Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, has partnered with the Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility (AMRF) Connect to deliver a new advanced manufacturing program aimed at supporting small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) to strengthen their manufacturing innovation and research capability.
According to CSIRO, the free eight-week online program, Innovate to Grow: Advanced Manufacturing, is designed to help SMEs refine manufacturing-focused innovation ideas, assess commercial potential and develop practical pathways for research and development (R&D).
The initiative draws on CSIRO’s national research capability and the NSW Government-backed manufacturing expertise of the Advanced Manufacturing Readiness Facility.
The program forms part of a broader collaboration between CSIRO, AMRF and Western Sydney University through AMRF Connect, which aims to support the development of an advanced manufacturing ecosystem around Bradfield City in Western Sydney.
CSIRO Director for Manufacturing, Dr Katja Digweed, said the program is intended to assist manufacturing SMEs facing complex technology and commercialisation decisions.
“Many SMEs have great ideas but need support to bridge the gap between concept and commercialisation,” Dr Digweed said.
“CSIRO’s Innovate to Grow gives businesses practical tools to assess technical opportunities, strengthen their R&D planning and build connections with researchers and industry partners who can help bring innovations to life.”
CSIRO stated that since June 2020, the broader Innovate to Grow program has supported more than 750 Australian SMEs to progress R&D opportunities.
The advanced manufacturing stream combines self-paced learning with expert coaching and facilitated peer discussions. Participants work with an R&D coach and researchers from CSIRO or universities to develop project plans, funding strategies and identify potential research partners.
Ben Kitcher, Executive Director of AMRF, said the program aligns with efforts to build long-term manufacturing capability.
“We’re pleased to be bringing CSIRO’s proven Innovate to Grow program to manufacturers. Programs like this give businesses the structure, confidence and practical tools to grow and scale,” Kitcher said.
“It’s part of a broader program of work through our partnership with Western Sydney University and CSIRO in AMRF Connect that is focused on strengthening skills and building the long-term growth of the manufacturing industry in Australia, and particularly in Western Sydney where there is already a deep base of capability.”
A previous participant, Damien Stein from Energy & Resources Technical Services, said the program provided practical guidance for planning and executing R&D projects.
“The step-by-step framework helped sharpen my thinking and build a solid foundation for progressing toward pilot deployment and funding,” Mr Stein said.
“The modules were practical and thought-provoking, effectively guiding participants from early-stage vision through to technology readiness planning, stakeholder engagement and commercial model design.”
CSIRO said the advanced manufacturing program is open to Australian SMEs developing or supplying solutions in areas including additive manufacturing, advanced materials and processing, composites, digital technologies, robotics and automation, mechatronic design and precision engineering, quality assurance and measurement, quantum technology, sensors and IoT, and other emerging advanced manufacturing applications.
Applications are open and close on 22 March 2026, according to CSIRO.
