Good Design Research & Development (GDRD)
Good Design Research & Development (GDRD) is a DesignSingapore Council (Dsg) initiative under the Design 2035 Masterplan. It supports non-design organisations in adopting design as a strategic capability for innovation and growth, while enabling design firms to develop new capabilities, services and products that strengthen Singapore's design sector. GDRD supersedes the earlier Good Design Research (GDR) programme and now covers the full innovation journey through three project types. Design Research helps organisations understand users, identify opportunities and validate assumptions, culminating in a validated Proof-of-Concept (POC). Design Development transforms a validated POC into a market-ready product, service, system or experience through prototyping, pilot deployment, testing, small-scale production and commercialisation. Design Research + Development combines both stages in a single project. Co-funding is up to 50% of qualifying project costs incurred within the approved qualifying period: up to S$50,000 over 12 months for Design Research, up to S$450,000 over 24 months for Design Development, and up to S$500,000 over 36 months for a combined project. Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee funding — applications are assessed on merit, impact and the availability of funds.
Eligibility Criteria
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Incorporated in Singapore for at least 3 years at the point of application
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Has access to design capabilities, either in-house or through engagement of external design professionals
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Demonstrates the capability and commitment to complete the proposed project
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Open to both design firms and non-design organisations, including social enterprises
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For Design Development projects, evidence of a completed prior design research process — either independently or through a design project partner
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Publicly funded organisations may be considered case-by-case, provided there is no duplication of funding for the same project scope
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Projects are expected to involve Singapore-based designers and/or design firms
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Applicant must be able to co-fund at least 50% of qualifying project costs
How to Apply
1. Decide which project type fits your work: Design Research, Design Development, or Design Research + Development. 2. Prepare your supporting documents — project timeline and details, portfolio of work, and latest audited financial statements. 3. Build the proposal around the assessment criteria: value to users and stakeholders, sustainability of the value proposition, feasibility of implementation, success measures and ambition, contribution to Singapore's design sector and ecosystem, and alignment with the Design 2035 Masterplan's Areas of Impact and Key Growth Areas. 4. Submit the GDRD application form at https://form.gov.sg/64e5bd93bb41f3001285f646. 5. Do not commit spend ahead of approval — only costs incurred within the approved qualifying period and in line with Dsg's requirements may be claimed. 6. For questions, see the FAQs on the GDRD programme page or email GDRD@designsingapore.org.
Claims and Disbursement
The grant is generally disbursed across two milestones. 30% is disbursed upon acceptance of the grant and submission of the required documents.
The remaining amount is disbursed upon successful project completion, subject to audited qualifying expenditure and Dsg's acceptance of the required deliverables and documents. Every project must submit an external audit report with supporting documents as part of the claims process.
Only costs incurred within the approved qualifying period and in accordance with Dsg's requirements may be claimed. Qualifying costs may include material costs, third-party costs, specialised equipment and software costs, and internal manpower costs (salaries, subject to programme caps); Dsg reserves the right to determine whether proposed activities and cost items are eligible.
Depending on the project, deliverables may include midpoint and final presentations, a project report, an external audit report, a validated proof-of-concept, evidence of market launch or deployment, and evidence of capability development or designers upskilled.
Frequently Asked Questions
GDRD co-funds up to 50% of qualifying project costs. Maximum support is S$50,000 for a Design Research project (qualifying period up to 12 months), S$450,000 for a Design Development project (up to 24 months), and S$500,000 for a combined Design Research + Development project (up to 36 months).
Organisations incorporated in Singapore for at least three years at the point of application, with access to design capabilities either in-house or through external design professionals, and able to demonstrate the capability and commitment to complete the project. Both design firms and non-design organisations may apply, including social enterprises.
Yes. GDRD is open to both design and non-design organisations, provided they meet the eligibility criteria and are seeking to apply design-led innovation to develop new products, services, systems, or experiences.
Design Research focuses on uncovering insights, identifying the right problem, and developing and validating a Proof-of-Concept (POC). Design Development focuses on transforming a validated POC into a market-ready product, service, system or experience through prototyping, testing and market launch. A single project may cover both stages.
Qualifying costs may include material costs, third-party costs, specialised equipment and software costs, and internal manpower costs (salaries), subject to programme caps. Dsg reserves the right to determine whether proposed activities and corresponding cost items are eligible for funding.
Only costs incurred within the approved qualifying period and in accordance with Dsg's requirements may be considered. Applicants should not assume that costs incurred before approval are supportable.
No. Applications are evaluated on the project's merits, potential impact, alignment with GDRD objectives, the applicant's ability to fulfil the project deliverables and comply with the programme's terms and conditions, and the availability of funds.
Generally in two milestones: 30% upon acceptance of the grant and submission of required documents, and the remaining amount upon successful project completion, subject to audited qualifying expenditure and Dsg's acceptance of the required deliverables and documents. An external audit report is required for all projects.
Intellectual property arising from the project remains with the applicant, subject to the terms and conditions of the Letter of Award. Applicants are responsible for ensuring they have the necessary rights and permissions relating to all project outputs and submitted materials.
GDR has been refreshed into Good Design Research & Development (GDRD) under the Design 2035 Masterplan. The old programme page now redirects to the GDRD page. The headline terms changed: co-funding moved from 70% to up to 50%, the incorporation requirement rose from 2 to 3 years, the funding cap is now tiered up to S$500,000, and the S$500 audit fee subsidy is no longer offered.