Grants and Schemes for Security Agencies
There are many opportunities for funding that Agencies may seek out. The SAS Office of Industry Transformation has curated a list of possible funding sources that may be of particular interest to Members.
Members may also consult directly with SAS in further detail regarding funding matters. Inquiries may be sent to SAS via the contact page, or via email to sarah@sas.org.sg.
For tailored assistance on available government grants and schemes, this platform may be of help to members: https://gaeadviser.gobusiness.gov.sg/.
For an exhaustive list of all possible grants as of Budget 2021, please view here.
This page was last updated on 24 March 2021.
For Business Development and Innovation
Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) [Enhanced]
This Enterprise Singapore grant aims to help businesses grow and transform, funding new projects that focus on any one of three pillars: Core Capabilities, Innovation and Productivity, and Market Access.
Funding Level
The grant funds qualifying project costs namely third party consultancy fees, software and equipment, and internal manpower cost. As announced at Budget 2021, the enhanced maximum support level of up to 80% of project costs will be extended from 30 September 2021 to 31 March 2022.
- Unionised companies and e2i partners under the Labour Movement are eligible to receive an additional 10% funding, subject to NTUC-e2i’s endorsement.
- Eligible employers may also qualify for additional subsidies under the SkillsFuture Enterprise Credits (SFEC) scheme
Criteria
Businesses intending to apply must meet the following criteria:
- Be a business entity registered and operating in Singapore
- Have a minimum of 30% local shareholding
- Be in a financially viable position to start and complete the project
More details can be found here.
For Digitalisation
Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) [Enhanced]
This Enterprise Singapore grant supports companies keen on adopting pre-scoped IT solutions and equipment to enhance business processes and assist businesses in their transformation journey. The Enhanced PSG allows for greater support for more sector-specific solutions and a wider range of pre-scoped solutions for businesses beyond IT solutions and equipment.
Funding Level
The maximum funding support was raised from 70% to 80% from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2022.
Eligible employers may also qualify for additional subsidies under the SkillsFuture Enterprise Credits (SFEC) scheme.
Criteria and Application
SMEs can apply if they meet the following criteria:
- Registered and operating in Singapore
- Purchase/lease/subscription of the IT solutions or equipment must be used in Singapore
- (For selected solutions only) Have a minimum of 30% local shareholding; with Company’s Group annual sales turnover less than S$100 million, OR less than 200 employees
- (For selected solutions only) Have at least three local employees at the point of application
Applications may be submitted via the Business Grant Portal (BGP), requiring the use of a CorpPass.
More details can be found here.
SMEs Go Digital Programme
This programme by various government agencies helps businesses develop digital capabilities. Some relevant programmes for Members are as follows:
Advanced Digital Solutions
Several security technology projects are available from 1 July 2020 to 12 July 2021.
Funding Level
Businesses can receive up to 80% funding support for the qualifying costs of digital solutions.
Criteria
- Be registered and operating in Singapore
- Have a minimum of 30% local shareholding; and
- Be in a financially viable position to start and complete the project.
More details can be found here.
Chief Technology Officer-as-a-Service (CTOaaS)
This initiative by IMDA helps SMEs identify and access resources they need to digitally transform. It includes quick access to digitalisation resources via a web application and a shared pool of skilled CTOs for SMEs that need more in-depth digital advisory.
Further information will be shared later in the year. More details can be found here.
For Jobs and Skills Upgrade
Jobs Growth Incentive (JGI)
The JGI aims to create good and long-term jobs for locals.
Funding Level
The JGI supports employers by providing one year of salary support for each new local hire by employers that managed to increase their local workforce from September 2020 to September 2021 (inclusive).
- 25% of first $5,000 of gross monthly wages, up to 12 months
- 50% of first $5,000 of gross monthly wages for mature local hires aged 40 and above, persons with disabilities or ex-offenders (increased to first $6,000 of gross monthly wages paid from March 2021), up to 18 months
Criteria
There must be an increase in overall local workforce size AND an increase in local workforce size earning more than or equal to $1,400 per month, compared to the August 2020 local workforce for Phase 1 or the February 2021 local workforce for Phase 2
- Phase 1: September 2020 to February 2021
- Phase 2: March 2021 to September 2021
Employers do NOT need to apply for the JGI. IRAS will notify eligible employers by post of the amount of JGI payout payable to them. They can also log in to myTax Portal to view the electronic copy of their letter.
Eligible employers will automatically receive their JGI payouts, which will be computed on a monthly basis based on the employer’s mandatory CPF contributions. Eligible employers will start receiving the first JGI payout from March 2021 onwards.
More details can be found here.
Support for Job Redesign under Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG-JR)
This grant developed by Workforce Singapore and administered by Singapore National Employers Federation, encourages enterprises to work with pre-approved Job Redesign (JR) consultants to redesing work processes, tasks and responsibilities, as part of the enhancement to the existing Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG). It is open for application from 1 December 2020.
Funding Level
Job redesign consultancy services are funded at up to 80% of qualifying cost, capped at $30,000 per company.
- After 31 March 2022, the PSG-JR funding rate will revert back to up to 70% of the JR consultancy cost, capped at $30,000 per enterprise.
Eligible employers may also qualify for additional subsidies under the SkillsFuture Enterprise Credits (SFEC) scheme.
Criteria and Application
Businesses intending to apply must meet the following criteria:
- Registered or incorporated and operating in Singapore
- Must have at least three local employees at the point of application
- Must not have made any payment to a pre-approved JR consultant or third party in relation to the engagement of JR-related consultancy service
- Must not have signed or confirmed any contract or purchase order with a pre-approved JR consultant or third party in relation to the engagement of JR-related consultancy service.
Applications may be submitted via the Business Grant Portal (BGP), requiring the use of a CorpPass.
More details can be found here.
SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC)
This Enterprise Singapore grant encourages employers to invest in enterprise transformation and capabilities of their employees. Final claims for SFEC-supportable programmes must be submitted by 30 June 2023. Credit will be reimbursed to employers from 1 April 2021.
Funding Level
Eligible employers will receive a one-off S$10,000 credit to cover up to 90% of out-of-pocket expenses on qualifying costs for supportable initiatives, over and above support levels of existing schemes.
- S$7,000 max for enterprise transformation
- S$3,000 for workforce transformation programmes (up to full S$10,000)
Criteria
Eligible employers who meet the following conditions will be notified in writing:
- Have contributed at least S$750 Skills Development Levy over the period
- Have employed at least three Singapore Citizens (SCs) or Permanent Residents (PRs) every month over the same period
- Have not been qualified at any of the earlier periods.
More details can be found here.
SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package
As announced at Budget 2021, the SGunited Jobs and Skills Package will be extended to 31 March 2022 and will take effect from 1 April 2021.
The Package is comprised of the following:
- SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme – Company Attachment
- SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme – Company Training
- SGUnited Skills Programme
- SGUnited Traineeships Programme
More details can be found here.
Senior Worker Early Adopter Grant (SWEAG) and Part Time Re-employment Grant (PTRG)
These Workforce Singapore grants aim to encourage companies to continue tapping on the rich experience and skillsets of senior workers.
Funding Level
- SWEAG provides funding support of $125,000 for employers to raise both their internal retirement and re-employment ages by 3 years above minimum statutory requirements.
- PTRG provides funding support of up to $125,000 for employers that commit to a part-time re-employment policy for its eligible senior workers
- Capped at 50 senior workers per company
Criteria
Companies intending to apply must meet the following criteria:
- Registered or incorporated in Singapore
- Have at least 1 senior worker aged 60 years and above
- Must adopt the Tripartite Standard on Age-Friendly Workplace Practices (TS-AWP)
More details can be found here.
Lean Enterprise Development (LED) Scheme
The LED scheme by MOM supports companies to become more manpower-lean, build a stronger Singaporean core and develop a better quality workforce.
The scheme helps businesses identify and obtain funding from different agencies such as the EDG and PSG.
More details can be found here.
Enhanced Training Support for SMEs
This SkillsFuture Singapore programme offers additional support to SMEs who face challenges in sending their employees for training.
Funding Level
- Higher Course Fee Grant: SMEs can enjoy SkillsFuture Funding of up to 90% of the course fees when they sponsor their employees to attend courses supported by SkillsFuture Singapore.
- Enhanced Absentee Payroll (AP) Funding: SMEs may claim AP funding of 80% of basic hourly salary at a higher cap of $7.50 per hour, an increase over the normal cap of $4.50 per hour.
Criteria
SMEs intending to apply must meet the following criteria:
- Registered or incorporated in Singapore
- At least 30% local shareholding by Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents
- Employment size of not more than 200 (at group level) or with annual sales turnover (at group level) of not more than $100 million
SME-sponsored Trainees must meet the following criteria:
- Must be Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents
- Courses have to be fully paid for by the employer
- Trainee is not a full-time national serviceman
More details can be found here.
Productivity-Max (P-Max) Programme
The P-Max Programme by Workforce Singapore helps businesses train their PMETs, establish progressive HR practices, and better retain PMETs.
Funding Level
Participating SMEs can enjoy up to 90% course fee subsidy, while eligible SMEs can receive a one-time $5,000 Assistance Grant or $10,000 Assistance Grant (P-Max for Older Workers only) upon completion of the Programme and six month retention of the newly hired PMETs.
Non-hiring SMEs can also enjoy up to 90% course fee subsidy for the SME training workshop under P-Max Lite to encourage progressive HR practices adoption.
Criteria
SMEs intending to apply must meet the following criteria:
- Companies registered or incorporated in Singapore
- Employment size (at group level) of not more than 200; OR annual sales turnover (at group level) of not more than S$100 million;
- At least 30% local shareholding being held by Singapore Citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident
- Hired a PMET within the last 3 months (i.e. 90 days) prior to enrolment into programme, offering a gross monthly salary of at least $2,500
More details can be found here.
For Internationalisation
Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant [Enhanced]
This Enterprise Singapore grant aims to help businesses internationalise and access overseas markets from 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2023.
Funding Level
Eligible businesses will receive support for up to 70% of eligible costs, capped at S$100,000 per company per new market from 1 April to 31 March 2023 that covers:
- Overseas market promotion (capped at S$20,000)
- Overseas business development (capped at S$50,000)
- Overseas market set-up (capped at S$30,000)
- Limited to one activity in a single overseas market (eg, market entry, or participation in a trade fair)
As announced at Budget 2021, the maximum support level of up to 80% will be extended for months, until 31 March 2022.
Eligible employers may also qualify for additional subsidies under the SkillsFuture Enterprise Credits (SFEC) scheme.
Criteria
Businesses intending to apply must meet the following criteria:
- Business entity is registered/incorporated in Singapore
- New market entry criteria, i.e. target overseas country whereby the applicant has not exceeded S$100,000 in overseas sales in each of the last three preceding years
- At least 30% local shareholding
- Group Annual Sales Turnover of not more than S$100 million; OR Company’s Group Employment Size of not more than 200 employees
More details can be found here.
Global Ready Talent Programme (GRT) (For Companies)
This Enterprise Singapore grant aims to build a pipeline of global-ready talent for Singapore enterprises through exposing more Singaporeans to internships and overseas work opportunities through local and overseas internships, or management associate programmes.
Funding Level
Singapore enterprises offering student internships or management associate programmes are eligible for up to 70% funding support on qualifying costs.
- Interns: up to 70% funding support on the monthly internship stipend.
- Management associates: up to 70% funding support, capped at $50,000 per management associate annually for:
- Monthly basic salary, including 13-month Annual Wage Supplement
- Overseas package such as Cost of Living Allowance, Accommodation, Airfare and Pre-trip administrative costs (eg, visa application, travel insurance)
Criteria
Businesses intending to apply must meet the following criteria:
- Incorporated in Singapore and with a minimum 30% local shareholding
- Be in a financially viable position to start and complete the internship
- Possess strong Human Resource practices and be committed towards talent development
- (For enterprises offering overseas internships) Have existing overseas operations, positive business outlook and strong growth plans
More details can be found here.