What is the MRA Grant and Why You Need a Grant Consultant for It
In today’s competitive business environment, Singapore-based companies are constantly seeking ways to grow beyond the local market. Internationalisation is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity for long-term sustainability and growth. However, expanding into overseas markets comes with significant challenges and costs. To support businesses in this journey, the Singapore government introduced the Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant.
Whether you’re looking to enter your first overseas market or exploring a new region, the MRA Grant can be a powerful tool. But applying for it isn’t always easy. This is why many companies choose to work with a grant consultant, someone who understands the requirements, can guide you through the process, and help ensure you get funded.
In this article, we’ll explain what the MRA Grant is, what it covers, and why working with a grant consultant could be the best decision you make for your company’s internationalisation journey.
What is the MRA Grant?
The Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant is a support programme under Enterprise Singapore that helps local SMEs expand into international markets. It co-funds a significant portion of the costs associated with overseas business development.
Here’s what the MRA Grant typically covers:
✅ Up to 50% support for eligible costs, capped at S$100,000 per new market
Each application must be targeted at one overseas market, and the cap is split into three key areas:
-
Overseas Market Promotion (e.g., participation in trade shows or marketing campaigns)
-
Overseas Business Development (e.g., engaging business development partners, market entry advisory)
-
Overseas Market Setup (e.g., IP search and registration, company incorporation, legal advice)
It’s worth noting that the MRA Grant is focused on helping first-time market entry. This means you must not already have an existing presence or revenue from the market you’re targeting.
Why is the MRA Grant Important for SMEs?
Global expansion can be expensive and risky. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often lack the resources and experience to confidently enter a new market. The MRA Grant gives companies the financial backing and confidence to move forward with their plans, knowing that part of the cost is supported by the government.
Here are some ways the MRA Grant helps:
-
Reduces financial risk of market entry
-
Encourages companies to explore new revenue streams
-
Helps fund professional services needed for market entry (e.g., legal, marketing, incorporation)
-
Increases the chances of success in overseas ventures
But while the support is generous, applying for the grant and getting it approved involves more than just filling out a form. This is where the need for a grant consultant becomes clear.
Why You Need a Grant Consultant for MRA
Applying for the MRA Grant may seem straightforward at first, but in reality, the process requires careful planning, documentation, and understanding of government expectations. A grant consultant acts as your guide — helping you navigate the rules, put together a compelling application, and follow through all the way to grant disbursement.
Here’s how a grant consultant adds value at every step of the process:
1. Strategic Planning & Market Selection
Not every market qualifies under the MRA. And not every project is suitable. A grant consultant helps you define a strategy for your internationalisation that aligns with the grant’s objectives. They’ll advise you on:
-
Which markets to prioritise
-
What activities are eligible
-
Whether your current setup disqualifies you
They’ll also help scope your project to maximise the funding you can get.
2. Proposal Writing & Documentation
The success of your application often depends on how well you articulate:
-
Your market entry strategy
-
Your company’s readiness to expand
-
The ROI and benefits of the proposed project
A grant consultant knows how to write proposals that are persuasive, compliant, and aligned with Enterprise Singapore’s expectations. They know what works — and what gets rejected.
They also help organise and prepare all supporting documents, such as:
-
Financial statements
-
Past project history
-
Vendor quotations
-
Market research and justification
3. Vendor Coordination
One common issue in MRA applications is improper or unapproved vendors. If you’re hiring a marketing agency, legal consultant, or overseas partner, they need to meet certain conditions to be eligible for grant support.
An experienced grant consultant will:
-
Vet your vendors to ensure eligibility
-
Help you choose from pre-approved consultants
-
Coordinate quotations in the right format
This helps avoid issues where your application is rejected or scaled down due to vendor non-compliance.
4. Accurate Cost Breakdown and Budgeting
Enterprise Singapore is strict about cost justification. Your budget must be reasonable, clearly linked to the project objectives, and supported by actual quotations.
A grant consultant helps:
-
Ensure your costings are well structured
-
Avoid ineligible expenses
-
Align spending with the 50% co-funding rule
-
Break down expenses into the proper MRA categories
5. Smooth Submission Process
The application is submitted through the Business Grants Portal (BGP). The system itself can be tricky, especially if you’re new to government grant portals. Missing information, wrong entries, or technical issues can delay your application or lead to rejections.
A grant consultant knows the BGP system inside out and can handle the submission for you, ensuring that all documents are correctly uploaded and the application is error-free.
6. Post-Approval Compliance & Claim Submission
Getting the grant approved is just half the journey. Once the project is completed, you’ll need to:
-
Keep accurate records
-
Submit a detailed project report
-
Prepare an audited statement of expenditure (if required)
-
Claim disbursement within the deadline
A grant consultant will:
-
Guide you through the post-project process
-
Help with claim submissions
-
Liaise with the grant officer on your behalf
-
Make sure your funds are disbursed without issues
7. Saving You Time and Avoiding Mistakes
Most business owners are busy managing operations and growth. Grant application takes time, energy, and attention to detail. A simple oversight can lead to rejection or delayed payment.
A grant consultant helps you avoid:
-
Missed deadlines
-
Ineligible costs
-
Poorly written proposals
-
Misalignment with grant conditions
In short, a grant consultant helps you focus on your business while they take care of the grant process.
Conclusion
The Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant is a fantastic opportunity for Singapore SMEs to expand their horizons and venture into global markets. It provides meaningful support for costs related to overseas marketing, business development, and market setup.
But as with most government grants, the application process requires a clear strategy, well-documented proposals, and proper execution. This is why engaging a grant consultant can make a huge difference. They provide not only technical know-how but also strategic insight to help you succeed.
If you’re serious about taking your business overseas and want to get the most out of the MRA Grant, don’t leave it to chance. Work with a trusted grant consultant who can guide you from planning to approval to disbursement.