GoBusiness Grants Portal: How to Find and Apply for Grants in Singapore

The GoBusiness Grants Portal is the Singapore government’s centralised platform for discovering, applying for, and managing business grants. Launched to simplify what was once a fragmented and confusing grant landscape, the portal brings dozens of grant programmes from multiple government agencies under a single digital roof. For business owners, it eliminates the need to visit separate agency websites and navigate different application systems.

Despite its convenience, many Singapore SMEs underutilise the GoBusiness portal — either because they are unaware of its full capabilities or because they find the interface unfamiliar. This is a missed opportunity. The portal’s e-Adviser tool can match your business to relevant grants in minutes, the streamlined application process reduces paperwork, and the built-in tracking system keeps you informed of your application status without chasing individual agencies.

This guide provides a practical, step-by-step walkthrough of the GoBusiness Grants Portal as it stands in 2026 — from initial registration and grant discovery to application submission, tracking, and tips for improving your approval chances. Whether you are applying for your first grant or managing multiple applications, this resource will help you use the portal effectively to fund your digital marketing and business growth initiatives.

What Is the GoBusiness Grants Portal?

The GoBusiness Grants Portal (formerly known as the Business Grants Portal or BGP) is a one-stop digital platform maintained by the Singapore government. It consolidates grants from Enterprise Singapore, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), the Singapore Tourism Board, and other statutory boards into a unified interface.

The portal serves three primary functions:

Grant discovery: Helping businesses identify which grants they are eligible for, based on their company profile, industry, and needs
Application management: Providing a standardised digital application process for most major grants
Tracking and claims: Allowing businesses to monitor application status, submit milestone reports, and file reimbursement claims

Portal Feature	What It Does	Best Used For
e-Adviser for Government Assistance	Recommends grants based on your answers to a questionnaire	First-time grant seekers, businesses unsure which grants apply
Grant Finder	Browsable directory of all available grants with filters	Businesses with specific grant programmes in mind
Application Dashboard	Central hub for managing all active and past applications	Tracking multiple grant applications
Claims Module	Submit reimbursement claims and supporting documents	Post-project disbursement requests
Company Profile	Pre-populates company data across applications	Reducing repetitive data entry

The portal is accessible 24/7 and uses Singpass for secure authentication. Most — though not all — government grants can be applied for through the portal. Some sector-specific grants and programmes still require direct application to the administering agency, but the e-Adviser tool will direct you accordingly.

Getting Started: Registration and Login

Accessing the GoBusiness Grants Portal requires Singpass with Corppass authorisation. Here is how to get set up:

Step 1 — Ensure Singpass is active: All Singapore citizens and permanent residents have Singpass accounts. If you have not activated yours or need to reset it, visit the Singpass website or app. Foreigners who are company directors or authorised personnel must have a valid Singpass Foreign User Account.

Step 2 — Set up Corppass authorisation: Corppass is the corporate digital identity system that controls which individuals can transact on behalf of a company. The company’s registered officer (typically a director) must log in to Corppass and assign e-Service access for the GoBusiness portal to the individuals who will be managing grant applications.

Step 3 — Log in to the GoBusiness Grants Portal: Navigate to the GoBusiness website and select the Grants section. Log in using your Singpass credentials. The system will verify your Corppass authorisation and present your company dashboard.

Step 4 — Complete your company profile: The portal pre-populates some company information from ACRA records, but you should review and complete your profile — including company size, annual revenue, industry classification, and a brief business description. A complete profile improves the accuracy of grant recommendations from the e-Adviser tool.

For companies with multiple authorised users, the primary administrator can assign different access levels — for example, allowing a finance manager to submit claims while restricting application submission to senior management. This role-based access is particularly useful for SMEs where different team members handle different aspects of the grant process.

Using the e-Adviser Tool to Find Relevant Grants

The e-Adviser for Government Assistance is one of the most valuable features of the GoBusiness portal, yet many businesses skip it and go directly to browsing grants. This is a mistake — the e-Adviser asks targeted questions about your business situation and recommends specific programmes you may not have known about.

How the e-Adviser works: The tool presents a series of questions about your business needs, covering areas like:

What stage is your business at? (starting up, growing, expanding overseas)
What do you need help with? (funding, technology adoption, training, market access)
What is your industry?
What is your company size and revenue?
Are you looking to hire, train, or restructure your workforce?

Based on your answers, the e-Adviser generates a personalised list of recommended grants, schemes, and support programmes — not just grants, but also loans, tax incentives, and advisory services. Each recommendation includes a brief description, eligibility summary, and a direct link to learn more or apply.

Tips for getting the best e-Adviser results:

Be specific about your needs. Selecting “digital marketing” as a need area, if available, will yield more targeted recommendations than generic “business development.”
Run the e-Adviser multiple times with different inputs. Your business may have several needs — run separate sessions for marketing, technology, training, and overseas expansion to get a comprehensive view.
Save or screenshot your results. The e-Adviser does not save previous sessions by default, so capture your recommendations for future reference.

For businesses specifically seeking marketing-related grants, the e-Adviser will typically recommend the Enterprise Development Grant (EDG), Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG), and Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) grant. For a detailed comparison of these programmes, see our comprehensive guide to government grants for SMEs in Singapore.

Grant Finder: Browsing All Available Grants

The Grant Finder is the portal’s browsable directory of all available grants. Unlike the e-Adviser, which provides personalised recommendations, the Grant Finder lets you explore the full catalogue and filter by criteria that matter to you.

Available filters include:

Industry: Filter grants relevant to your sector (e.g., infocomm, retail, food services, professional services)
Business need: Filter by purpose (e.g., capability development, innovation, overseas expansion, workforce training)
Agency: Filter by administering body (Enterprise Singapore, IMDA, STB, etc.)
Grant type: Filter by funding mechanism (grants, loans, tax incentives)

Each grant listing includes an overview, eligibility criteria, application process, and supporting documentation requirements. For major grants like the EDG and PSG, the listings also include links to pre-approved vendor lists, FAQ sections, and downloadable application guides.

The Grant Finder is particularly useful for identifying sector-specific grants that the e-Adviser might not surface prominently. For example, tourism businesses may find STB-administered grants, while technology companies may discover IMDA programmes that are highly relevant but less well-known than the mainstream Enterprise Singapore grants.

When browsing for marketing-related grants, focus on programmes that list “brand development,” “digital marketing,” “customer engagement,” or “market access” among their eligible activities. These are the programmes most likely to fund SEO services, paid advertising, content marketing, and other digital marketing investments.

Submitting a Grant Application: Step-by-Step

Once you have identified the right grant, the application process follows a structured workflow within the portal. Here is a detailed walkthrough using the EDG as an example, though the general process applies to most grants on the platform:

Step 1 — Prepare your documentation: Before starting the online application, gather all required documents. For the EDG, this typically includes: company financial statements (past two to three years), a detailed project proposal, vendor quotations for third-party services, a project timeline with milestones, projected business outcomes and KPIs, and company registration documents.

Step 2 — Start a new application: From your dashboard, select “New Application” and choose the grant programme. The portal will display the application form, which is divided into sections covering company information, project details, budget breakdown, and expected outcomes.

Step 3 — Complete the company information section: Much of this will be pre-populated from your company profile and ACRA records. Verify the accuracy of the pre-populated data and fill in any gaps — particularly financial information like annual revenue and employee headcount.

Step 4 — Describe your project: This is the most critical section. Clearly articulate what your project aims to achieve, why it is important for your business, and how it will be executed. For a marketing project, describe the specific marketing activities (e.g., developing a comprehensive Google Ads and SEO strategy), the business problem they address (e.g., low online visibility and customer acquisition costs), and the expected outcomes (e.g., 50 per cent increase in qualified leads within twelve months).

Step 5 — Detail the budget: Break down the project costs into eligible categories: third-party consultancy fees, software and technology costs, internal manpower costs, and other direct expenses. Each line item should have a corresponding quotation or cost justification. The portal will calculate the grant amount based on the co-funding ratio.

Step 6 — Upload supporting documents: Attach all required documentation. Ensure files are clearly named and in accepted formats (typically PDF). Incomplete documentation is the single most common cause of application delays.

Step 7 — Review and submit: The portal provides a summary page for final review. Check every field, verify all uploads, and submit. You will receive an acknowledgement email with a reference number for tracking.

Tracking Your Application and Managing Claims

After submission, the GoBusiness portal becomes your central hub for tracking progress and managing the grant lifecycle.

Application status tracking: Your dashboard displays the current status of each application — typically progressing through stages like “Submitted,” “Under Review,” “Additional Information Requested,” “Approved,” or “Rejected.” You will receive email notifications when the status changes, but checking the portal regularly ensures you respond promptly to any requests for additional information.

Responding to queries: Evaluators may request clarifications or additional documents during the review process. These requests appear in your portal inbox and usually have a response deadline. Responding quickly and thoroughly is important — delays in providing requested information can extend processing times significantly.

Letter of Offer: Upon approval, you will receive a Letter of Offer through the portal. Review the terms carefully — they specify the approved funding amount, co-funding ratio, project timeline, milestone requirements, and claim procedures. Accept the Letter of Offer within the stated deadline to activate your grant.

Milestone reporting: For larger grants like the EDG, you may need to submit milestone reports demonstrating project progress. These reports are submitted through the portal and typically include progress summaries, financial expenditure records, and evidence of deliverables completed.

Claims submission: Once project activities are completed (or at approved milestones), submit your reimbursement claim through the Claims Module. Upload proof of expenditure — invoices, receipts, bank statements — and proof of deliverables. Claims are reviewed and disbursed within four to eight weeks of submission, depending on the complexity and completeness of your documentation.

Grant Lifecycle Stage	What Happens	Your Action Required	Typical Timeline
Application submitted	Portal acknowledges receipt	Save reference number	Immediate
Under review	Evaluator assesses application	Monitor for queries	4–12 weeks
Additional info requested	Evaluator needs clarification	Respond within deadline	1–2 weeks to respond
Approved / Letter of Offer	Grant terms are finalised	Review and accept offer	Within 4 weeks of approval
Project execution	You implement the project	Submit milestone reports	As per project timeline
Claim submitted	You request reimbursement	Upload proof of expenditure	Within claim window
Disbursement	Government releases funds	Verify receipt	4–8 weeks after claim

Tips for Getting Your Grant Application Approved

Grant approval rates vary by programme, but following these best practices significantly improves your chances:

Demonstrate clear business impact: Evaluators prioritise projects that will demonstrably improve business performance. Vague objectives like “improve our marketing” are weak. Strong objectives are specific and measurable: “Increase monthly qualified leads from 50 to 150 through a structured SEO and paid search programme within twelve months.” Quantify the expected impact wherever possible.

Show that you have done your homework: Reference market data, competitor analysis, and customer insights that justify your project. An application that says “We need better social media marketing because our competitors are doing it” is far less compelling than one that quantifies the market opportunity and explains how the proposed activities will capture it.

Choose vendors strategically: For grants that involve third-party services, select vendors with relevant experience and a track record of delivering grant-funded projects. Enterprise Singapore and IMDA maintain lists of pre-approved vendors — using these vendors can streamline the evaluation process. Provide detailed vendor quotations that clearly map to the project scope.

Align with national priorities: Applications that align with Singapore’s national economic priorities — digitalisation, sustainability, innovation, workforce development — tend to receive more favourable evaluations. Frame your marketing project within these broader themes where genuine alignment exists.

Be realistic with timelines and budgets: Overly ambitious timelines or inflated budgets raise red flags. Base your timeline on the vendor’s realistic delivery estimates and ensure your budget reflects genuine market rates. Evaluators have visibility into typical project costs and will question outliers.

Get professional support: Many successful applicants work with grant consultants or experienced digital marketing agencies that understand the application process. These professionals know what evaluators look for and can help structure your proposal for maximum impact. Some agencies include grant application support as part of their service offering.

Common Mistakes to Avoid on the GoBusiness Portal

Starting the project before approval: This is the most costly mistake. Most grants require that project activities begin only after the Letter of Offer is accepted. Expenditure incurred before approval is generally not reimbursable. If you have already started your marketing project, you cannot retrospectively apply for grant funding to cover those costs.

Incomplete applications: Missing documents, unsigned declarations, or incomplete budget breakdowns cause delays and can lead to rejection. Use the portal’s checklist feature to verify completeness before submitting. Have a colleague review your application for gaps before you hit submit.

Not reading the Terms and Conditions: The Letter of Offer contains specific conditions — project completion deadlines, reporting requirements, eligible cost categories, and claim procedures. Failing to comply with these conditions can result in reduced disbursements or clawback of funds already received. Read every clause carefully.

Misallocating costs between categories: Each grant has defined eligible cost categories. Placing expenditure in the wrong category — for example, categorising software subscription fees as consultancy costs — can result in partial or full rejection of claims. Follow the grant’s cost category definitions precisely.

Missing claim deadlines: Claims must be submitted within the window specified in your Letter of Offer. Late claims may be rejected outright, leaving you to bear the full project cost. Set calendar reminders for all deadlines as soon as you receive your Letter of Offer.

Not keeping proper records: Grant claims require detailed documentation — invoices, payment proof, delivery records, and evidence that activities were completed as described. Maintain a dedicated folder for each grant project from day one. Poor record-keeping at the claim stage is a common and entirely avoidable problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the GoBusiness Grants Portal the same as the Business Grants Portal (BGP)?

Yes. The Business Grants Portal (BGP) was rebranded and integrated into the broader GoBusiness platform. If you previously used the BGP, your account and application history have been migrated to GoBusiness. The functionality is essentially the same, with improvements to the user interface, e-Adviser tool, and integration with other GoBusiness services like licence applications and e-Adviser for Skills Training.

Can I save my application and complete it later?

Yes. The portal allows you to save draft applications and return to complete them later. Your progress is saved automatically as you complete each section. This is useful because grant applications can require information from multiple sources — financial data, vendor quotations, project details — that you may not have immediately available in a single session.

How do I check if my company is eligible for a specific grant?

Each grant listing on the portal includes detailed eligibility criteria. The most common requirements are: Singapore-registered company, at least 30 per cent local shareholding, and company size thresholds (e.g., annual revenue under $100 million or fewer than 200 employees). The e-Adviser tool can also pre-screen your eligibility based on your company profile information.

What should I do if my application is rejected?

Request detailed feedback from the evaluating agency through the portal or by contacting them directly. Common rejection reasons include unclear project objectives, ineligible costs, or insufficient justification of business impact. Revise your application to address the specific feedback and resubmit. There is no limit on the number of times you can apply, provided each submission represents a genuine revision.

Can I apply for the same grant multiple times for different projects?

Yes, in most cases. For example, you can submit multiple EDG applications for different project scopes — one for a marketing transformation project and another for an operational efficiency project. However, you cannot submit multiple applications for the same project scope. Each application must cover a distinct set of activities and costs.

Do I need a grant consultant to use the GoBusiness portal?

A grant consultant is not required — the portal is designed to be used directly by business owners. However, for larger grants like the EDG, where the application requires detailed project proposals and business impact projections, professional guidance can significantly improve both the quality of your application and your approval chances. Many digital marketing agencies that are experienced with government grants can assist with the application as part of their project engagement.

GoBusiness Grants Portal: How to Find and Apply for Grants in Singapore