The Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (AMCRC) has approved its first five industry-led CORE research projects, unlocking more than $11 million in combined investment for additive manufacturing research across Australia.
Announced in Melbourne on 21 May 2026, the projects represent the first major R&D investments under AMCRC’s Commonwealth-backed program to strengthen manufacturing competitiveness, productivity, and sustainability through industry-led additive manufacturing innovation.
The projects are supported by $1.95 million in Commonwealth funding through AMCRC. This will be matched dollar-for-dollar by industry partners, alongside more than $7 million in in-kind contributions from research and commercial collaborators.
Spanning aerospace, mobility and transport, medtech, mining, and defence, the projects will bring together AMCRC industry and research partners to address manufacturing challenges in advanced materials, sustainable design, and high-performance production technologies. Individual project announcements are expected as the projects commence.
Moving AM research toward commercial deployment
AMCRC’s CORE Project funding program supports collaborative, multi-year R&D initiatives designed to move technologies from proof-of-concept through to pilot production and commercial deployment.
Simon Marriott, Managing Director of AMCRC, said the projects show growing industry confidence in additive manufacturing as a strategic capability for Australian manufacturing.
“These projects show industry is investing in additive manufacturing not just as an emerging technology, but as a critical pathway to stronger manufacturing capability, more resilient supply chains and globally competitive production,” said Marriott.
According to Marriott, the collaboration and co-investment seen in the first funding round indicates industry appetite to accelerate commercial outcomes and bring advanced manufacturing innovations to market faster.
AMCRC Chair Susan Jeanes said the partnerships are intended to build the knowhow, infrastructure, and industry connections needed to strengthen Australia’s additive manufacturing ecosystem.
“Importantly, they are helping translate world-class Australian research into real industrial capability and economic opportunity,” said Jeanes.
Building Australia’s AM ecosystem
Established with $57.5 million in Commonwealth Government funding through the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, AMCRC brings together 12 Australian universities, CSIRO, and more than 60 industry and member organisations. Its stated aim is to accelerate the adoption and commercialisation of additive manufacturing technologies across Australia.
The first CORE projects follow AMCRC’s launch as part of a wider AUD $271 million, seven-year national additive manufacturing initiative. The centre was established to bring together industry, universities, CSIRO, and small-to-medium enterprises to advance AM adoption across sectors including defence, aerospace, healthcare, automotive, and construction.
The new funding round also lands amid growing Australian interest in AM as a tool for sovereign manufacturing and supply chain resilience. Recent work involving Charles Darwin University, James Cook University, the Australian Institute of Marine Science and SPEE3D has targeted domestic production of nickel aluminium bronze, a critical naval alloy used in marine propulsion systems, using cold spray additive manufacturing.
3D Printing Industry is inviting speakers for its 2026 Additive Manufacturing Applications (AMA) series, covering Energy, Healthcare, Automotive and Mobility, Aerospace, Space and Defense, and Software. Each online event focuses on real production deployments, qualification, and supply chain integration. Practitioners interested in contributing can complete the call for speakers form here.
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Featured image shows 3D printer producing a prototype model. Photo via AMCRC.
