Local Enterprise and Association Development (LEAD) Programme
The Local Enterprise and Association Development Programme (LEAD) is overseen by Enterprise Singapore and Singapore Tourism Board (STB) to support efforts by Trade Associations and Chambers (TACs) to drive industry initiatives, focusing on areas like technology and infrastructure, business collaborations, as well as intelligence and research.
STB supports tourism-related associations by strengthening their capabilities to enable them to take on a greater leadership role to drive the development and growth of their respective industries and precincts.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
LEAD is open to trade associations and chambers (TACs) which can include Singapore-registered societies, professional bodies, unions of employers, overseas business chambers and companies limited by guarantee.
These include Singapore-registered tourism-related associations from industries (such as Attractions, Hotels, Travel Agents, Tourist Guides, MICE, Cruise) and from precincts (such as Orchard Road, Chinatown and Little India).
Proposed projects should involve areas such as training, technology & infrastructure development, business capabilities development, as well as market & channel development and brand development.
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. Examples of qualifying costs include third-party costs related to professional services, equipment and materials, business development, training and manpower-related costs.
APPLICATION EVALUATION
Each application will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Generally, we would take into account various factors including, but not limited to, the association's financial position and operating track record, developmental plans for the industry or precinct, and the nature of the projects.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested tourism-related associations should email to STB_Incentives@stb.gov.sg with a brief description of the association's aims and the proposed project(s). 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 LEAD and to proceed with the application.
Please note that 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 tourism-related projects, you may contact the STB Incentive Policy Department at STB_Incentives@stb.gov.sg for more information. For all other projects, you may contact Enterprise Singapore at enquiry@enterprisesg.gov.sg for more information on application requirements.
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.