Funding for Disability Innovation Projects (Singapore)

Deadline: 28-Aug-2026

The ELI Grant 2026 provides funding for innovative, evidence-based projects that improve the lives of persons with disabilities and their caregivers in Singapore. Funded by Tote Board and managed by SG Enable, the 2026 theme, Community Participation and Engagement, supports solutions that promote independent living, ageing in place, and stronger community support systems.

ELI Grant 2026 for Disability Innovation in Singapore

What is the ELI Grant?

The Enabling Lives Initiative (ELI) Grant is Singapore’s dedicated grant programme for disability innovation. It supports projects that develop innovative and evidence-based solutions to improve the quality of life, independence, and community participation of persons with disabilities and their caregivers.

Funded by Tote Board and managed by SG Enable, the grant encourages collaboration between social service agencies, social enterprises, research institutions, healthcare organizations, commercial companies, and the disability community to address unmet needs through practical and scalable solutions.

In addition to financial support, the programme promotes knowledge sharing, capability development, and impact measurement to help successful projects grow and create long-term social impact.

Funding Overview

The ELI Grant provides funding for eligible innovation projects.

Funding details include:

• Minimum grant amount: SGD 80,000
• Funding support: 50% to 90% of eligible project costs
• Project duration: Minimum 1 year and maximum 2 years

Applicants are expected to contribute co-funding or secure additional financial support for project expenses that are not covered by the grant.

Grant Theme for 2026

Community Participation and Engagement

The 2026 grant theme focuses on helping persons with disabilities:

• Live independently.
• Age in place safely and comfortably.
• Participate actively in their communities.
• Build stronger social connections.
• Access better long-term support systems.

Projects should improve independence while strengthening community inclusion and quality of life.

Programme Objectives

The ELI Grant aims to:

• Improve the lives of persons with disabilities.
• Support caregivers through innovative solutions.
• Address underserved needs within the disability sector.
• Promote independent living.
• Encourage community participation and inclusion.
• Strengthen long-term care planning.
• Foster cross-sector collaboration.
• Generate evidence to support future programme scaling.

Priority Funding Areas

Projects should address one or more of the programme’s priority areas.

Long-Term Care Planning

Eligible initiatives include:

• Customized long-term care planning.
• Transition support services.
• Future care planning.
• Individualized care coordination.

Independent Living Support

Funding supports projects that provide:

• At-home support services.
• Assistive living solutions.
• Independent living technologies.
• Home-based care innovations.

Community Support Systems

The programme encourages initiatives that:

• Strengthen neighbourhood support networks.
• Improve caregiver support.
• Increase community engagement.
• Enhance social participation.
• Build inclusive communities for persons with disabilities.

Who is Eligible?

The ELI Grant is open to organizations based in Singapore.

Eligible applicants include:

• Registered Social Service Agencies (SSAs).
• Social Enterprises registered under the Singapore Centre for Social Enterprise (raiSE).
• Institutes of Higher Learning.
• Research Institutes.
• Non-Private Hospitals.
• Commercial Entities.

Commercial entities must partner with at least one user group from Singapore’s local disability community to be eligible.

Funding Amount

The programme provides:

• Minimum grant: SGD 80,000
• Funding coverage: 50%–90% of eligible project costs

Applicants are responsible for securing co-funding for costs not covered by the grant.

How Projects Are Evaluated

Applications are reviewed by an independent Evaluation Panel.

Projects are assessed based on:

• Innovation.
• Evidence-based approach.
• Expected social impact.
• Project feasibility.
• Sustainability.
• Ability to address underserved needs.
• Potential for future scaling.

Why This Grant Matters

Persons with disabilities often face barriers to independent living, community participation, and long-term support.

The ELI Grant helps organizations:

• Develop innovative disability solutions.
• Improve caregiver support.
• Promote independent living.
• Increase social inclusion.
• Strengthen community-based services.
• Build evidence for future policy and programme development.
• Scale successful innovations across Singapore.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

1. Confirm organizational eligibility.
2. Review the 2026 theme and priority funding areas.
3. Identify an unmet need within the disability community.
4. Design an innovative, evidence-based project.
5. Develop measurable project objectives and expected outcomes.
6. Prepare a detailed implementation plan and project budget.
7. Secure co-funding for expenses not covered by the grant.
8. For commercial entities, establish a partnership with at least one local disability user group.
9. Complete and submit the application before the deadline.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve the chances of funding:

• Clearly demonstrate the unmet need being addressed.
• Engage persons with disabilities and caregivers during project design.
• Present measurable outcomes and impact indicators.
• Show strong collaboration among project partners.
• Include a realistic budget and implementation timeline.
• Demonstrate long-term sustainability and scalability.
• Use evidence or research to support the proposed solution.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Proposing projects without clear innovation.
• Failing to demonstrate measurable impact.
• Submitting incomplete budgets.
• Ignoring co-funding requirements.
• Commercial entities applying without an eligible disability community partner.
• Presenting unrealistic implementation plans.
• Failing to explain how the project addresses underserved needs.
• Submitting incomplete applications.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the ELI Grant?

The ELI Grant is Singapore’s dedicated disability innovation grant that supports projects improving the lives of persons with disabilities and their caregivers through innovative and evidence-based solutions.

2. What is the 2026 grant theme?

The 2026 theme is Community Participation and Engagement, focusing on independent living, ageing in place, and stronger community support systems.

3. How much funding is available?

The grant provides:

• A minimum grant of SGD 80,000.
• Funding covering 50% to 90% of eligible project costs.

4. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include registered Social Service Agencies, raiSE-registered Social Enterprises, Institutes of Higher Learning, Research Institutes, Non-Private Hospitals, and Commercial Entities that partner with a local disability user group.

5. What types of projects are supported?

Eligible projects include initiatives that:

• Improve long-term care planning.
• Support independent living.
• Provide home-based support.
• Strengthen community participation.
• Enhance caregiver support.
• Build inclusive community networks.

6. How long can funded projects last?

Projects must have a duration of at least one year and no more than two years.

7. How are applications evaluated?

Projects are assessed by an independent Evaluation Panel based on innovation, evidence, feasibility, projected impact, sustainability, and their potential to improve outcomes for persons with disabilities and caregivers.

Conclusion

The ELI Grant 2026 offers significant support for organizations developing innovative solutions that improve the lives of persons with disabilities and their caregivers in Singapore. By funding projects that promote independent living, community participation, long-term care planning, and stronger support systems, the programme encourages sustainable, evidence-based innovation across the disability sector. Applicants should develop collaborative, impact-driven projects that align with the Community Participation and Engagement theme and demonstrate clear benefits for Singapore’s disability community.

For more information, visit SG Enable.