Funding program for smaller businesses to access additive manufacturing

The Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC) has announced the launch of its $3.25 million STARTER Project Funding Program, providing Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups 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 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 startups 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,” he 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% of Australia’s manufacturing businesses but often face barriers to participating in larger collaborative research programs due to limited resource and investment capacity.

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.

Applications are now open, and AMCRC will host an online information session on Wednesday, 15 July 2026 at 1 pm (AEST), providing an overview of the STARTER Project Funding Program, eligibility requirements and the application process. Interested businesses can register via the AMCRC website or by clicking here.

Image credit: iStock.com/Jakub Zerdzicki