Singapore hubs

Nadia Vellu

Writer

SingaporeEnglish (English)$ SGD

Nadia is a freelance writer and creative professional navigating the gig economy in Singapore. This hub captures the essential support systems, grants, and administrative necessities she relies on to sustain her career and daily life.

Funding my creative projects

Grants and subsidies that help me sustain my writing career and professional development.

NAC Arts Creation Grant

national · National Arts Council

Who qualifies
Singapore citizens or PRs with a track record of creative work.
What you get
Funding support for the creation of new literary or artistic works.
What it actually costs you
Requires a detailed project proposal, budget breakdown, and portfolio.
Common gotcha
The application window is periodic; you must track the specific grant call dates.

SkillsFuture Credit

national · SkillsFuture Singapore

Who qualifies
Singapore citizens aged 25 and above.
What you get
$500 initial credit plus periodic top-ups for approved courses.
What it actually costs you
Zero; just your Singpass login and course selection.
Common gotcha
Credits expire if not used within specific windows; check your portal regularly.

National Library Board Writer-in-Residency

national · National Library Board

Who qualifies
Published writers with a project relevant to Singapore's literary scene.
What you get
Stipend and access to library archives and workspace.
What it actually costs you
Competitive selection process based on project proposal.
Common gotcha
Requires commitment to public engagement sessions during the residency.

NAC Capability Development Grant

national · National Arts Council

Who qualifies
Arts practitioners seeking to upgrade specific professional skills.
What you get
Co-funding for training, workshops, or mentorship programs.
What it actually costs you
Requires proof of acceptance into a reputable training program.
Common gotcha
Must apply before the training commences.

Creative Industry Tax Relief

national · Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore

Who qualifies
Self-employed writers declaring income.
What you get
Deductions for business expenses incurred in the production of work.
What it actually costs you
Must maintain meticulous records of all receipts and invoices.
Common gotcha
Personal expenses are strictly non-deductible.

NLB Literary Arts Grant

national · National Library Board

Who qualifies
Writers organizing literary events or community workshops.
What you get
Financial support for community-based literary programming.
What it actually costs you
Requires post-event reporting and attendance metrics.
Common gotcha
Projects must align with NLB's reading promotion goals.

Staying healthy as a freelancer

Managing healthcare costs without a corporate insurance plan.

MediSave

national · CPF Board

Who qualifies
All Singapore citizens and PRs.
What you get
Mandatory savings account for hospitalization and outpatient treatments.
What it actually costs you
Self-employed persons must contribute based on net trade income.
Common gotcha
Contribution rates change annually based on income brackets.

MediShield Life

national · CPF Board

Who qualifies
All Singapore citizens and PRs.
What you get
Basic health insurance for large hospital bills.
What it actually costs you
Premiums are automatically deducted from your MediSave account.
Common gotcha
It is a basic plan; consider Integrated Shield Plans for private hospital coverage.

Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS)

national · Ministry of Health

Who qualifies
Singapore citizens based on household income or annual value of home.
What you get
Subsidies for medical and dental care at participating clinics.
What it actually costs you
Application via Singpass; no fee.
Common gotcha
You must check if your preferred clinic is a CHAS-accredited provider.

Health Promotion Board Rewards

national · Health Promotion Board

Who qualifies
Anyone using the Healthy 365 app.
What you get
Vouchers for meeting physical activity targets.
What it actually costs you
Time spent tracking steps and activities.
Common gotcha
Points expire; redeem them for vouchers before the cutoff.

MediFund

national · Ministry of Health

Who qualifies
Singaporeans facing financial difficulty with hospital bills.
What you get
Safety net for medical expenses after other subsidies.
What it actually costs you
Requires a financial assessment by hospital social workers.
Common gotcha
It is a last-resort fund, not a primary insurance.

National Vaccination Program

national · Ministry of Health

Who qualifies
All residents.
What you get
Subsidized or free vaccinations for recommended diseases.
What it actually costs you
Appointment booking via the portal.
Common gotcha
Check the list of recommended vaccines as it updates periodically.

Managing my digital life

Essential portals to handle taxes, identity, and government communication.

Singpass

national · GovTech

Who qualifies
Citizens, PRs, and long-term pass holders.
What you get
Universal digital identity for all government services.
What it actually costs you
Setup requires identity verification.
Common gotcha
Keep your password and 2FA device secure; never share your login.

MyInfo

national · GovTech

Who qualifies
All Singpass users.
What you get
Auto-filling of personal data for government and private sector forms.
What it actually costs you
Zero; integrated into Singpass.
Common gotcha
Ensure your contact details are updated to receive notifications.

myTax Portal

national · IRAS

Who qualifies
All tax-paying residents.
What you get
Platform to file income tax and view tax assessments.
What it actually costs you
Must file annually by April 18.
Common gotcha
Late filing incurs penalties; set a calendar reminder.

CPF EZPay

national · CPF Board

Who qualifies
Self-employed persons making voluntary contributions.
What you get
Portal to manage and track CPF contributions.
What it actually costs you
Requires bank account linking.
Common gotcha
Voluntary contributions are non-refundable.

LifeSG App

national · GovTech

Who qualifies
All residents.
What you get
Centralized app for government services and benefits.
What it actually costs you
Download and login via Singpass.
Common gotcha
Not all services are available yet; check the portal for updates.

OneService

national · Municipal Services Office

Who qualifies
All residents.
What you get
Platform to report municipal issues like pests or broken lights.
What it actually costs you
Requires photos and location tagging.
Common gotcha
Be specific with the location to ensure quick resolution.

Saving on daily expenses

Vouchers and rebates that help manage the cost of living.

GST Voucher Scheme

national · Ministry of Finance

Who qualifies
Lower-to-middle income Singaporeans.
What you get
Cash payouts and U-Save rebates for utilities.
What it actually costs you
Automatic disbursement based on IRAS records.
Common gotcha
Ensure your bank account is linked to your NRIC for direct deposit.

CDC Vouchers

national · People's Association

Who qualifies
All Singaporean households.
What you get
Digital vouchers for heartland merchants and supermarkets.
What it actually costs you
Claim via the redemption portal.
Common gotcha
Vouchers have an expiry date; use them before they lapse.

U-Save Rebates

national · SP Group

Who qualifies
HDB households.
What you get
Direct offset of utility bills.
What it actually costs you
Automatic on your monthly SP bill.
Common gotcha
Only applies to HDB flats, not private property.

Public Transport Concession

national · Land Transport Authority

Who qualifies
Eligible seniors, students, and low-wage workers.
What you get
Discounted fares for bus and train travel.
What it actually costs you
Requires a concession card application.
Common gotcha
Card must be renewed periodically.

Climate Friendly Households Program

national · National Environment Agency

Who qualifies
HDB households.
What you get
Vouchers to purchase energy-efficient appliances.
What it actually costs you
Must purchase from participating retailers.
Common gotcha
Vouchers are limited to specific appliance types.

NLB Membership

national · National Library Board

Who qualifies
All residents.
What you get
Free access to books, digital archives, and co-working spaces.
What it actually costs you
Free for citizens/PRs.
Common gotcha
Late fees apply for overdue books.

State-level schemes

1states & territories — open one to see what it offers.

Singapore新加坡

Singapore offers writers unique access to national arts grants, professional development funds, and a highly structured ecosystem for intellectual property and creative residency.

Funding my next manuscript

NAC Creation Grant

state · National Arts Council

Who qualifies
Singapore citizens or permanent residents with a track record of published work.
What you get
Funding support of up to $50,000 for the creation of new literary works.
What it actually costs you
Detailed project proposal, budget breakdown, and sample of past work; 3-month review cycle.
Common gotcha
The grant is highly competitive and requires a clear commercial or artistic dissemination plan.

NLB Writer-in-Residence Programme

state · National Library Board

Who qualifies
Established writers looking to conduct research using the National Library's archives.
What you get
Stipend, dedicated workspace, and access to rare collection materials.
What it actually costs you
Application via open call; requires a research proposal linked to Singaporean history or culture.
Common gotcha
Residency slots are limited and often tied to specific thematic research areas.

Literary Arts Grant

state · National Arts Council

Who qualifies
Writers or collectives organizing literary events or publications.
What you get
Co-funding for project costs including venue, printing, and marketing.
What it actually costs you
Must be a registered entity or have a partner organization; post-event reporting is mandatory.
Common gotcha
Cannot be used for self-publishing personal memoirs without a clear public engagement component.

Cultural Medallion

state · National Arts Council

Who qualifies
Distinguished writers who have made significant contributions to the Singaporean literary scene.
What you get
Prestigious national recognition and a grant for further professional development.
What it actually costs you
Nomination-based; requires a lifetime of work.
Common gotcha
It is a recognition of legacy rather than a project-based grant.

Finding a space to think

Arts Housing Scheme

state · National Arts Council

Who qualifies
Arts practitioners or groups looking for subsidized studio or office space.
What you get
Rental rates significantly below market value in designated arts spaces.
What it actually costs you
Strict usage requirements and periodic audits of artistic output.
Common gotcha
Waitlists are long and spaces are allocated based on the 'public value' of the work.

NLB Partner Membership

state · National Library Board

Who qualifies
All residents; writers benefit from advanced research privileges.
What you get
Access to extensive digital archives, e-resources, and quiet study zones.
What it actually costs you
Free for citizens; standard library card registration.
Common gotcha
Access to specific 'Lee Kong Chian Reference Library' collections requires a separate registration.

CLASS Licensing

state · Copyright Licensing and Administration Society of Singapore

Who qualifies
Writers whose works are used in educational or corporate settings.
What you get
Royalties collected from institutions that photocopy or digitize your work.
What it actually costs you
Must register your published works with the society.
Common gotcha
You must actively declare your works to receive distributions.