ACT Prototyping Voucher Pilot

Purpose and Program Overview

The ACT Prototyping Voucher Pilot is an ACT Government initiative designed to help Canberra-based entrepreneurs, innovators and businesses turn established product designs into physical prototypes. The programme addresses a gap between product concept and fabrication by providing access to specialised equipment, facilities and technical expertise that applicants may otherwise be unable to access or afford.

The pilot has a total funding pool of $160,000, with individual vouchers valued at up to $10,000. The vouchers are not provided as cash grants; instead, they provide access to fabrication facilities, equipment time and technical expertise through participating institutions including ANU, CIT, the University of Canberra and UNSW Canberra.

The programme supports the development and refinement of physical products at an early stage, helping applicants test designs, improve functionality and prepare prototypes for subsequent commercialisation, investment or manufacturing. It is industry agnostic and is focused specifically on physical prototyping rather than software or digital products.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount: Up to $10,000 per successful applicant in voucher value.
• Total funding pool: $160,000.
• Application status: Open.
• Closing date: Applications remain open until available funding has been allocated.
• Assessment frequency: Applications are assessed monthly.
• Eligible applicants: Canberra-based entrepreneurs, innovators, startups, SMEs and businesses with an innovative physical product requiring further prototyping.
• Location: Australian Capital Territory, with the programme focused on Canberra-based applicants.
• Co-contribution: No cash co-contribution is specified. Applicants must cover their own material costs, such as filament and metal.
• ABN: Applicants must have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
• Project stage: The preferred Technology Readiness Level (TRL) is 1–4.
• Funding format: The voucher provides access to facilities, equipment and expertise rather than a cash payment.

Priority Sectors

The ACT Prototyping Voucher Pilot is industry agnostic, rather than being restricted to specific priority industries. The programme is intended for innovators developing physical products with potential for commercialisation and broader real-world impact.

Eligible projects may use capabilities across areas including textiles, metalworking, woodworking, 3D printing, CNC machining, composite materials, electronics and product testing, subject to the capabilities of participating institutions.

Funding Scope

The programme provides one voucher stream of up to $10,000 per successful applicant.

The voucher can support:

• Access to specialised fabrication facilities.
• Use of machinery and equipment, including 3D printers, CNC machines and laser cutters.
• Technical guidance from engineers and other specialists.
• Manufacturing and fabrication support.
• Functional and stress testing capabilities.
• Design refinement, with up to 20% of the voucher able to support design refinement.
• The majority of the voucher, approximately 80%, directed towards expert and equipment access.

The programme is intended for prototype development and iteration rather than commercial-scale manufacturing. Successful applicants generally have approximately six months to use their $10,000 voucher, according to programme information published by CBRIN.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must generally:

• Be based in Canberra.
• Have an ABN, which is required for the funding agreement.
• Have an innovative physical product requiring further prototyping.
• Generally have the project positioned at TRL 1–4.
• Have an established design or sufficiently clear design concept that can be assessed for fabrication.
• Require access to specialised prototyping equipment or expertise that is otherwise unavailable or unaffordable.
• Agree to comply with the programme’s Prototyping Voucher Pilot Guidelines.

The programme is not intended for applicants who are still developing only a general idea or who require substantial design development before a physical prototype can be fabricated. It also does not support software or digital-only products.

No minimum or maximum turnover requirement, GST requirement or specific insurance requirement is identified in the publicly available programme summary reviewed for this page.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

Eligible voucher use can include:

• Fabrication of physical prototypes.
• Access to 3D printing equipment.
• CNC machining and milling.
• Laser cutting.
• Metalworking and woodworking.
• Access to electronics and specialised laboratory facilities.
• Composite material prototyping.
• Product testing and stress testing.
• Technical consultation and engineering expertise.
• Material selection and manufacturing advice.
• Troubleshooting during fabrication.
• Limited design refinement.

Applicants are responsible for their own prototype material costs, including items such as filament and metal. The programme does not fund manufacturing at scale or software and digital products.

Assessment Process

The ACT Prototyping Voucher Pilot is competitive, with applications assessed by a Steering Committee comprising representatives from the participating partner institutions. Applications are reviewed monthly.

The application process generally involves:

1. Meet with a CBRIN Project Coordinator to discuss the proposed project and eligibility.
2. Submit the application through the programme’s online application process.
3. Steering Committee assessment of eligibility and project readiness.
4. Short pitch and Q&A for applicants invited to proceed.
5. Institution allocation based on the applicant’s prototyping requirements.
6. Voucher agreement and onboarding with the relevant institution.
7. Commencement of prototyping activities using the approved facilities and expertise.

Applicants should demonstrate that the product is sufficiently developed to move into physical prototyping, that specialised facilities are required, and that the prototype has a credible pathway towards commercialisation.

Recent Program Updates

The Prototyping Voucher Pilot was launched in December 2025 through a partnership involving the Canberra Innovation Network, ANU, University of Canberra, UNSW Canberra and CIT, with funding from an ACT Government Priority Investment Fund grant.

The programme was initially described as a $160,000 pilot, with $10,000 vouchers intended to support approximately 16 Canberra innovators. At the time of CBRIN’s December 2025 programme article, five vouchers had been awarded and the pilot was expected to run until mid-2026 or until the vouchers were allocated.

However, the current CBRIN and business.gov.au programme pages indicate that applications are currently open and remain open until all funding is allocated, with new applications assessed each month. Applicants should therefore rely on the current programme information rather than the earlier anticipated mid-2026 end date.

Application Tips

• Confirm that the business or applicant is Canberra-based and holds an ABN before preparing the application.
• Ensure the project is sufficiently developed for physical prototyping, rather than being only an early-stage concept.
• Clearly explain what the prototype needs to demonstrate or test.
• Identify the specific equipment, facilities or technical expertise required.
• Consider which participating institution is best suited to the project’s fabrication requirements.
• Prepare a concise explanation of the product, its innovation and its intended commercial pathway.
• Demonstrate why the required facilities or expertise cannot reasonably be accessed through existing resources.
• Separate voucher-supported costs from material costs, which applicants must generally fund themselves.
• Prepare for the 2–3 minute pitch and Q&A if the application progresses to that stage.
• Discuss project readiness with a CBRIN Project Coordinator before applying if eligibility or prototyping requirements are unclear.

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting a grant specialist like Pattens Group for a personalised eligibility assessment and assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Applicants should also review the current programme guidelines and application requirements directly with the Canberra Innovation Network (CBRIN) before submitting an application.

For official eligibility information, application instructions and programme updates, applicants can refer to CBRIN’s Prototyping Vouchers programme page and business.gov.au’s Prototyping Vouchers ACT page.