Singapore AI grants in 2026, sorted by what you can actually apply for

The short answer: If you're a Singapore SME wanting help paying for AI, start with the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG), which has covered up to 50 percent of eligible costs for pre-approved solutions, including AI-enabled tools. From 30 September 2026, PSG sits inside the new EDGE grant alongside the Enterprise Development Grant and Market Readiness Assistance, and you can explore it through the new BizSG portal. If you're bigger and more digitally mature, look at IMDA's GenAI programmes, which co-fund projects case by case. The National AI Impact Programme is worth knowing about, but it's a national push, not something you fill in a form for. Check current terms on the official sites before you commit money, because these schemes are changing this year.

Most grant articles list everything with equal weight. That's not much help when you're an owner trying to work out what to do on Monday. This version sorts them by how close each one is to money in your account.

Things you can apply for now

PSG, now part of EDGE

Run by: Enterprise Singapore, with pre-approved solutions drawn from IMDA's list
Support: Up to 50 percent of eligible costs
Covers: Pre-approved solutions only, including a growing number of AI-enabled tools
Who: SMEs, generally Singapore-registered with local shareholding and operations requirements
Timeline: Typically weeks, not months

The catch with PSG has always been "pre-approved". You pick from a list of vendors and packages. That works well for a standard tool. It's less useful if what you need is built around how your business specifically runs.

From 30 September 2026, PSG is being folded into EDGE, which combines it with the Enterprise Development Grant and Market Readiness Assistance. The Straits Times reported that EDGE covers more than 150 activities across eight business areas, including efficiency, overseas expansion and digital capability. Read our notes on BizSG and EDGE for more. The details of how the old PSG rules carry over are worth checking directly with Enterprise Singapore or an SME Centre adviser.

Bank programmes

Several banks run their own schemes that pair SMEs with subsidised or discounted AI tools. DBS's Spark GenAI programme is one example. These tend to be quicker and simpler than government grants, and more tied to the bank's own partners. Worth a look if you already bank with them.

Things you apply for with a proposal

IMDA GenAI x Digital Leaders

Run by: IMDA
Who: Enterprises that are already fairly digitally mature
Structure: Two phases, a tech discovery stage followed by project implementation
Support: Co-funding assessed project by project. No fixed percentage or published cap

This is for businesses with a real AI project in mind, not those wanting to buy a tool off a shelf. You'll need a proposal and a clear idea of what you're building.

IMDA CTO-as-a-Service

A portal where SMEs can find pre-approved GenAI solutions and get advice on digital adoption. Useful as a starting point if you don't know what's out there. The solutions are standard, not customised.

Things that are signals, not applications

National AI Impact Programme

Run by: IMDA
Aim: Help up to 10,000 enterprises and 100,000 workers build AI capability and literacy over three years
What it means for you: No direct application. It's the umbrella behind more specific schemes and workshops.

Why it matters: when the government commits to targets like this, more funded workshops, adviser time and grant categories tend to follow. SME Centres have already run more than 40 AI workshops for close to 2,000 SMEs over the past year, and these are being updated to cover AI agents.

Watch out

A grant pays part of the bill. It doesn't decide whether the project was worth doing. We've seen businesses buy a pre-approved tool mainly because it was 50 percent off, then stop using it within months. Work out what problem you're solving first, then see which grant fits, not the other way round.

How I'd approach it

Name the problem. "We lose after-hours enquiries" or "quotes take three days" is a problem. "We want AI" isn't.
Check if a standard tool solves it. If yes, look for it on the pre-approved list and apply through PSG or EDGE.
If it needs building around your operations, talk to an SME Centre adviser about EDGE's broader categories, or IMDA if your project is large enough.
Get the running costs as well as the setup costs. Grants usually cover the first year or the build. You pay for everything after.
Don't sign anything before approval. Costs incurred before a grant is approved are generally not claimable.

Common questions

What grants are there for AI in Singapore in 2026?

The main ones for SMEs are the Productivity Solutions Grant (now part of EDGE from 30 September 2026), IMDA's GenAI programmes for larger projects, and bank-led schemes such as DBS Spark GenAI. The National AI Impact Programme is a wider national initiative, not a grant you apply for.

How much does PSG cover for AI tools?

Up to 50 percent of eligible costs for pre-approved solutions. Check Enterprise Singapore's current terms, as the scheme is being folded into EDGE.

Can I get a grant for a custom-built AI system?

Possibly, but usually not through PSG, which covers pre-approved packages. Custom projects are more likely to fit EDGE's broader categories or IMDA's project-based co-funding. An SME Centre adviser can tell you which fits.

Where do I apply?

From 30 September 2026, the BizSG portal is the starting point for exploring EDGE and seeing whether you're likely to be eligible. More government grants are expected to be added through 2027.

One thing to do this week

Write one sentence describing the business problem you'd use AI for, with a number in it. For example, "we miss about ten enquiries a week after 7pm." Take that sentence to the BizSG portal or an SME Centre adviser. A specific problem gets you a specific answer. A general interest in AI gets you a brochure.

Grant details change, so treat this as a map, not advice, and confirm on the official sites. If you want a view on whether your project suits a grant, no charge: hello@phase2.sg. Terms are defined in our Singapore grants glossary.