Heritage Grants Scheme

The National Heritage Board (NHB) Heritage Grants Scheme co-funds ground-up, community-initiated projects that help people learn about Singapore's history and shared heritage, add to heritage knowledge, strengthen neighbourhood heritage appreciation, engage local communities, or connect Singaporeans through shared heritage. It is distinct from NHB's Heritage Research Grant: the Heritage Grants Scheme is for community heritage projects, while the Heritage Research Grant is a separate research-funding route (NHB, Minor and Major Project Grants, notice dated 15 December 2025; NHB, Heritage Research Grant).

Minor and Major Project Grants

The scheme has two grant types. The Minor Project Grant is suited to first-time or smaller starter projects, recurring heritage themes, school heritage spaces, and projects with costs typically below S$100,000. The Major Project Grant is suited to applicants experienced in developing heritage projects and to larger projects involving robust qualitative research or addressing a research gap. NHB may determine the funding type for eligible shortlisted applications, so selecting a type is not a promise that the applicant will receive that type (NHB, Heritage Grants Scheme Guidelines 2026, pp. 2–3).

2026 funding ceilings and project scope

For applications submitted from April 2026 onwards, both grant types provide up to 80% of qualifying project costs, or up to the approved project's net deficit, whichever is lower. The maximum is S$50,000 for a Minor Project Grant and S$150,000 for a Major Project Grant. These are funding maxima rather than guaranteed awards, and the final grant depends on assessment, approval, qualifying costs, income, and the net-deficit rule (NHB, Minor and Major Project Grants, notice dated 15 December 2025).

Supported project forms include exhibitions, programmes, documentaries, publications, events, and galleries or corners, but the list is not exhaustive. Projects related to the performing arts where performance is the primary component are outside this scheme's supportable categories and may instead fit National Arts Council schemes. Projects must normally be completed within 24 months of the grant-award start date or within the approved schedule in the Letter of Award (NHB, Heritage Grants Scheme overview 2026; NHB, Heritage Grants Scheme Guidelines 2026, pp. 2–4).

Eligibility and application route

Eligible applicants include Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents aged 18 or above and residing in Singapore, locally registered non-profit organisations, interest groups, clans or associations, and schools under MOE. Informal groups need a nominated individual or local legally constituted organisation to take legal and financial responsibility. A person applying for a Major Project Grant must have a co-applicant and a confirmed partnership with a registered non-profit organisation or society. Local or foreign public institutions receiving operational funding from government agencies, for-profit organisations, existing Heritage Grants recipients, and applicants acting on behalf of another entity without direct project ownership are not eligible under the published criteria (NHB, Heritage Grants Scheme overview 2026; NHB, Heritage Grants Scheme Guidelines 2026, pp. 5–6).

Applications are submitted through the OurSG Grants Portal using Singpass or Corppass; organisations must use a valid Corppass account. NHB's 2026 overview lists two application windows, 4 March–15 April 2026 and 4 August–15 September 2026, with expected result notifications by the end of July and end of December respectively. The windows and dates are for the published 2026 cycle, not a permanent always-open route (NHB, Heritage Grants Scheme overview 2026).