AMCRC STARTER Project Funding Program

Purpose and Program Overview

The AMCRC STARTER Project Funding Program is a $3.25 million Commonwealth-backed initiative delivered by the Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC). The program supports Australian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups to investigate, test and adopt additive manufacturing (AM) technologies through short-term, collaborative research and development (R&D) projects.

The program is designed to help businesses explore a clearly defined AM opportunity or challenge without committing to the scale, cost or complexity of a larger research program. Funded projects typically produce a tangible outcome, such as a prototype, a technical feasibility assessment, a redesigned component, a process pathway, or evidence to support a larger investment decision.

By connecting industry with AMCRC’s national network of university and research partners, the program aims to de-risk innovation, build technical capability within participating businesses, and create pathways toward larger-scale R&D collaboration.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount: $20,000 to $75,000 in AMCRC co-funding per project, matched dollar-for-dollar by industry.
• Application dates: No fixed opening or closing rounds. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, subject to funding availability and research partner capacity.
• Eligible industries or business types: Australian-registered SMEs and start-ups involved in, or seeking to adopt, additive manufacturing across product design, manufacturing or supply chain functions.
• Required co-contribution: A minimum industry cash contribution of $20,000 per project, matched equally by AMCRC.
• Location applicability: National. Open to eligible businesses across all Australian states and territories, delivered through AMCRC’s partner network based at Swinburne University of Technology (VIC) and other partner institutions nationally.

Priority Sectors

The AMCRC weights assessment toward projects aligned with the following priority sectors:

• Defence and aerospace
• Energy (including renewable energy)
• Resources and mining technology
• Medical technology (MedTech)
• Transport and advanced industrial manufacturing

Applications outside these sectors remain eligible where a clear AM opportunity and commercial rationale are demonstrated.

Funding Scope

• Minimum and maximum funding: $20,000 to $75,000 in matched AMCRC funding per project, producing a total project cash value of $40,000 to $150,000.
• Co-investment structure: Funding is matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis, with AMCRC contributing up to 50% of the total project cash value and the industry contributing the remainder.
• In-kind contributions: Combined research and industry in-kind contributions (such as staff time, equipment, facilities, data, software or intellectual property) are typically expected to be approximately double the total project cash expenditure.
• Research alignment: Projects must align with at least one of AMCRC’s four research programs: Sustainable Manufacturing; Application and Materials Development; Technology and Certified Process Development; and Surface Technologies and Post Processing.
• Project duration: 3 to 12 months, contracted on a fixed-cost basis.

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be an Australian-registered business, with SMEs and start-ups explicitly prioritised.
• Must undertake the project in collaboration with at least one eligible AMCRC research partner; projects cannot be delivered internally.
• Must appoint an industry Project Leader and a Research Leader from the partner institution.
• Planned project must be achievable within a 3–12 month timeframe and deliver a clear manufacturing outcome.
• Project technology must sit within Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) 3 to 8 at commencement, with an expectation of advancing at least one MRL, ideally two, during the project.
• A minimum industry cash contribution of $20,000 is required.
• Eligible research partners include Charles Darwin University, CSIRO, Curtin University, Deakin University, Flinders University, Griffith University, Monash University, RMIT, Swinburne University of Technology, Adelaide University, University of Queensland, University of Technology Sydney, and University of Western Sydney.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

Grant funding may support external research and collaboration activities, including:

• Product redesign and optimisation to leverage AM architectures
• Rapid prototyping and concept-to-functional-model development
• On-demand or low-volume manufacturing solutions to resolve production bottlenecks
• Supply chain resilience projects, including parts sourcing and inventory reduction
• Sustainable manufacturing initiatives, including circular economy studies and novel or recycled feedstock use
• Research partner costs, including access to specialist AM expertise, equipment and facilities

Funding cannot be used to cover internal business overheads, operational salaries, or other costs not directly tied to the external research collaboration.

Assessment Process

The AMCRC STARTER Project Funding Program operates on a rolling, non-competitive assessment basis rather than fixed funding rounds. Applications are developed collaboratively with the AMCRC team and assessed on an ongoing basis against:

• Alignment with AMCRC’s research programs and priority sectors
• Technical and commercial merit of the proposed project
• Clarity of the manufacturing outcome and MRL progression
• Availability of funding and suitable research partner capacity

Businesses are encouraged to engage with the AMCRC team prior to formal application to assess program fit and identify a suitable research partner.

Recent Program Updates

• The STARTER Project Funding Program launched on 1 July 2026, backed by $3.25 million in Commonwealth funding.
• AMCRC hosted an online information session on 15 July 2026 covering eligibility requirements and the application process.
• Applications are open on an ongoing basis, with no scheduled closing date at this stage.

Application Tips

• Confirm eligibility against AMCRC’s criteria, including business registration, MRL stage and minimum cash contribution, before applying.
• Prepare a clear project scope that identifies the manufacturing challenge, expected outcome and MRL progression.
• Engage early with the AMCRC team to help identify a suitable research partner and refine project scope.
• Align the proposal with AMCRC’s priority sectors and research programs where relevant.
• Prepare supporting documentation in advance, including a project budget and in-kind contribution estimates, using AMCRC’s application form and financial template.
• Clearly demonstrate the business capability, commercial rationale and expected outcomes of the project.

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting a grant specialist like Pattens Group for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Contact us today and get connected with Australia’s best grant specialist, boasting over 35 years of experience in the industry and a 100% success rate. For official guidelines, application details, templates, and further information, visit the official website of the AMCRC STARTER Project Funding Program and other associated Australian government websites.