Comprehensive answers to the most frequently asked questions about MRA Grant eligibility, funding, and the application process
Click on any question below to reveal the answer. If you still need clarification, reach out to us directly!
The Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant is a government-funded scheme managed by Enterprise Singapore designed to help Singapore companies expand into overseas markets by co-funding eligible business development activities.
The best part? As of April 2026, SMEs can get up to 70% of eligible costs funded. That means you only need to fund 30% yourself — a massive reduction in financial risk when exploring new markets.
To qualify for the MRA Grant, your company must meet these core requirements:
Non-SMEs can also apply, but they receive up to 50% support instead of 70%. Contact Enterprise Singapore if you require clarification on your eligibility status.
The MRA Grant supports up to 70% of eligible costs (50% for non-SMEs), subject to the following caps on eligible expenditure per category per new market:
For example, if you attend a trade fair costing S$25,000: only S$20,000 of that qualifies as eligible (the cap for Overseas Market Promotion), and the government funds 70% of that — S$14,000. You co-fund the remaining S$11,000.
Overseas Market Promotion (eligible costs capped at S$20,000):
Overseas Business Development (eligible costs capped at S$50,000):
Overseas Market Setup (eligible costs capped at S$30,000):
The 70% support means the government will fund up to 70% of your eligible project costs. You're responsible for the remaining 30%. Here's how it works:
Example: You want to attend a trade fair in Indonesia for S$25,000.
The capped amounts get 70% support, meaning you need to find the remaining 30% from your own pocket or other funding sources. Non-SMEs get 50% instead, so they need to cover 50% themselves.
Yes. A key advantage of the MRA Grant is that there is no limit to the number of markets you can develop. You can apply for funding in multiple countries simultaneously or sequentially.
You can have multiple grant projects operating in different markets, provided each project meets all eligibility criteria. This enables structured expansion across Southeast Asia and other regions.
Just keep in mind that each project needs to be separately approved and tracked. Your approved consultant (like Firefish!) can help you manage multiple applications efficiently.
Not necessarily, but it's recommended. For certain activities, particularly consultancy services and specialized market research, Enterprise Singapore has a list of pre-approved vendors. Using them can speed up the approval process.
However, you have flexibility. You can use other vendors as long as they meet the requirements and their costs are reasonable and well-documented. For example, you could hire your own market research team or use a vendor of your choice for event participation.
The key is transparency: provide proper quotes, invoices, and proof of work done. Keep everything documented and legitimate. Enterprise Singapore will review all expenses carefully.
This is a great question and it's nuanced. Generally, you cannot use the same activity to get funded under multiple grants. You can't claim S$20,000 for a trade fair under both MRA and EDG — that would be double-dipping.
However, you can run separate, distinct projects under different grants. For example:
The activities must be separate and clearly defined. This is where having an expert consultant (that's us!) really helps. We can advise which grant is best for each activity and ensure you're not creating issues with compliance.
Always declare if you're receiving other government support for related projects — transparency keeps you out of trouble!
To apply for the MRA Grant, you'll typically need:
The exact requirements can vary based on your project type and company profile. An approved consultant can help you prepare a complete application package and avoid the dreaded "rejected due to incomplete submission" scenario.
The approval timeline typically looks like this:
The timeline depends heavily on how complete your application is and how busy Enterprise Singapore is at the time. Incomplete applications get sent back for revision, which adds time. Using an approved consultant from the start can significantly speed things up — we know exactly what they're looking for.
Pro tip: Start the application process well before you want to launch your overseas activities. Don't wait until you've already booked the trade fair!
A rejection is not final. Most rejections are correctable through clarification or resubmission. Here's the typical process:
The good news? Most rejections are fixable. Working with an approved consultant from the beginning reduces rejection risk dramatically because we know what works and what doesn't. We can position your project to meet all the criteria from day one.
If rejected, contact us or Enterprise Singapore to understand exactly what went wrong — then fix it and try again!
Yes, the MRA Grant works on a reimbursement basis. You need to complete the project and provide proof of expenses before you get paid. Here's how it works:
This means you need enough cash flow to fund the project initially. For larger projects, this can be significant. Plan ahead and ensure your company can handle the upfront costs. Some companies arrange co-funding or financing to bridge this gap.
The positive side? Once approved, you'll definitely get the money back if your expenses are legitimate and documented properly.
Here are the major exclusions that often surprise people:
The core principle is simple: the grant funds business development activities in overseas markets, not your day-to-day operational costs or domestic activities. Keep this in mind when planning your project budget!
The grant claim process is straightforward but requires meticulous documentation:
Critical documentation tips:
An approved consultant can help you prepare a professional claim package that maximizes approval chances and minimizes back-and-forth with Enterprise Singapore. It's tedious work, but crucial for getting your money back!
Great question! Here are your options:
The MRA Grant can be complex, but with expert guidance, it becomes straightforward. Don't hesitate to reach out — we've helped dozens of Singapore SMEs successfully secure and deploy their MRA grants. Your expansion goals are our expertise!
