About The Programme

The Technology for Enterprise Capability Upgrading (T-Up) Scheme seeks to strengthen the artificial intelligence (AI) capability of local companies through the secondment of AI Engineers from AI Singapore (AISG).

Programme Period

  • 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2026

secondment Period

  • 1 year

Expected Outcomes

  • Result in a new product or process innovation and/or
  • Result in new hire

Support level

  • SMEs (including start-ups) – up to 70% support of allowable costs
  • LLEs – up to 30% support of allowable costs

The assignment of AI Engineers to local enterprises will help the companies to

  • Access AI experts from AISG
  • Forge collaborations with AISG for effective technology transfer
  • Move up the technology innovation value chain
  • Build in-house AI capabilities relevant to their businesses and
  • Identify critical AI technologies for sustainable growth

Applicant must

  • Be a business entity that is registered/incorporated in Singapore
  • Be locally owned
  • Be financially able to see the project through to completion

Evaluation Criteria

  1. The project shall last for 1 year
  2. The project can be done locally or overseas
  3. The AI Engineers should not be in any way related to the Applicants
  4. Qualifying Projects should:
    • Increase in product or service range that can contribute to increased revenue (product or service must have some market potential)
    • Additional R&D or technology innovation investments in AI, ie. Investment of resources by the company to perform R&D or VC-type investments in innovative companies, or potential for such, upon completion of the project
  5. Up to 2 AI Engineers may be supported per project per Applicant
  6. The role of the AI Engineers is to help the Applicants build up R&D or technology innovation in AI through:
    • Identification and scoping of new R&D or technology innovation in AI, leading to the implementation of new products, processes, or services
    • Identification of new R&D or technology innovation in AI, leading to additional investment in R&D and
    • Transfer of technology and skills to employees working with the AI Engineers, leading to an increase or potential increase in value-added per worker

Components include

  1. Professional fees of the expert seconded
  2. Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for expert seconded
  3. Airfare for expert seconded

How to apply?

Application Process:

  1. Applicant (i.e., the organisation) to submit application with project proposal and budget
  2. AISG present the project for internal approval
  3. AISG to nominate engineers for secondment
  4. Applicant to interview the nominees
  5. AISG to offer T-Up to Applicant
  6. AISG to make arrangement for secondment
Download T-Up application form

Application Process

  1. Applicant (i.e., the organisation) to submit the T-Up Application Form which includes project proposal, budget and other relevant details. (Template below)
  2. AISG present the project for internal approval
  3. Applicant to shortlist the nominees
  4. AISG to offer T-Up to Applicant
  5. AISG to make arrangement for secondment
Download t-up application form