The Design Capability Development Programme (CDP) provides funding support to designers/companies/industry associations. CDP aims to groom designers in Singapore through overseas exposure and continuing professional development, in order to achieve a higher level of design excellence in the local design sector and stay globally competitive.

There are 2 component Grants under the Capability Development Programme: the Overseas Development Grant and the Professional Development Grant.

·         The Overseas Development Grant aims to enhance the international exposure, experience and networks of Singaporean designers and design students by providing financial support for them to undertake internships, attachments, workshops, school exchanges and other relevant programmes overseas. This is open to design students, designers and personnel who are Singaporeans and Singapore PRs.

·         The Professional Development Grant aims to develop the professional skills, design knowledge and management expertise of Singaporean designers by providing sponsorship for Singapore-based companies and firms to engage renowned or established designers or professional trainers to conduct in-house training for their design staff on topics relating to design (e.g. the newest design developments, capabilities, technologies, thinking and concepts in design management and entrepreneurship). This is open to Singapore-based companies.

Overseas Development Grant

For individual applications by designers for the Overseas Development Grant, the Grant will co-fund 50% of the total cost of participation in the programme up to a maximum amount of S$15,000 for the following eligible items:

1                     Official fees for participation in the programme (not applicable to school fees payable under exchange programmes that would already be charged under the original course of studies)

2                     Economy class airfare

3                     Overseas airport transfer

4                     4-star and below overseas accommodation

5                     Overseas subsistence allowances based on prevailing government guidelines

The applying designer should be:

1                     A Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident

2                     A design student pursuing a design-related course at a bona fide tertiary institution or a practising designer

3                     A member of or registered with an appropriate industry association in Singapore (where possible)

4                     Invited to, admitted into or in the process of applying to a credible programme

Professional Development Programme

For applications by companies or firms for the Professional Development Grant, the Grant will co-fund 50% of the total cost of the programme up to a maximum amount of S$25,000 for the following eligible items:

1                     Professional fees for the instructor or trainer

2                     Venue and other necessary organising expenses

3                     Economy class airfare for instructor or trainer (only for instructor based overseas)

4                     Airport transfer for instructor or trainer (only for instructor based overseas)

5                     4-star and below local accommodation for instructor or trainer (only for instructor based overseas)

6                     Subsistence allowances for instructor or trainer based on prevailing government guidelines (only for instructor based overseas)

The applying company or firm should be:

1                     A company or firm registered and based with significant number of design staff

2                     Have Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents comprising at least 75% of the company or firm’s design staff

3                     A member of or registered with an appropriate industry association in Singapore (where possible)

4                     Invited or in the process of inviting a renowned or established designer or professional trainer to conduct in-house training for their design staff

All applications must be made together with supporting documents at least 2 months before the commencement of the training programme.

For more information, please email Mr Woo Huaijie at woo_huaijie@mica.gov.sg

Industry Association Development Scheme (IADS)

The Industry Association Development Scheme (IADS) aims to cultivate a competitive design eco-system through the expanded role of the respective design associations. Each association aims to develop design excellence in their disciplines, continuing professional development and new market access.

Co-funding support through DesignSingapore is available to industry associations through a scheme called the Industry Association Development Scheme, where co-funding support of up to 50% of total cost, or a capped amount (depending on type of event or items that require funding) is given to an industry association for organising events, exhibitions, congresses or participating at overseas competitions/design platforms.

All applications should be submitted at least 2 months before the actual event/internship/attachment/learning session.

For more information please email Ms Charlotte Chin at charlotte_chin@mica.gov.sg