Brand Transformation for Businesses Growing Across Asia • Get Up to $100K EDGE Grant Support for International Branding. Learn More

Creativeans C LogoCreativeans
Grants / Good Design Research & Development (GDRD) Singapore

Understand Users. Test Ideas. Develop Better Solutions.

Up to 50% of qualifying project costs. Funding limits depend on the project pathway and DesignSingapore Council’s approval.

A useful idea starts with understanding the people it serves. Creativeans helps organisations turn user insights into concepts, prototypes and design decisions for new products, services and experiences.

Discuss Your GDRD Project
A participant reviews research photographs and notes during Creativeans’ Samsung project.

{ What is the GDRD Grant? }

Co-Funding Support for Design-Led Innovation

The Good Design Research & Development (GDRD) programme is an initiative by DesignSingapore Council (Dsg) under the Design 2035 Masterplan. It supports both design and non-design organisations in using design as a strategic capability for innovation and growth.

Through co-funding support, GDRD helps organisations move across the innovation journey, from understanding users and validating opportunities to developing, testing and launching market-ready products, services, systems or experiences.

Support is available for Design Research, Design Development, or an integrated Design Research + Development project, with funding of up to 50% of qualifying project costs.

{ Eligibility }

To apply for GDRD, your organisation must:
Be incorporated in Singapore for at least three years at the point of application
Have access to design capabilities, either in-house or through external design professionals
Demonstrate the capability and commitment to complete the proposed project
GDRD is open to both design firms and non-design organisations, including social enterprises, subject to DesignSingapore Council’s assessment

Important for Design Development Projects: Applicants should provide evidence that a prior design research process has been completed, either independently or with a design project partner.

{ What GDRD supports }

3 GDRD Project Pathways

GDRD supports projects across the design innovation journey, from research and validation to development and market launch. The information below is a summary; full programme details are available on DesignSingapore Council’s website.

Design Research

Design Research

Up to S$50,000 | Up to 12 months

Understand users, identify opportunities and validate ideas before investing in development through activities such as:

  • User & Stakeholder Research
  • Opportunity Identification
  • Concept Testing

Outcome: Validated insights and a Proof-of-Concept demonstrating desirability, feasibility and/or viability.

01
Design Development

Design Development

Up to S$450,000 | Up to 24 months

Transform validated concepts into market-ready products, services, systems or experiences through activities such as:

  • Prototyping & Testing
  • Pilot Deployment & Small-Scale Production
  • Market Validation & Commercialisation

Outcome: Progress towards market adoption through deployment, customer adoption, commercial agreements, sales, licensing or distribution.

02
Design Research + Development

Design Research + Development

Up to S$500,000 | Up to 36 months

Undertake the full innovation journey within one project, from identifying opportunities through to development and market launch through:

  • Research & Concept Validation
  • Development & Testing
  • Market Launch

Outcome: A validated Proof-of-Concept and a launched product or service.

03

{ The Comparison }

How GDRD Differs from Other Grants

A quick comparison to help you understand where GDRD Grant fits among Singapore’s key business support schemes.

CATEGORYGDRD GrantEDGEDTDi
Type of supportCo-funding grantReimbursement grantTax deduction incentive
Best forDesign research, innovation and developmentBusiness upgrading, innovation and growthInternationalisation expense deduction
Main BenefitUp to 50% of qualifying project costsUp to 70% support depending on activity200% tax deduction on qualifying expenses
Administered byDesignSingapore CouncilEnterprise SingaporeIRAS (with EnterpriseSG)
When you benefit30% upon acceptance; balance after completionAfter activity completion and claim approvalWhen filing corporate income tax

{ How Creativeans Can Help }

Research and Design for Your Next Offering

We help you define the problem, understand users and test possible solutions. Our design work connects research with concept development and the customer experience. We agree the scope, deliverables and responsibilities with you before the project begins.

01

Defining the design challenge, opportunity and project scope

02

Planning and conducting user and stakeholder research

03

Developing, prototyping and validating concepts and POCs

04

Refining validated concepts towards market-ready solutions

05

Deliver the agreed design work and project documentation

Discuss Your GDRD Project

Application Process

Confirm eligibility & project type

Check your organisation’s eligibility and identify the appropriate GDRD project pathway.

01

Prepare your project proposal

Define the project scope, timeline, activities, intended outcomes and required project details.

02

Gather supporting documents

Prepare your portfolio of work, latest audited financial statements and other required supporting information.

03

Submit your GDRD application

Complete the official GDRD application form and submit the required project documents.

04

Project assessment

Dsg assesses the project’s value, feasibility, potential impact and alignment with programme objectives.

05

Accept the grant

If successful, accept the grant and submit the required documents. The initial 30% is generally disbursed at this stage.

06

Complete project & submit claims

Deliver the approved project and submit the required reports, supporting documents and external audit report.

07

Receive final disbursement

The remaining grant is disbursed after successful completion and Dsg’s acceptance of audited expenditure and deliverables.

08

{ FAQ }

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to common GDRD questions before you start your design research or development project.
How are GDRD applications assessed?

Applications are assessed on the strength of the proposed project, including its value to users and stakeholders, sustainability, feasibility, success measures and ambition, contribution to Singapore’s design sector and ecosystem, and alignment with the Design 2035 Masterplan.

Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee funding. Approval also depends on project merit, potential impact, the applicant’s ability to deliver the project, programme compliance and availability of funds.

Can non-design organisations apply?

Yes. GDRD is open to both design and non-design organisations that meet the eligibility criteria and are looking to use design-led innovation to develop new products, services, systems or experiences.

Can one project cover both Design Research and Design Development?

Yes. Organisations can apply for an integrated Design Research + Development project where both stages form part of a coherent project scope.

Can GDRD support a branding or website project?

A branding or website brief does not establish eligibility on its own. The proposed work must meet GDRD’s design research or development objectives. DesignSingapore Council assesses the activities and costs. Speak with us about the design challenge and proposed scope before treating grant support as part of your budget.

Can I claim costs incurred before approval?

Only costs incurred within the approved qualifying period and in accordance with Dsg’s requirements may be considered. Applicants should not assume that costs incurred before approval will be supported.

How is the GDRD grant disbursed?

The grant is generally disbursed in two milestones: 30% upon acceptance of the grant and submission of required documents, followed by the remaining amount after successful project completion, audited qualifying expenditure and acceptance of the required deliverables.

Is an external audit report required?

Yes. All GDRD projects are required to submit an external audit report and supporting documents as part of the claims process.

What deliverables may be required?

Depending on the project, successful applicants may need to provide midpoint and final presentations, project reports, a validated Proof-of-Concept, evidence of market launch or deployment, and evidence of capability development or designers being upskilled.

Who owns the intellectual property developed through the project?

Intellectual property arising from the project remains with the applicant, subject to the terms and conditions of the Letter of Award. Applicants are responsible for ensuring the necessary rights and permissions are in place for project outputs and submitted materials.

Can publicly funded organisations apply?

They may be considered on a case-by-case basis, subject to Dsg’s assessment and provided there is no duplication of funding for the same project scope.

Tidy Maintenance & Engineering logo
Filos Community Services logo
Surface logo

“Actionable tools that [we] can implement easily. We were very satisfied with Kimming and his team at Creativeans and are confident of their expertise to help Tidy become the leading brand in the disposal and recycling industry.”

Vincent Wang, DirectorTidy Maintenance & Engineering

Explore Other Grants

EDGE Grant

EDGE Grant

ENTERPRISE SINGAPORE EDGE GRANT

For businesses looking to upgrade capabilities, improve efficiency or expand overseas. Supports eligible activities across strategy, branding, innovation, digitalisation and sustainability, with up to 70% support for SMEs depending on the activity.

Learn More
Red Lips "Mini Kueh Pie Tee Cups" packaging boxes arranged on a maroon surface.

DTDi

Double Tax Deduction for Internationalisation

A tax incentive, not a grant. Lets eligible Singapore companies deduct 200% of qualifying expenses incurred for internationalisation activities, against taxable income. Administered by IRAS and EnterpriseSG.

Learn More