Skip to main content
A Singapore Government Agency Website How to identify
Official website links end with .gov.sg
Government agencies communicate via .gov.sg websites (e.g. go.gov.sg/open). Trusted websites
Secure websites use HTTPS
Look for a lock () or https:// as an added precaution. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Scheduled Maintenance Notice

MyAIMS and EPES will be unavailable on 5 April 2026 due to scheduled maintenance. All SSI ILTMS portals will also be unavailable from 10 April 2026, 00:00 to 20 April 2026, 08:59 due to a system upgrade. For urgent matters, please contact us.

National Council of Social Service

Professional Development Sponsorship

Get support for recognised qualifications in social work and psychology, as well as support for graduate studies.

Apply now
Last updated 31 March 2026
Focused man in glasses working on a laptop. NCSS about professional development sponsorship.

Overview

The Professional Development Sponsorship provides funding for in-service staff at social service agencies to achieve their first recognised qualifications in social work and psychology, empowering them to become registered professionals.

It also offers training support for additional graduate and postgraduate studies in social services, ensuring continuous learning and growth.

Eligibility & criteria

  • Employment: You must be a permanent staff member (Singaporeans/PRs only) of an NCSS member Social Service Agencies and/or MSF-funded social service agencies.

  • Funding: You should not be receiving other government funding for Graduate Diploma/Degree studies, except for the Ministry of Education subsidy, unless it's specifically allowed.

  • Exemptions: You should not be eligible for other schemes like the Career Conversion Programme for social workers.

  • Program acceptance: You must have been accepted into an approved Bachelor/Graduate Diploma/Masters programme.

  • Please keep in mind:

    • We cannot fund courses that have already started.

    • Incomplete applications will not be processed.

    • Approvals are granted on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on budget availability.

Funding quantum

Funding quantum for respective programmes

Programme

Funding quantum

Graduate Diploma / Degree in Social Work

Up to 100% of course fees, with no cap on the amount

Masters in Psychology

Other Social Service-Related Graduate and Post- Graduate studies

Up to 50% of course fees, capped at $37,500

Bond requirement

The bond period will be pegged to the study duration. Upon grant approval, the supporting agency must sign an NCSS funding agreement, and the awardee must fulfil their bond duration with the supporting agency after completing the course.

Bond duration for respective programmes

Programme

Course duration

Graduate Diploma Programme

Est. 1.5 years (18 months)

Degree Programme

Est. 4 years (48 months)

Masters Programme

Est. 2 years (24 months)

Any deviation to the course duration outside this list will adjust the bond period accordingly to align with the course duration.

Liquidated Damages

In case of non-compliance with the grant's obligations, there will be Liquidated Damages (LD) incurred. LD will be the total disbursed amount, along with 10% compounded interest per annum on the disbursements made each year, compounded at the end of the year. Payment should be made to NCSS in one lump sum within three months.

How to apply

The agency can submit the application via the OurSG Grants (OSG) portal.

Submission timeline: Please refer to the submission timeline for Professional Development Sponsorship [PDF, 45 KB].

Contact

For more information, please email NCSS_Grants@ncss.gov.sg.