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Experience Step-Up Fund (ESF)

Application Evaluation Application Process Disbursement of Grant The Next Experience: An Experience Step-Up Fund Grant Call
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​​​The Experience Step-Up Fund (ESF) supports the development and enhancement of Singapore’s tourism experiences that increase the attractiveness of Singapore to visitors.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The ESF is open to all legal entities and Singapore government agencies.

Proposed projects should fall under one of the following categories:

  • Development of new products and experiences(including virtual experiences)
  • Content enhancements
  • Technology enablers
  • Amenities enhancements
  • Infrastructure enhancements 

GRANT SUPPORT

Successful applicants will receive funding support for qualifying costs, subject to the scope of the project and STB's evaluation of the merits of the project. Qualifying costs may include third-party project-related costs such as professional services, hardware/equipment and software, materials and consumables, production (1), and/or marketing (2) costs; and internal manpower costs (only applicable for tour development and tech enabler projects).

(1) For production costs of new products and/or new packaging for souvenirs, funding support is only applicable to the first run of production

(2) For marketing costs of qualifying media (print, digital and video) for overseas promotion/distribution, funding support is only applicable for a maximum period of 6 months

APPLICATION EVALUATION

Proposed projects will be assessed on how they develop tourism experiences to improve visitor satisfaction (especially tourists), increase footfall, increase revenue and/or enhancing the overall destination branding.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Step 1: Pre-Application

Interested applicants are advised to provide an executive summary/ brief description of the proposed project to STB_Incentives@stb.gov.sg. An STB officer will be in touch to assist you further. The STB officer in-charge of your project will advise you if your proposed project is eligible for ESF and to proceed with the application. 

Step 2: Application

a. Prepare the project proposal and estimated breakdown of project costs for submission with your application. (Download the project proposal template here.)

b. Log on to the Business Grants Portal (BGP) with your CorpPass to apply for the grant. Do note that, with complete information on hand, it should take about 30 minutes to complete the application.

Please note that all applications are subject to STB's approval. Projects that have commenced prior to STB's offer of the grant may not be eligible.

DISBURSEMENT OF GRANT

Grants will be disbursed to successful applicants on a reimbursement basis, subject to achievement of the agreed project deliverables and milestones. Applicants are required to submit third-party audited documents on qualifying costs for the disbursement of grants, unless otherwise stated. ​​

CONTACT INFORMATION

For more information and any queries on the grant scheme, you may contact the STB Incentive Policy Department at STB_Incentives@stb.gov.sg.

For any feedback or suggestions, you may email the Quality Service Manager at STBqsm@bizengage.gov.sg or leave your message here.

DID YOU KNOW?

Have you done the Grant Eligibility Check to identify which grant is relevant for your project?

For an overview of all the grants that STB offers, you may refer to the Grants Overview page