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AMCRC STARTER Project Funding Program

AMCRC STARTER Project Funding Program

  • AMCRC provides matched funding from $20,000 to $75,000 per project.
  • The program provides dollar-for-dollar matched funding, with AMCRC co-funding up to 50 percent of the total cash value of the project.
  • Projects require a minimum industry cash contribution of $20,000.
  • The combined value of research and industry in-kind contributions must be no less than 1.5 times the value of the total project cash contribution.
  • Projects are expected to run for 3 to 12 months.
  • Applications are accepted and assessed on an ongoing basis

The AMCRC STARTER Project Funding Program supports short-term, industry-led additive manufacturing research and development projects in Australia. The program is designed to help Australian businesses, particularly manufacturing SMEs and start-ups, investigate additive manufacturing opportunities, solve technical challenges and build confidence through practical, collaborative projects.

Funding supports projects delivered with one or more AMCRC research partners, including universities or CSIRO, and aims to help businesses test ideas, reduce technical and commercial risk, develop prototypes, assess feasibility, improve processes and create evidence for future investment decisions. Projects must align with AMCRC research programs covering sustainable manufacturing, application and materials development, technology and certified process development, or surface technologies and post-processing. Priority sectors include defence and aerospace, energy, resources, medtech, transport and advanced industrial manufacturing.

Key Requirements

  • Support early-stage adoption and application of additive manufacturing in Australia through short-term, industry-led projects that deliver practical outcomes.
  • Build foundational additive manufacturing capability within industry by helping businesses access expertise, facilities and research capability through AMCRC research partners
  • Support feasibility, proof-of-concept and technology development activities that address targeted business or industry challenges.
  • Accelerate knowledge transfer between research and industry through collaboration with one or more AMCRC partner universities or CSIRO.
  • Align projects with at least one AMCRC research program: sustainable manufacturing, application and materials development, technology and certified process development, or surface technologies and post-processing.
  • Support projects that commence at Manufacturing Readiness Level 3 to 8 and mature readiness over the course of the project.
  • Deliver marketable outcomes that strengthen Australian additive manufacturing capability and support broader Australian manufacturing transformation.

What is eligible for funding?

  • Sustainable manufacturing activities, including process optimisation, sustainable sourcing, circular economy, end-of-life strategies, sustainable business models, supply chains, environmental and societal impact studies, human factors, Industry 5.0, digital technologies and automation.
  • Application and materials development, including specialised industrial applications, design optimisation, novel materials, performance optimisation, upcycling and local feedstock production.
  • Technology and process development, including smart additive manufacturing technologies, validation, certification, sovereign manufacturing capabilities and new energy sources.
  • Surface technologies and post-processing, including functional surface modifications, repair methods, automation of finishing processes and post-processing

What companies are eligible for funding?

  • Companies that have signed a Partnership Agreement with AMCRC by 1 July 2025 will be prioritised for funding.
  • Subject to funding availability, new companies may apply if they are Australian-registered businesses or manufacturers.
  • The program has a particular focus on supporting the Australian additive manufacturing supply chain.
  • Projects must be undertaken with one or more eligible research partner organisations, including listed AMCRC university partners or CSIRO.
  • Each project must appoint a Research Leader from the research partner and a Project Leader from the industry partner.

Is this grant competitive or entitlement based?

Competitive. Your application will be assessed among other applications by a judging panel.

How can I increase my chances of winning this grant?

By engaging an accredited government grants consultant, such as Avant Group.

Competitive grants often require significant business case development and project analysis to support the application, this may include detailed presentations supporting the project’s merit, projected sales, cost-benefit analysis and more.

As part of your engagement with Avant Group, your account manager will assess the required documents and will provide the following as needed to support your grant submission.

Grant application writeup including a detailed presentation illustrating how the grant funding will contribute to your project, how the funding will contribute to the project’s budget, a project milestone plan, delivery timeline, impact on employment if applicable and a breakdown of the management and leadership team for the project

  • Industry analysis presentation
  • Competitor Analysis Presentation
  • Marketing and Sales Analysis Presentation
  • 3-5 year Cashflow Forecast
  • 3-5 year Balance Sheet Forecast
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis of Grant Funding
  • End-to-end grant application including information collating, analysis and application writing
  • CAPEX (Capital Expenditure) cost-benefit analysis
  • Stakeholder relations and Risk Mitigation Plans
  • Any other relevant forecasting that will support your application

How can I get help with my application? Or know if I’m likely to win funding?

Avant Group offers a no-obligation assessment of your eligibility for funding and will assess your likelihood of a successful grant application.