As a vital technology innovation hub in the Asia-Pacific region, Singapore consistently places environmental technology innovation at the core of its national development strategy. With the deepening implementation of the “Green Plan 2030,” the Singapore government has further increased its support for environmental technology innovation by introducing a series of targeted and comprehensive support policies. Currently, Singapore’s environmental technology innovation funding system has formed a multi-level, comprehensive support framework, providing broad opportunities for global enterprises to conduct environmental technology innovation in Singapore.
I. Overview of Singapore’s Environmental Technology Innovation Funding System
1.1 Policy Framework of the Funding System
Singapore’s environmental technology innovation funding system uses the “Green Plan 2030” as its overall guideline, with “zero carbon emissions” and “zero waste” as core objectives. The funding system is built upon a series of laws and regulations including the Environmental Protection and Management Act and Renewable Energy Development Regulations, implemented through specific measures such as “R&D Grant Programs,” “Industry Transformation Support Programs,” and “Green Innovation Fund.” In the “2024 Environment and Sustainability Budget,” the Singapore government explicitly proposed investing 2.5 billion SGD to support environmental technology innovation, focusing on breakthrough and demonstration applications of key technologies with independent intellectual property rights.
The funding system adopts a “government-guided, market-operated” model, establishing a full-chain support mechanism covering technology R&D, achievement transformation, and industrial application through special funds, complementary policies, and service system optimization. Meanwhile, Singapore has established a technology innovation voucher system, providing up to 500,000 SGD in innovation support for SMEs, effectively reducing enterprise innovation costs.
1.2 Main Management Organizations and Function Distribution
Singapore’s environmental technology innovation funding system has formed a multi-department collaborative management structure. The National Environment Agency (NEA) serves as the lead organization, with its Environmental Technology Institute managing various innovation projects with an annual funding scale of 1.2 billion SGD. Enterprise Singapore focuses on industrial transformation and upgrading, particularly supporting environmental industry cluster development and international cooperation. The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) focuses on basic research and talent cultivation, investing 300 million SGD annually to support frontier technology research in environmental fields.
To improve management efficiency, Singapore has established a “one-stop service platform,” achieving full electronic processing for project application, review, and fund disbursement. Additionally, an expert advisory committee comprising over 30 experts from government departments, research institutions, and enterprises provides professional support for major project decisions. Management organizations hold quarterly joint meetings to coordinate and resolve key challenges in policy implementation.
1.3 Funding Scale and Investment Direction
Singapore’s environmental technology innovation funding has shown year-on-year growth. The 2024 budget shows government investment in environmental technology innovation reaching 3.5 billion SGD, a 15% increase from the previous year. This includes 1.25 billion SGD for clean energy technology, focusing on solar and hydrogen energy technology R&D and demonstration; 1.05 billion SGD for resource recycling, mainly for solid waste treatment and water purification technology innovation; 850 million SGD for environmental monitoring and management, supporting air quality improvement and soil remediation technology breakthroughs; and 350 million SGD for other innovation areas.
In terms of specific support methods, Singapore adopts a combination of “grants + incentives + services.” Basic research projects can receive up to 80% funding; demonstration application projects can enjoy up to 70% cost subsidies; and industrialization projects can receive interest-free loans of up to 5 million SGD. Additionally, eligible innovative enterprises can enjoy tax benefits such as R&D expense super-deductions and equipment investment credits. Furthermore, Singapore provides supporting services such as venues, equipment, and technical support through science parks and incubators.
Funding support strictly follows the principles of “competitive project selection, classified support, and performance management.” Project evaluation adopts dual “technical + market” standards, focusing on technological innovation, market prospects, and team strength. Funded projects must submit quarterly progress reports and undergo dynamic monitoring and performance evaluation. Projects with significant results can receive priority for subsequent support; underperforming projects face funding reduction or termination.
These policy frameworks and funding support have laid a solid foundation for Singapore to build a leading environmental technology innovation center in the Asia-Pacific region. Through systematic policy guidance and sustained funding investment, Singapore is attracting an increasing number of innovative enterprises and talents, driving continuous breakthroughs in environmental technology innovation.
II. Analysis of NEA’s Key Funding Projects
2.1 Pollution Prevention and Control Technology Innovation Grants
The NEA has established a special funding program for pollution prevention and control technology innovation, focusing on R&D and application of pollution control technologies for air, water, soil, and other environmental elements. The program invests 400 million SGD annually, with individual projects eligible for up to 2 million SGD in funding. In air pollution control, it focuses on industrial exhaust treatment, mobile source pollution control, and indoor air quality improvement technologies, having supported 15 carbon capture and storage demonstration projects, driving social investment exceeding 800 million SGD. In water pollution control, it primarily funds membrane separation, biological treatment, and advanced oxidation technology development, having supported the construction of 5 industrial wastewater treatment demonstration projects with a daily treatment capacity of 50,000 cubic meters. In soil remediation, it supports in-situ and ex-situ treatment technology R&D, completing soil remediation projects in key areas such as Jurong Island’s chemical industry zone.
2.2 Clean Energy Application Demonstration Grants
To promote energy structure transformation, the NEA has established a clean energy application demonstration special program with annual funding of 500 million SGD. In solar energy, it focuses on supporting innovations in high-efficiency photovoltaic modules, smart grid connection, and energy storage technologies, having completed over 2,000 rooftop photovoltaic demonstration projects with a total installed capacity of 440 MW. In hydrogen energy applications, it supports the development of full-chain technologies for hydrogen production, storage, transportation, and application, having built 3 hydrogen refueling demonstration stations and promoted over 100 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. In biomass energy utilization, it supports technology R&D for food waste and sludge energy conversion, having built 2 large-scale biomass energy processing facilities with an annual processing capacity of 500,000 tons.
2.3 Solid Waste Treatment Technology Enhancement Grants
Following the “zero waste” strategy, the NEA has established a solid waste treatment technology enhancement special program with annual funding of 300 million SGD. In solid waste resource utilization, it focuses on supporting recycling technology innovation for construction waste, electronic waste, and plastic waste, having built 6 resource recycling demonstration bases with an annual processing capacity exceeding 1 million tons. In waste incineration power generation, it supports technology R&D in efficient clean incineration and flue gas purification, completing technical upgrades of 4 waste-to-energy plants with a 30% increase in total processing capacity. In waste sorting, it supports smart classification and fine sorting technology applications, promoting over 2,000 smart waste sorting facilities nationwide.
2.4 Environmental Monitoring Technology R&D Grants
The NEA highly values environmental monitoring capacity building, establishing an environmental monitoring technology R&D special program with annual funding of 200 million SGD. In air quality monitoring, it supports new technology applications such as micro-sensors and mobile monitoring, having built a nationwide air quality monitoring network achieving minute-level data updates. In water environment monitoring, it supports technology innovation in online monitoring and early warning systems, deploying 100 smart monitoring stations in major rivers and reservoirs. In ecological environment monitoring, it supports satellite remote sensing and drone patrol technology applications, establishing a comprehensive ecological environment monitoring system.
III. Enterprise Singapore’s Special Support Programs
3.1 Industrial Upgrade and Transformation Grants
Enterprise Singapore has established an environmental industry upgrade and transformation special program to support enterprises in technological transformation and intelligent upgrading. The program’s 2024 funding scale reaches 600 million SGD, a 15% increase from 2023. It focuses on three directions: First is green transformation of production processes, providing up to 60% renovation cost subsidies for enterprises adopting clean production technologies, with a maximum subsidy of 2 million SGD per project. As of Q2 2024, it has supported over 200 enterprises in completing energy conservation and emission reduction technology upgrades, achieving average energy consumption reduction of 25% and wastewater discharge reduction of 35%.
Second is equipment intelligence upgrading, supporting enterprises in adopting smart manufacturing and industrial IoT technologies, with individual projects eligible for up to 1 million SGD in funding. Currently, 15 smart manufacturing demonstration factories have been built, driving over 300 supporting enterprises to implement digital transformation. In Jurong Industrial Estate, the smart environmental protection equipment manufacturing industry cluster has taken initial shape, achieving an output value of 8.5 billion SGD in 2023.
Third is industrial chain upgrading, focusing on supporting environmental protection equipment manufacturing and environmental services development. Through the “Chain Leading Enterprise Cultivation Program,” 50 leading enterprises with annual revenue exceeding 100 million SGD have been cultivated. These enterprises drive the coordinated development of over 1,200 upstream and downstream SMEs, forming a complete industrial ecosystem. In the international market, Singapore’s environmental protection equipment manufacturing enterprises have captured 30% of the Southeast Asian market share.
3.2 Technology Innovation Capability Building Grants
Enterprise Singapore has launched a technology innovation capability building program with a 2024 investment of 350 million SGD. The program includes three sub-projects: R&D center construction grants, intellectual property creation grants, and innovation platform co-construction grants. In R&D center construction, it supports enterprises in building technical R&D institutions, providing up to 70% of construction funding support. To date, it has helped 35 enterprises establish provincial-level or above R&D centers, with 5 reaching national level. These R&D centers have average annual R&D investment exceeding 50 million SGD, developing over 80 new products.
In intellectual property creation, it provides subsidies for enterprises conducting patent applications and technical standard development. Patent applications receive up to 500,000 SGD in funding, while standard development receives up to 1 million SGD. Over the past three years, it has supported over 1,200 patent applications, with invention patents accounting for 65%; participated in developing 28 international standards, significantly enhancing Singapore’s voice in the environmental protection field.
In innovation platform co-construction, it supports enterprises in jointly building innovation platforms with universities and research institutes. Currently, 15 industry-university-research collaborative innovation centers have been established, covering key areas such as water treatment, solid waste utilization, and clean energy. These innovation centers undertake over 100 R&D projects annually, with a technology achievement transformation rate exceeding 60%.
3.3 International Cooperation Project Matching Grants
To promote international technology exchange and cooperation, Enterprise Singapore has established international cooperation matching funds with a 2024 scale of 250 million SGD. In technology introduction, it provides up to 50% cost subsidies for enterprises introducing advanced international environmental protection technologies. Recently, it has supported 30 major technology introduction projects, including Siemens’ industrial wastewater zero discharge technology and Mitsubishi’s waste incineration power generation technology, significantly improving related industry technology levels.
In international mergers and acquisitions, a 1 billion SGD special fund has been established to provide financing support for enterprises conducting overseas acquisitions. It has cumulatively supported 8 overseas acquisition transactions totaling over 1.5 billion SGD. Through acquisitions, enterprises have quickly obtained core technologies and market channels, achieving leap-forward development. A typical case is Sunlight Engineering’s acquisition of an Australian water treatment company, successfully entering the Oceania market.
In international market development, implementing the “Environmental Protection Enterprise Going Global Plan,” it supports enterprises in participating in international exhibitions and building overseas marketing networks. It provides exhibition booth fee subsidies, market research costs, and other support, with an annual funding limit of 500,000 SGD per enterprise. Currently, it has helped over 100 enterprises successfully expand into international markets, with 40 enterprises establishing branches in Belt and Road countries.
IV. A*STAR Joint Funding Projects
4.1 Frontier Technology R&D Grants
A*STAR has established an environmental protection frontier technology R&D special program with annual funding of 550 million SGD, focusing on driving key technology breakthroughs. In carbon neutrality technology, it focuses on supporting frontier technology R&D in carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) and low-carbon industrial process redesign, having launched 15 major science and technology special projects, with technology achieving 40% carbon capture cost reduction entering industrial demonstration phase. In seawater desalination, it supports research in new technologies such as graphene membranes and biomimetic separation, achieving technological breakthroughs with 30% energy consumption reduction, currently under demonstration at the Tuas Desalination Plant. In biodegradable materials, it supports technology innovation in degradable plastics and bio-based materials, having developed over 10 new materials with independent intellectual property rights, with some products achieving industrialization.
To ensure R&D direction aligns with industry needs, A*STAR has established a “posting and bidding” mechanism, where enterprises propose technology needs and solutions are solicited globally. In 2023, 80 technology needs were released, attracting over 300 institutions to participate in bidding, with the first batch of 20 projects approved. Meanwhile, a “Joint Laboratory” project has been established, supporting enterprises and research institutions in jointly building R&D platforms, with 12 joint laboratories established to date, obtaining 350 authorized patents.
4.2 Industry-University-Research Cooperation Innovation Grants
A*STAR has launched an industry-university-research collaborative innovation program with annual investment of 400 million SGD, promoting industry-research connection and achievement transformation. In basic platform construction, it supports environmental technology innovation centers at institutions like Nanyang Technological University and National University of Singapore, having built 8 national-level innovation platforms. In key project cooperation, adopting a “university-enterprise joint, fund-sharing” model, it provides up to 80% funding for industry-university-research cooperation projects, cumulatively supporting over 200 cooperation projects, achieving 120 technology achievement transformations.
To accelerate technology achievement industrialization, an “Innovation Voucher” system has been established, allowing enterprises to use vouchers to purchase technical services from universities and research institutes. In 2023, innovation vouchers worth 120 million SGD were issued, serving over 500 enterprises. Meanwhile, a “Technology Manager” system has been established, dispatching science and technology special commissioners to provide enterprise services, helping enterprises solve technical problems, with 180 technology managers dispatched, serving over 300 enterprises.
4.3 Talent Development Special Grants
A*STAR highly values environmental technology talent development, establishing special funds of 300 million SGD to build a multi-level talent cultivation system. In high-level talent cultivation, the “Environmental Technology Leading Talent Program” selects 30 outstanding researchers annually, providing up to 5 million SGD in R&D funding support. In young talent cultivation, the “Young Scientist Program” supports innovation research by talents under 35, providing 500,000 SGD annual funding per person.
To strengthen international talent introduction, implementing the “Overseas Talent Introduction Plan” provides housing subsidies, children’s education, and other preferential policies for high-level foreign talents, having introduced over 80 high-level overseas talents. Meanwhile, establishing the “Industrial PhD Program” supports enterprise employees in pursuing doctoral degrees while working, with 120 industrial PhD students currently enrolled. Establishing “Industry Practice Bases” supports student internships in enterprises, training over 600 professional talents annually.
V. Application Process and Evaluation Standards
5.1 Project Application Requirements and Process
Application Platform and Basic Requirements: Singapore’s environmental protection technology innovation project applications adopt an “entirely online, categorized processing, rolling support” operation mode. Applying organizations need to register and authenticate through the Government Technology Agency (GovTech) unified portal (www.tech.gov.sg). During registration, organizations must provide basic enterprise information, qualification certificates, financial statements, and other materials, obtaining application qualification after automatic system verification and manual review. The platform supports bilingual applications in Chinese and English, facilitating international enterprise participation. The system provides 24/7 online service with AI customer service assistance for form completion.
Categorized Application Channels: Three application channels are established based on project nature: Research & Development, Demonstration, and Industrialization. R&D projects focus on supporting breakthrough technologies and innovative product development in environmental protection fields, including water treatment, solid waste treatment, and air pollution control. Demonstration projects target new technology application demonstrations and business model innovation, emphasizing project typicality and promotion value. Industrialization projects support the scaled application of mature technologies to promote environmental protection industry development. Each channel has different application conditions and evaluation criteria.
Application Material Requirements: Application materials include project proposals, financial budgets, team introductions, and cooperation agreements, all requiring completion using standard templates provided by the platform. Project proposals must detail technological innovation points, implementation plans, and expected outcomes, not exceeding 50 pages. Financial budgets must itemize all expenditures and explain funding sources. Team introductions should highlight core members’ backgrounds and R&D capabilities. Cooperative projects must provide cooperation agreements clarifying all parties’ rights and responsibilities.
Phased Application Process: Applications are divided into two stages: intention collection and formal application. During the intention collection stage, applying organizations submit a roughly 5-page project overview, including innovation content, technical approach, and market analysis. The management department organizes expert preliminary reviews, focusing on project innovation and feasibility, providing improvement suggestions. Projects passing preliminary review enter the formal application stage, requiring complete application materials submission within 30 working days. Formal application materials undergo format review before entering expert evaluation.
Differentiated Application Requirements: Different entry thresholds are set for various project types. R&D projects require applicants to have independent legal person status, registration exceeding 3 years, a dedicated R&D team of no less than 10 people, R&D investment no less than 3% of revenue in the past three years, and relevant field invention patents. Demonstration projects require applicants to have successful cases in target fields, demonstration project construction capability, and supporting funds in place ratio no less than 30%. Industrialization projects require applicants to have annual revenue exceeding 50 million SGD, scale production facilities, and project investment recovery period not exceeding 5 years.
5.2 Evaluation Indicator System
Multi-dimensional Evaluation Framework: Singapore has established a scientific and standardized project evaluation system, adopting a “technology + economic + management” multi-dimensional evaluation model. Evaluation indicators cover three dimensions: technological innovation, economic benefits, and implementation capability, with 7 primary indicators and 21 secondary indicators. Technology dimension accounts for 65%, economic dimension 25%, and management dimension 10%. Different projects can adjust indicator weights according to characteristics, ensuring targeted evaluation.
Technical Indicator Assessment: Technical indicators include innovation (30 points), feasibility (20 points), and demonstration value (15 points). Innovation primarily evaluates technological advancement, originality, and intellectual property status; feasibility examines technical solution completeness, R&D condition support, and risk control measures; demonstration value focuses on technology applicability and promotion value. For R&D projects, innovation weight can be increased to 40 points, reducing demonstration value weight.
Economic Indicator Assessment: Economic indicators include market prospects (15 points) and economic benefits (10 points). Market prospect assessment includes market demand analysis, competitive advantages, and business models; economic benefits examine investment return rate, cost-benefit ratio, and employment generation. Industrialization projects’ economic indicator weight can be increased to 35 points, emphasizing project commercial value. For basic research projects, economic indicator weight can be appropriately reduced.
Management Indicator Assessment: Management indicators include team strength (5 points) and implementation plan (5 points). Team strength evaluates core members’ backgrounds, R&D achievements, and project experience; implementation plan examines organizational support, schedule planning, and quality control. Large-scale and cooperative projects’ management indicator weight can be increased to 15 points to ensure smooth project implementation.
Evaluation Process Design: Evaluation adopts a three-level review mechanism of “expert review + site inspection + comprehensive deliberation.” Expert review consists of 7-9 industry experts, combining online and meeting reviews. Site inspections are organized by the management department, focusing on verifying R&D conditions, team configuration, and supporting funds. Comprehensive deliberation is conducted by the decision-making committee, making project approval decisions based on review scores, inspection opinions, and defense performance. In 2023, over 1,200 project applications were received, with 320 projects approved after strict evaluation, averaging a 27% approval rate.
5.3 Fund Distribution and Supervision Mechanism
Phased Distribution System: Project funds adopt a “phased distribution, dynamic supervision, performance management” approach. Standard project funds are distributed in three phases: 30% during startup, mainly for equipment purchase and initial preparation; 50% during implementation, distributed in 4-6 installments based on quarterly progress; 20% during acceptance, distributed after completion and result submission. Major projects exceeding 10 million SGD adopt “milestone-based” distribution, setting 5-7 key nodes linked to task completion.
Dynamic Supervision System: A whole-process supervision mechanism implements “monthly reporting, quarterly inspection, annual assessment.” Project units must submit monthly progress briefs and detailed quarterly technical progress and financial usage reports. The management department organizes expert quarterly on-site inspections, providing early warnings and corrections for problematic projects. Third-party accounting firms conduct tracking audits, focusing on fund usage compliance and effectiveness.
Mid-term Evaluation Mechanism: Projects exceeding 18 months implementation period require mid-term evaluation. Evaluation focuses on project execution progress, result output, and fund usage, with expert teams conducting site visits and providing evaluation opinions. Evaluation results are classified into excellent, good, pass, and fail. Projects rated excellent may receive accelerated fund distribution; failing projects may face required corrections or suspended funding.
Performance Management System: Implementing whole-process performance management, establishing project performance indicator database. Performance indicators include input management, process control, and output effects across three dimensions, covering technological innovation, result transformation, and talent cultivation. Post-project performance evaluation results link to subsequent support policies. Projects with excellent performance receive bonus points for future applications.
Risk Prevention Measures: Establishing project risk warning mechanism, monitoring major changes, progress delays, and abnormal fund usage during project implementation. Setting up project supervision reporting platform for social oversight. For seriously problematic projects, measures include warning talks, funding suspension, project termination, and fund recovery. In 2023, over 180 project inspections were conducted, identifying and supervising the correction of over 50 issues, ensuring fund usage efficiency and project implementation quality.
Conclusion:
Singapore’s environmental protection technology innovation support policy system provides broad development opportunities for global enterprises. Through systematic policy support and continuous capital investment, Singapore is attracting increasingly more innovative enterprises and talent, promoting continuous breakthroughs in environmental protection technology innovation. For Chinese enterprises, thoroughly understanding and utilizing these policies not only helps obtain innovation resources but also accelerates international development by leveraging Singapore’s location advantages and innovation ecosystem. In the future, as China-Singapore cooperation in environmental protection technology continues to deepen, it will bring more development opportunities for enterprises from both countries.
