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Minor and Major Project Grants

MINOR AND MAJOR PROJECT GRANTS

The NHB Heritage Grants Scheme consists of the Minor Project Grant and Major Project Grant.

The Heritage Grants Scheme aims to support Singapore's lively and diverse heritage scene, by providing grants to co-fund interested individuals and non-profit groups seeking to develop grounds-up and community-initiated projects that:

  • promote the learning and appreciation of Singapore's history and shared heritage;
  • add to the knowledge and understanding about heritage in Singapore;
  • enhance heritage appreciation in neighbourhoods;
  • engage the local community; and/or
  • connect Singaporeans through our shared heritage.

Please download the latest Heritage Grants Scheme Guidelines here for more details on the application, funding criteria, and processes.

WHAT DOES THE GRANT SUPPORT

The Minor and Major Project Grants support a wide range of community heritage projects.

Note: Projects related to the performing arts with performance as a primary component do not fall under the list of supportable project categories. Applicant may consider applying for the grants schemes under the National Arts Council (NAC).

For more information on the supportable/non-supportable projects, please refer to the Heritage Grants Scheme Guidelines.

ABOUT THE GRANT MINOR PROJECT GRANT MAJOR PROJECT GRANT

Funding Support

Up to 50% of qualifying project costs, or up to the net deficit of approved projects, whichever is lower.

The maximum funding for a project is S$50,000.

Up to 50% of qualifying project costs, or up to the net deficit of approved projects, whichever is lower.

The maximum funding for a project is S$150,000. 

Suitable For

  • First-timers, with little/no experience in heritage projects

  • Starter projects

  • Projects on recurring heritage themes

  • School heritage spaces

  • Projects costs typically below S$100,000

  • Applicants with experience in developing heritage projects

  • Applicants with good track record in grant/heritage projects

  • Impactful projects that address a research gap

  • Projects on lesser-known heritage themes, ethnic communities, traditions, and trades

  • Projects costs typically S$100,001 and above

Examples of Common Project Types

✔ Exhibitions
✔ Programmes
✔ Documentaries
✔ Publications
✔ Events
✔ Galleries/Corners

Applicants are encouraged to find innovative and effective ways to preserve and present our heritage.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility

  • Singapore Citizen/Permanent Resident who is 18 years old and above and residing in Singapore

  • Locally registered non-profit organisations, interest groups and clans/associations

  • Schools under the purview of the Ministry of Education (MOE)

  • Informal groups with a nominated individual or locally legally constituted organisation (to take legal and financial responsibility of the grant)

  • Individuals who are applying for the Major Project Grant must apply with a co-applicant(s); and projects must have a confirmed partnership with a registered non-profit organisation/society

Not Eligible:

  • Local and/or foreign public agencies and institutions receiving operational funding from government agencies (this excludes schools under the purview of MOE)

  • Existing Heritage Grants recipients, or recipients with outstanding grant repayments 

  • For-profit organisations

  • Individuals and organisations applying on behalf of any entity and are not in direct ownership of the project

For more information, please download the Heritage Grants Scheme Guidelines here.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please visit OurSG Grants Portal and ensure that you have a valid Singpass/Corppass. Applications are only accepted via OurSG Grants Portal.

Note: Organisations must apply via OurSG Grants Portal using a valid Corppass account. Applicants applying for an Organisation using a Singpass account will not be accepted.

  • Click here if you wish to register for Singpass.

  • Click here if you wish to register for Corppass.

WHEN TO APPLY

The grant is open for application two times a year. All applications must reach us before or on the application closing dates by 2359h regardless of whether it is a weekend or a Public Holiday. Late applications will not be accepted. The table below lists the key dates and windows that you will need to keep in mind as you are preparing for your application.

Application Windows Expected Notification of Results For Projects Commencing After Acceptance of Offer

4 Mar - 15 Apr

End July

September

Two weeks from date stated in the Letter of Award

4 Aug - 15 Sep

End December

February of the following year

Two weeks from date stated in the Letter of Award

Successful applicants must accept the Letter of Award within 14 days from the issuance date of the Letter of Award (failure to do so will result in a lapse of the award). All results are final.

USEFUL RESOURCES

General Resources

Guides

Research Resources

Summary of Research Materials at National Heritage Board and National Archives Singapore

Primary Materials

Secondary Materials  

  • Biblioasia (quarterly publication by NHB that features multi-disciplinary articles related to Singapore)
  • Curiocity (interactive portal featuring digital stories and VR tours on the history of places and buildings in Singapore)

Heritage Grants Clinic

Join us at the Heritage Grants Clinics to learn more about the NHB Heritage Grants Scheme (Minor and Major Project Grants), as well as good practices and useful tips that may come in handy when you prepare your grant application.

The Grants Clinics are organised biannually, in February and July each year. Registration for the clinic typically commences one month prior to the session.

To express your interest in attending the next clinic, please click on the following link. Once the clinic is open for registration, you will receive an email from us containing the details and registration instructions.

https://go.gov.sg/clinicmailinglist

GRANT PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Documentaries

Documentaries
 

Events & Heritage Trails

Events
 

Exhibitions

Exhibitions
 

Games & Websites

Games
 

Publications

Publications
 

School Heritage Corners/ Galleries

School Heritage Corner/Gallery
 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

APPLICATION

1. Can I or my organisation apply for more than one grant?

You are only allowed to submit one application per grant cycle. Should the application be awarded the grant, you will not be eligible to apply for another grant until your current grant project is completed.

2. Can I apply for the Minor and Major Project Grants via email?

No, only applications submitted through the OurSG Grants (OSG) portal will be accepted.

3. We missed the application deadline. Can I submit a late application?

No, we do not accept late or incomplete applications. Interested applicants are highly encouraged to submit your applications early to avoid disappointment.

4. I am unable to submit my application via the OurSG Grants portal due to technical issues, how can I proceed with the application?

In the event of technical error, send us a screenshot of the error message at nhb_heritagegrants@nhb.gov.sg. You may also refer to the Frequently Asked Questions on the application and post-application process via OurSG Grants portal here.

5. How are the grant applications evaluated?

All eligible applications will be evaluated based on Merit of Proposal, Soundness of Project Planning and Outreach of Proposal. More details on the assessment criteria can be found on the Heritage Grants Scheme Guidelines.

6. Can I find out why my application was rejected?

NHB is unable to share the details of the grant evaluation. However, please be assured that every grant application is carefully evaluated according to the grant assessment criteria.

7. I am a representative from an MOE school and is interested to apply for the Minor Project Grant for the school’s heritage corner. Where can I find out more about the grant application process?

Please refer to the Heritage Grants Scheme Guidelines. NHB also organises Grants Clinics in February and July each year to share on the application process and good practices for grant applications. To express your interest in attending the next clinic, please click on the following link: https://go.gov.sg/clinicmailinglist. Once the clinic is open for registration, you will receive an email containing the details and registration instructions. Schools are also reminded to apply using Corppass as it is a requirement for organisational applicants to do so. 

8. I am an individual who is interested in applying for the Minor Project Grant for my own project. Where can I find out more about the grant application process?

Please refer to the Heritage Grants Scheme Guidelines. NHB also organises Grants Clinics in February and July each year to share on the application process and good practices for grant applications. To express your interest in attending the next clinic, please click on the following link: https://go.gov.sg/clinicmailinglist. Once the clinic is open for registration, you will receive an email containting the details and registration instructions.

9. Who can accept the Letter of Award upon successful grant application?

If Singpass is used to apply for the grant, the Singpass account owner can accept the Letter of Award.
If Corppass is used to apply for the grant, only the individual assigned the “Acceptor” role in Corppass can accept the Letter of Award. To find out what your Corppass role is, look for the role label next to your log in account name, located on the masthead. For queries about your Corppass, you can contact Corppass or take a look at their user guides.

10. How do I accept the Letter of Award upon successful grant application?

For individual applicants who has applied using Singpass:

  1. Log in to the OurSG Grants portal.
  2. Navigate to the Applications box on the Dashboard to view your most recent applications.
  3. Identify the grant with status Application Approved. Click on the View Offer button.
  4. Follow the steps on the webpage and click Accept Offer when you are ready

For organisation applicants who has applied using Corppass, please check that you are the Acceptor for your company before following the above steps. To find out what your Corppass role is, look for the role label next to your log in account name located on the masthead. For queries about your Corppass, you can contact Corppass or take a look at their user guides.

FUNDING/CLAIMS

1. Does the Minor and Major Project Grants provide full funding for projects?

No, the Minor and Major Project Grants provide partial funding support, where the grant quantum awarded is a percentage of qualifying project costs. The grant provides up to 50% of total qualifying project cost, or up to the net deficit of approved projects, whichever is lower.

The maximum funding is S$50,000 for Minor Project Grant projects; and S$150,000 for Major Project Grant projects.

For information on qualifying costs, please refer to the Heritage Grants Scheme Guidelines. 

2. How will grant funds/monies be disbursed?

The grant will be disbursed in stages upon submission of all the agreed deliverables at each stage. The disbursements of the grant for the initial tranche(s) will be made on an advance basis; and the final tranche will be made on a reimbursement basis. You will be required to submit supporting documents as proof of payments made (e.g. receipts) at the final disbursement stage for claims processing.

3. My final project expenditure was less than the proposed project expenditure in the proposal during the application, will I still get the full awarded grant amount?

The grant is awarded as a percentage of the total qualifying costs of the project, or up to the net deficit of the approved project, whichever is lower. As such, the final grant amount will be reduced accordingly if lower spending is reported in the final qualifying project expenditure; however, the grant amount will not be increased if the final qualifying project expenditure is higher. Grant recipients will be required to return the excess monies to NHB in the event that the grant disbursed exceeds the revised grant award amount.

TIMELINE

1. When can I apply for the Minor and Major Project Grants?

These grants are open for application twice a year, from 4 March to 15 April; and 4 August to 15 September. Applications close 2359hr on 15 April and 15 September, regardless of whether it is a weekend or Public Holiday. Please visit the section above for more details on the grant application windows and project eligibility.

2. Can my project start before the start date in the Letter of Award (LOA)?

Yes, it is possible. However, please note that the grant does not support completed projects; and/or project costs that are incurred before the grant commencement date (i.e. start date in the LOA).

3. How long can my project last?

Your project should be completed within the approved project timeline outlined and accepted in your Letter of Award. (Note: all projects must be carried out and completed within 24 months from the date of award to be eligible for support under the Minor and Major Project Grants.)