Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant
The Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) grant helps companies expand into new overseas markets by defraying costs of overseas market promotion, business development, and set-up. Specifically designed for SMEs new to target overseas markets, it provides structured support across three activity pillars with up to 50% co-funding. The grant covers diverse internationalisation activities including trade fair participation, overseas partner identification, business development staff deployment, and advisory/legal costs for market entry. Companies can reapply during the enhancement period (until 31 March 2026) if their overseas sales in the target market remained below S$100,000 in the preceding three years. Each application is limited to one activity in a single overseas market with projects not exceeding 12 months.
Eligibility Criteria
- 01
Business entity registered and operating in Singapore
- 02
At least 30% local equity held by Singaporeans/PRs
- 03
Group annual sales turnover not exceeding S$100 million OR group employment not exceeding 200 employees
- 04
New to target overseas market - annual sales must not have exceeded S$100,000 in any of the preceding 3 years
- 05
Previously benefited companies can reapply if sales remained below S$100,000 threshold (enhancement period: 1 Apr 2020 - 31 Mar 2026)
- 06
Newly registered companies may apply with adequate financing/manpower demonstration
- 07
Applications should be submitted no more than 6 months before project start date
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but approval depends on demonstrating adequate financing and manpower to support multiple projects.
Yes, as long as it is not for the same scope of work/services/activities.
Yes, qualifying expenses for tax deduction will be computed net of the MRA grant.
Payment to consultant/vendor (including deposit), contractual agreements/POs signed, employment contracts signed with BD staff, or project commencement before application submission. Exception: Trade fair applications allow advance payment for booth space.
No, MRA supports eligible third-party costs for activities that companies do not have in-house capabilities for. Exception: Overseas Marketing Presence allows deployment of company's own BD staff.
No specific requirement, but BD staff must be stationed in market throughout project. Freelancers and remote workers not supported.
Yes - prior art search, examination, objection, filing costs. IP must be owned by applicant. Singapore IP registration costs eligible when part of international IP application.
If payment not yet made and project not commenced, submit a new application. If project is ongoing, submit a change request via BGP with new vendor quote before project end date.
Yes, but inter-billing must be used to transfer expenses back to the Singapore applicant with supporting documentation.