The Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC) has launched its STARTER Project Funding Program to help Australian manufacturers and start-ups improve productivity, strengthen supply chains and accelerate innovation.
Selected companies could access a $3.25 million funding program to create commercial value.
The program supports shorter, industry-led research projects ranging from three months to one year. It aims to encourage businesses explore opportunities such as on product redesign, rapid prototyping, on-demand manufacturing, supply chain optimization and sustainability improvements.
According to AMCRC Managing Director Simon Marriott, “Many SMEs and start-ups recognize 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. 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.
Applications are now open.
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