$3.25 million funding program to help SMEs and start-ups unlock additive manufacturing

Australian manufacturers and start-ups looking to improve productivity, strengthen supply chains and accelerate innovation can now access a new $3.25 million funding program designed to fast-track the adoption of additive manufacturing.

The Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC) has launched its STARTER Project Funding Program, providing Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups with dollar-for-dollar matched funding and access to leading researchers to investigate how additive manufacturing can address business challenges and create commercial value.

The program supports shorter, industry-led research projects ranging from three months to one year and is designed to help businesses explore opportunities such as on product redesign, rapid prototyping, on-demand manufacturing, supply chain optimisation and sustainability improvements.

AMCRC Managing Director Simon Marriott said the program would help businesses investigate practical applications of additive manufacturing without the scale, cost or complexity often associated with large 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,” Mr 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 of between $20,000 and $75,000, matched dollar-for-dollar by the business. This supports projects with a total value of $40,000 to $150,000. Successful applicants will work with AMCRC’s national research network to deliver practical projects focused on measurable commercial and operational outcomes.

The initiative responds to growing demand from SMEs, which make up around 95 per cent of Australia’s manufacturing businesses but often face barriers to participating in larger collaborative research programs due to limited resource and investment capacity.

Mr Marriott said additive manufacturing is increasingly being recognised as a strategic business capability rather than simply another production technology.

“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 are now open.

AMCRC will host an online information session on Wednesday, 15 July 2026 @ 1pm (AEST), providing an overview of the STARTER Project Funding Program, eligibility requirements and the application process. Interested businesses can register here.