Australian manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups can now apply for a new $3.25 million funding program aimed at helping businesses adopt additive manufacturing to improve productivity, strengthen supply chains and accelerate innovation, according to the Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC).
The AMCRC has launched its STARTER Project Funding Program, offering eligible businesses dollar-for-dollar matched funding alongside access to researchers to investigate how additive manufacturing can address operational challenges and create commercial value.
The program will support industry-led research projects lasting between three months and one year. According to the AMCRC, projects may focus on areas including product redesign, rapid prototyping, on-demand manufacturing, supply chain optimisation and sustainability improvements.
AMCRC Managing Director Simon Marriott said the initiative was designed to help businesses explore additive manufacturing without the scale or complexity of larger research projects.
“Many SMEs and start-ups recognise the potential of additive manufacturing, but they don’t always know where to begin or have the capability to assess where it can create value for their business,” Marriott said.
“The STARTER Project Funding Program gives businesses a practical pathway to work alongside researchers, test ideas and evaluate how additive manufacturing can improve efficiency, flexibility and competitiveness.”
Eligible businesses can apply for AMCRC co-funding ranging from $20,000 to $75,000, with applicants required to match the funding dollar for dollar. This supports projects with a total value of between $40,000 and $150,000.
Successful applicants will work with AMCRC’s national research network on projects intended to deliver measurable commercial and operational outcomes.
According to the AMCRC, the program responds to demand from SMEs, which account for around 95 per cent of Australia’s manufacturing businesses but can face resource and investment constraints that limit participation in larger collaborative research initiatives.
Marriott said additive manufacturing was increasingly being viewed as a strategic capability for manufacturers.
“Businesses are using additive manufacturing to reduce lead times, overcome production bottlenecks, improve supply chain resilience and bring new products to market faster,” he said.
“This program is about helping Australian companies explore those opportunities in a practical, commercially focused way.”
Applications for the STARTER Project Funding Program are now open. The AMCRC will also hold an online information session on 15 July to outline the program, eligibility requirements and application process.
