At a glance
MCF component
Main purpose
Public funding approach
Manpower Development (MCF-MD)
Training, talent and workforce capability
Activity-specific rates and caps
Business Development (MCF-BD)
New or expanded maritime functions in Singapore / internationalisation
Project-specific co-funding
Productivity (MCF-P)
Ecosystem digitalisation, technology and productivity
Project-specific co-funding
What does it support?
MCF-Manpower Development covers maritime training, talent development, attachments and selected HR or training-capability projects.
MCF-Business Development supports qualifying companies establishing or expanding maritime activities and functions in Singapore or pursuing eligible internationalisation initiatives.
MCF-Productivity supports customised ecosystem projects that use digitalisation or technology to generate measurable productivity gains and strengthen SME partners across the maritime value chain.
Who can apply?
Eligibility is route-specific. MCF generally targets maritime companies and organisations with substantive Singapore maritime activity. Manpower support may also apply to eligible individuals or local employees depending on the sub-scheme. Business and productivity applications are assessed on the proposed maritime activity, economic or productivity outcomes and project structure.
How does the support work?
There is no single MCF funding rate. Manpower Development contains multiple activity-specific rates and caps, while Business Development and Productivity are assessed project by project. This page deliberately does not convert the umbrella programme into a single headline percentage.
What expenditure can qualify?
Supported costs depend on the route and can include eligible training and talent costs, business-development expenditure, and project-specific digitalisation, technology and productivity-transformation costs.
Key conditions
Applicants should seek support before starting the funded activity. MPA states that complete project information should generally reach the MCF Secretariat at least 30 days before project commencement, and earlier engagement is sensible for complex projects.
Productivity projects should be ecosystem-oriented and demonstrate measurable gains rather than operate as generic single-company software subsidies.
Timing and application process
MCF is an ongoing programme with component-specific application mechanics rather than one fixed closing date. Timing should be driven by the planned project start and the requirement to engage MPA before commencement.
The first step is to select the correct MCF route. Companies should then prepare the project rationale, expected maritime impact, workplan, qualifying costs and measurable outcomes, and engage the MCF Secretariat before formal submission.
Is this scheme relevant to your project?
A strong fit is a maritime company with a clearly defined manpower, business-development or ecosystem-productivity objective aligned with one MCF component. A weak fit is a non-maritime project or an attempt to apply one generic funding rate across materially different MCF activities.
How Reeve | R&D supports the scheme
Reeve | R&D can manage the incentive workstream - eligibility assessment, project structuring, funding or tax-benefit modelling, application preparation, agency interaction and post-award requirements - while the company remains the formal applicant where required by the programme.
Frequently asked questions
Is MCF one grant with one funding rate?
No. It is an umbrella programme with different components and activity-specific support terms.
What are the main MCF routes?
Manpower Development, Business Development and Productivity.
How early should a company engage MPA?
Complete project information should generally be provided at least 30 days before commencement; earlier engagement is prudent for complex projects.
Is MCF Productivity a standard software grant?
No. The current programme focuses on customised ecosystem projects with measurable productivity and SME capability outcomes.
Official programme sources
mpa.gov.sg (opens in a new tab)Last verified: 46296