Starter Funding
At a glance
Starter Program Funding
- Funding model / Dollar-matched industry funding
- Funding available / $20,000 – $75,000 per project
- Industry co-investment / Minimum $20,000 per project
- Project duration / 3–12 months
- Technology stage / Manufacturing Readiness Levels (MRL) 3–8
- Participants / Industry + AMCRC research partner
Projects are designed to help businesses investigate AM opportunities, solve technical challenges and build confidence through focused, industry-led R&D.
AMCRC’s STARTER Project Funding Program helps Australian businesses – particularly manufacturing SMEs and start-ups – explore how additive manufacturing (AM) can solve real business challenges through shorter-term R&D projects.
The program provides matched funding and access to specialist AM expertise, research capabilities and facilities through AMCRC’s national research partner network. It is designed to help businesses test ideas, solve technical challenges, explore new applications and build confidence in AM without the scale or complexity of a larger research project.
By supporting focused, industry-led projects, the STARTER program helps businesses de-risk innovation and turn research capability into practical manufacturing outcomes.
Program Overview
About the Program
AMCRC has set aside $3.25m in Commonwealth funding for shorter-term, collaborative R&D through the STARTER Project Funding Program.
The program intends to help business
- investigate where and how AM can support products, processes or supply chains
- access specialist AM expertise, facilities and research capability
- build understanding of AM technologies, applications and opportunities
- reduce the technical and commercial risk of innovation
- build / strengthen relationships with research partners
- create pathways towards larger scale R&D
Designed for businesses that want to explore a clearly defined AM opportunity or challenge, the program supports projects that are practical in scope, commercially relevant and focused on generating a tangible outcome – whether that’s a prototype, a technical feasibility assessment, a re-designed component, a process pathway or the evidence needed to support larger investment decisions.
STARTER projects are short, focused and business-led. They are delivered in collaboration with at least one of AMCRC research partners and must align with one or more of AMCRC’s research programs:
- PROGRAM 1: Sustainable manufacturing
Improving resource efficiency, sustainability and lifecycle outcomes across the AM value chain - PROGRAM 2: Application and materials development
Developing new materials and application for AM - PROGRAM 3: Technology and certified process development
Advancing AM processes, quality assurance and certification pathways - PROGRAM 4: Surface technologies and post processing
Improving finishing technologies and-process for AM parts
Project should align with priority industry sectors where AM can deliver strategic value, including defence and aerospace, energy, resources, medtech, transport and advanced industrial manufacturing.
Timeline
How to apply
AMCRC’s STARTER Project Funding Program is designed for Australian businesses that are interested in investing in shorter-term, collaborative R&D projects with a clear commercial or technical objective.
Projects require a minimum industry cash contribution of $20,000, with AMCRC providing matched funding. Projects are contracted on a fixed-cost basis and require in-kind contributions from project participants.
We encourage businesses to speak with the AMCRC team before preparing an application. Early discussions help assess program fit, identify research partners and shape a project scope aligned with the STARTER Program’s objectives.
The STARTER Project Funding Program does not operate through fixed funding rounds. Applications can be developed in response to business needs and emerging opportunities, subject to funding availability and suitable research partner capacity.
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Resources
Resources to support your application
AMCRC provides a suit of resources to help applicants navigate the STARTER Project Funding process with confidence – from early project scoping through to proposal development and submission.
Applicants are encouraged to review the available program documentation and templates before applying. These materials are designed to support strong, industry-led project applications with clear objectives, appropriate research alignment and a practical pathway to impact.
If you are considering a STARTER project, the AMCRC team is available to discuss you idea and help determine the most suitable pathway.
FAQ
Questions & answers
AMCRC matches industry cash contributions on a dollar-for-dollar basis. This means AMCRC co-funds up to 50% of the total cash value of the project, with industry providing the remaining contribution.
AMCRC STARTER Project funding supports external research activities delivered by an Australian research organisation only. It cannot be used to cover internal company costs.
The program supports businesses that are interested in short-term, collaborative R&D projects with a minimum industry cash co-investment of $20,000 per project.
They are eligible for matched funding if the planned project:
- Delivers clear manufacturing outcomes and will be completed within a 3-12months timeframe
- Is undertaken with one or more AMCRC research partners
- Investigates or applies AM for product redesign, rapid prototyping, on-demand manufacturing and supply chain optimisation
- Supports business transformation, productivity and technology adoption
- Strengthens local supply chains through collaboration with other manufacturers, suppliers and customers
AMCRC collaborates with the following Australian universities and research organisations:
- Charles Darwin University
- CSIRO
- Curtin University
- Deakin University
- Flinders University
- Griffith University
- Monash University
- Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT)
- Swinburne University of Technology (SUT)
- Adelaide University
- University of Queensland (UQ)
- University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
- University of Western Sydney
AMCRC supports STARTER projects that support R&D activities within MRL 3-8. Eligible projects should commence at MRL 3 and aim to advance the technology or process by at least one MRL, ideally two, over the course of the project.
Projects may include elements of earlier or later MRLs, provided they meet the overall eligibility and assessment criteria.
In-kind contributions are non-cash contributions provided by project partners. These may include: staff, equipment or facilities, data or software, office space or Intellectual Property (IP).
In-kind contributions from research and industry partners makes up a large portion of our total funding. To ensure balanced project investment, in-kind contributions are typically expected to be approximately double the total project cash expenditure.
These contributions are estimated during the project development and confirmed before the project begins.
Each project is governed by a project agreement that defines Intellectual Property (IP) ownership and commercialisation.
In general
Project IP is owned by the Industry Lead Partner(s) unless otherwise agreed AMCRC takes no equity share in project IP. Background IP remains the property of the contributing organisation, including any improvements made to that IP.
Get Involved
Ready to apply or have questions?
Submit a project proposal or get in touch to discuss your idea with our team.