Queensland Manufacturers Offered Up To $250,000 Each In Government-Backed AI Projects

Queensland manufacturers are being invited to apply for fully delivered artificial intelligence projects worth up to $250,000 each, funded largely by the state government.

The Queensland Manufacturing AI Uplift Trial Program will see Brisbane-based AI and robotics specialist, ARM Hub, work directly with selected businesses to identify, build and deploy AI use cases within their operations.

The Queensland Government will cover 80 per cent of each project’s total value, with up to $250,000 available per project. Multiple projects are expected to receive funding under the program.

How the program works

Rather than providing grants for manufacturers to source their own AI capabilities, the program takes a hands-on approach. ARM Hub engineers embed directly with each business to identify a suitable AI use case and then build and deliver the solution.

ARM Hub CEO, Professor Cori Stewart, outlined the philosophy behind the initiative.

“The best AI projects begin with the people doing the work and a problem worth solving. The AI Adopt Uplift program will bring their expertise together combined with business data, AI infrastructure and responsible AI to improve how things are made,” Professor Stewart explained.

“The goal is to help Queensland manufacturers become more productive, meet their compliance obligations and compete more effectively.”

ARM Hub serves as the National AI Centre’s AI adoption delivery mechanism for Australian manufacturing. The program is delivered and administered by ARM Hub on behalf of the Queensland Government, through the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development.

Eligibility and regional focus

The program is open to Queensland manufacturers with between five and 500 full-time equivalent staff. At least half of those employees must be based in Queensland, and the business must have been operating in the state for a minimum of two years.

At least one of the funded projects will be allocated to a business in regional Queensland, defined as anywhere outside Greater Brisbane.

Queensland Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and for Regional and Rural Development, Dale Last, commented: “We’re backing manufacturers that are ready to adopt AI to improve productivity, boost competitiveness and grow their businesses.”

Application process

Expressions of interest will remain open for four weeks, closing at the end of October. Businesses are asked to outline their operation and where they believe AI could assist via the program’s information page.

ARM Hub will then work with shortlisted companies to build a roadmap scoping what an AI project would deliver, at no cost to the business.

A joint panel comprising ARM Hub and Queensland Government representatives will assess the roadmaps and select the final recipients, with successful applicants expected to be announced in early 2027.

Full program guidelines and eligibility criteria are available on the ARM Hub website.

Last Updated on October 3, 2026 by Nick Ross