.

2. In a financially viable position to start and complete the project.

3. At least 30% local shareholding.

For more information on EDG, please visit here.

6. P-Max

What is the P-Max?

P-Max is a Place-and-Train Programme that aims to help SMEs recruit, train, manage and retain newly-hired PMETs through the adoption of progressive human resources practices. It also helps to place job-seeking PMETs into suitable jobs. There are 3 types of P-Max:

• P-Max: For SMEs hiring PMETs

• P-Max for Older Workers: A programme under the Adapt and Grow initiative that supports placing and retaining Singaporean PMETs aged 50 and above in SME jobs.

• P-Max Lite: Targets non-hiring supervisors in SMEs who are keen to learn progressive HR practices to better manage their existing staff.

Benefits of P-Max Scheme for SMEs

Eligibility Criteria (For SME):

1. Companies registered or incorporated in Singapore.

2. Employment size (at group level) of not more than 200; OR Annual sales turnover (at group level) of not more than S$100 million.

3. At least 30% local shareholding being held by Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident.

4. Hired a PMET within the last three months (i.e., 90 days) prior to enrolment into programme, offering a gross monthly salary of at least $2,500.

For more information on P-Max, please visit here.

7. Jobs Growth Incentive (JGI)

What is the Jobs Growth Incentive (JGI)?

Jobs Growth Incentive (JGI) is the government support businesses to expand their local hiring from September 2020 to March 2022 (inclusive). The main objective is to create good and long-term jobs for locals. Eligible companies do not need to apply and can expect to receive the JGI pay-outs automatically from March 2021. This will be calculated automatically every month based on their CPF contributions.

Benefits of JGI for SMEs

As we are in Phase 3 of JGI, companies hiring a new non-mature local employee (Singaporean Citizens and Singapore Permanent Residents aged below 40) can receive 15% salary support of first $5000 for up to 6 months, up to $4500 per hire. For each new mature local employee aged 40 and above, PwDs and ex-offenders, government support will increase to 50% of the first $6000 for up to 12 months, up to $36000 per hire.

Infographic Source: IRAS

Eligibility Criteria:

Employers must meet both criteria below:

• Increase overall local workforce size from baseline headcount in Sept 2021; and

• Increase local workforce size earning $1400 of gross monthly wages as compared to Sept 2021.

For more information on JGI, please visit here.

8. Professional Conversion Programmes (PCPs)

What are the Professional Conversion Programmes (PCPs)?

Professional Conversion Programmes (PCPs) are career conversion plans for PMETs in the mid-career transition period to transfer skills and move into new occupations or sectors. There are 3 types of PCPs and they are:

• Place-and-Train (PnT): PMET is hired by a participating employer before undergoing training to take on a new job role

• Attach-and-Train (AnT): PMET is provided with training and work attachments prior to job placement through industry partners

• Redeployment/Job Redesign (JR) Reskilling: For companies that are undergoing business transformation, and where their existing PMET workers are at risk of redundancy or in vulnerable jobs due to the transformation. These PMETs will be provided with training to take on new job roles or redesigned job roles within the same company.

Benefits of PCPs

1. Facilitate the recruitment of career changers to meet the manpower needs of employers.

2. Help mid-career PMETs regain skills and assume new job roles.

3. Leverage structured industry-recognized training.

4. Redeploy existing workforce as part of business transformation.

5. Minimise redundancies and reskill experienced employees to take on new job roles.

6. Tap on Government funding through Course Fee Grant and Salary Support / Training Allowance.

Funding support

​WSG’s Funding to Employers	Standard Rate (SCs/PRs below age of 40)	Enhanced Rate
Salary Support	Up to 70% of Monthly Salary for PCP training duration (capped at $4,000 per month)	Up to 90% of Monthly Salary for PCP training duration (capped at $6,000 per month) For Long-term Unemployed Singapore Citizen (SC) trainees Or Mature SC trainees
Course Fee Subsidy	Up to 70% Course Fees*	Up to 90% Course Fees* For SC/Permanent Resident (PR) trainees sponsored by SMEs or Mature SC trainees
	In-house training: Up to $15 per hour	In-house training: Up to $15 per hour

*Funding caps may apply

Am I eligible for the PCPs?

PMETs and companies must meet the following criteria:

For more information on Professional Conversion Programmes (PCPs), please visit here.

*Do note that the information provided may be subject to changes.

Please refer to the respective websites for the latest updates.

Conclusion

With so many grants and credits from the government, it is a little confusing to choose the right help for your business. Why not give us a call today at +65 6352 0103 (Ext 2)​? We are always ready to help you navigate through the complexity.