The Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) grant is Enterprise Singapore’s flagship support for SMEs taking their first steps into overseas markets. With Singapore’s domestic market constrained by population size, internationalisation is often the single biggest growth lever for an SME — and MRA underwrites a significant share of the cost.
This 2026 guide explains who qualifies, what MRA funds, how to apply, how to claim, and the common rejection reasons that trip up new applicants.
What is the MRA grant?
The MRA grant is administered by Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) and supports Singapore SMEs in three internationalisation activities:
- Overseas market promotion — exhibitions, business missions, in-market marketing campaigns;
- Overseas business development — partner identification, agent searches, branding work, in-market consultancy;
- Overseas market set-up — incorporating a foreign subsidiary, branch or representative office; tax and legal advisory; intellectual property protection.
MRA funds up to 50% of eligible third-party costs (down from the COVID-era 70%), capped at S$100,000 per company per new overseas market. A company can use MRA across multiple markets over time.
2026 eligibility criteria
To qualify for MRA, the applicant company must:
- Be registered and operating in Singapore;
- Have at least 30% local shareholding (Singapore citizens or PRs);
- Have group annual turnover of not more than S$100 million OR group employment of not more than 200 employees;
- Have less than S$100,000 in overseas sales in the target market in each of the last three financial years (the “new market” test);
- Not have previously claimed MRA for the same activity in the same market.
The “new market” test is the most-misunderstood criterion. A market is “new” if your overseas sales there have been below S$100,000 in each of the last three years. If you have exceeded S$100,000 in any of the prior three years, that market is no longer eligible for MRA.
What MRA funds (eligible costs)
MRA reimburses up to 50% of third-party costs across the following categories:
| Category | Eligible costs |
|---|---|
| Overseas market promotion | Booth rental, stand design, travel airfares, accommodation, advertising and marketing |
| Overseas business development | Consultancy on market entry strategy, partner search, agent and distributor identification, branding and packaging |
| Overseas market set-up | Foreign company incorporation, tax and legal advisory, IP filing in target market, work visa fees |
The S$100,000 cap is per company per new market, but within that cap individual sub-caps apply. For example, accommodation and travel are capped at S$10,000–15,000 per overseas trip depending on the destination.
The MRA application process
MRA is applied for via the Business Grants Portal (BGP):
- Log in to BGP with Corppass;
- Select MRA grant and the target overseas market;
- Submit a project proposal covering the activity, expected outcomes, budget, third-party providers and milestones;
- Upload quotations from the third-party providers (Enterprise Singapore expects 1–3 quotations for transparency);
- Submit the latest financial statements and corporate profile;
- Pay no fees (MRA application is free).
Approval typically takes 6–10 weeks. Once approved, the company receives a Letter of Offer (LOO) which must be signed and returned. Project activities must commence within 3 months of the LOO and complete within 18 months.
Project milestones and claim submission
After completing the project (or hitting a defined milestone), the company submits a claim through BGP:
- Project completion report describing outcomes against the original proposal;
- Itemised expense schedule;
- Supporting invoices and bank payment evidence for every line item;
- Independent auditor’s verification report (mandatory for claims above S$50,000);
- Photographic evidence for exhibitions and missions.
Enterprise Singapore reviews the claim and disburses the 50% subsidy directly to the company’s bank account. Typical disbursement is 4–8 weeks after a complete claim. Claims must be filed within 6 months of the project completion date — late claims are forfeited.
MRA in the 2026 grant ecosystem
MRA is one of several SME growth grants. Compared to its siblings:
- EDG (Enterprise Development Grant) — broader business transformation support, up to 50%, more strategic and longer projects;
- PSG (Productivity Solutions Grant) — for pre-approved digital and equipment solutions, up to 50%;
- SFEC (SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit) — S$10,000 credit to defray out-of-pocket costs of other grants;
- EFS (Enterprise Financing Scheme) — government risk-share on SME loans.
MRA can be combined with SFEC to defray the company’s 50% co-funding share, and with EFS to finance the upfront cash outlay. See our grant stacking guide for the full picture.
Common MRA rejection reasons
The most common rejection reasons in 2026:
- Not a new market — applicant has historical sales above S$100,000 in any of the last three years;
- Insufficient project rigour — vague outcomes, no measurable KPIs;
- Self-supply — third-party provider is a related entity (sister company, director-controlled);
- Quotations from inappropriate providers — provider lacks track record in the target market;
- Activity already commenced — MRA cannot reimburse retrospectively; activities must start after approval;
- Group turnover above S$100m or 200+ employees — fails SME definition;
- Below 30% local shareholding — foreign-controlled SMEs are ineligible.
Post-grant compliance and audit
EnterpriseSG retains audit rights for up to 7 years after disbursement. Random audits sample 5–10% of grants annually. Companies should:
- Retain all original invoices, quotations and payment evidence for 7 years;
- Keep project documentation (proposal, LOO, completion report, claim);
- Maintain a clear paper trail showing the third-party provider relationship;
- Be prepared to demonstrate measurable in-market outcomes (sales generated, partners signed, market presence established).
Claw-back applies if the audit finds non-compliance — including transfer of activities to a related party or material misstatement in the claim. See our post-grant compliance guide for full details.
Practical tips for a successful MRA application
- Plan before you spend — get MRA approval before signing the booth, agent or consultancy contract;
- Pick markets strategically — choose markets with realistic 12–18-month commercial outcomes, not “exploration only”;
- Use a reputable third-party provider — quotations from boutique consultancies with strong track records carry more weight;
- Set measurable KPIs — number of partners contacted, leads generated, MOUs signed;
- Document everything — photographs, attendance lists, meeting minutes, draft contracts;
- Submit claims on time — within 6 months of project completion, never later.
Final thoughts
For a Singapore SME with the products, capacity and ambition to go regional, MRA is one of the most generous grants available — up to S$100,000 per new market, no equity dilution, no repayment. The application process rewards companies that plan their internationalisation carefully and engage credible in-market partners.
Treat MRA as a strategic tool, not just a cost subsidy. The grant is most valuable when paired with a clear market entry hypothesis, a credible commercial model, and disciplined post-grant execution.
— The Editorial Team, Raffles Corporate Services