Executive summary
Government co-innovation programmes help companies develop new products with partners in other countries, sharing the cost of joint R&D. They can be valuable, but only when the project already makes commercial sense. This playbook explains how to assess eligibility and strategic fit, using Singapore's programmes as a worked example.
The opportunity and supporting evidence
According to Enterprise Singapore, its Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) is a network of Singapore and overseas partners in innovation hubs and demand markets. Under GIA, Co-Innovation Programmes support Singapore-based companies and overseas partners to collaborate on R&D projects that should result in new products or solutions with strong market potential.
Enterprise Singapore states:
•For calls from 1 October 2024, eligible companies can receive up to 50% support from the Enterprise Development Grant (Co-Innovation Programme) for qualifying costs.
•For calls launched from 1 April 2026, as announced in Budget 2026, support rises to up to 70%.
•Applicants must be locally owned (at least 30% held by Singaporeans or permanent residents), financially viable, and registered and operating in Singapore.
•Companies can look for overseas partners through the b2match platform or IPI's Innovation Marketplace; some programmes have dedicated partner searches.
Separately, the Open Innovation Network, set up by Enterprise Singapore and IMDA, lists challenges from companies and agencies that invite solutions for co-development and test-bedding.
Status. These programmes are operational, but each call has its own window and partner countries. Information was checked in October 2026.
Countries, sectors and participants
•Singapore-based companies: with R&D capability and an overseas partner.
•Overseas partners: in demand markets or innovation hubs.
•Startups and SMEs: responding to open-innovation challenges.
•Corporates and agencies: posting challenges.
Potential collaboration models
1.Joint R&D – with an overseas partner who brings market access or technology.
2.Challenge-based co-development – through open-innovation platforms.
3.Pilot and test-bed partnerships – with a corporate or agency challenge owner.
Operating considerations and constraints
•Eligibility is strict; foreign-owned companies may not qualify as lead applicant.
•Grants cover qualifying costs only, and usually require co-funding.
•Do not assume support can be combined with other grants – check compatibility and caps.
•IP ownership between partners must be agreed upfront.
•Reporting and claims processes take management time.
Practical next steps
1.Confirm your company meets the ownership and registration criteria.
2.Check which calls are currently open and which partner countries they cover.
3.Validate the commercial case before applying – would you do the project without the grant?
4.Agree IP, cost sharing and commercialisation terms with your partner.
5.Prepare a clear budget showing qualifying costs.
What remains uncertain
Grant terms are reviewed regularly, and calls open and close. Confirm the latest terms with Enterprise Singapore before relying on any figure here.