Australia Offers Co-Funding for SMEs to Explore Additive Manufacturing

The Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC) in Australia has introduced its STARTER Project Funding Program, a new initiative designed to encourage the adoption of additive manufacturing among Australian SMEs and startups. Announced in Melbourne, the AU$3.25 million program offers dollar-for-dollar matched funding, allowing businesses to access the AMCRC's national research network to explore how additive manufacturing can solve operational issues and create commercial value.

Projects funded through this program will run for three months to one year and focus on areas like product redesign, rapid prototyping, on-demand production, supply chain optimization, and sustainability improvements. Companies can apply for co-funding ranging from AU$20,000 to AU$75,000, which must be matched by the applicant, leading to total project budgets of AU$40,000 to AU$150,000. The emphasis is on achieving measurable commercial and operational outcomes.

AMCRC Managing Director Simon Marriott highlighted that the program addresses a key challenge for SMEs, which constitute a significant portion of Australia's manufacturing sector but often lack the resources for larger collaborative research. "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 stated. The STARTER program aims to provide a practical pathway for these businesses to collaborate with researchers and evaluate the benefits of additive manufacturing for efficiency, flexibility, and competitiveness.

The initiative draws parallels with similar programs in Europe and the United States that have successfully de-risked additive manufacturing adoption for smaller companies. By offering small grants and structured, short-term projects with defined deliverables, the STARTER program seeks to lower the barrier to entry for Australian SMEs, enabling them to explore additive manufacturing as a strategic capability rather than just a method for producing parts. Interested businesses can find more information and apply immediately, with an online information session scheduled for July 15, 2026.