SMC Launched AUD $20,000 AI Consulting Grant
The firm is offering professional services to one organization in Australia or New Zealand to mark its 20th anniversary.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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SMC has launched an AI consulting grant program providing AUD $20,000 in professional services to a single applicant. The initiative is open to organizations in Australia and New Zealand with annual revenues exceeding AUD $10 million.
Why it matters
The program provides a mechanism for established firms to integrate AI capabilities into their existing technical workflows. The grant, launched to mark the firm's 20th anniversary, focuses on professional expertise rather than infrastructure costs.
The grant covers professional fees for one of four specific AI project types, excluding third-party software, model usage, or travel expenses. Applicants are limited to a 100-word explanation of their project's potential value.
The players
SMC
A technology consultancy established in 2006 that has completed over 750 projects across Australia and New Zealand.
The details
The consulting services are delivered through a selection process judged by SMC representatives and one external expert. Eligible organizations must provide a concise justification of their project's utility to qualify for the fee-based support. The program draws on the firm's experience from its portfolio of more than 750 previously delivered technology projects.
Timeline
SMC was founded in 2006.
The consulting grant was launched in October 2026.
The Tech Race
This program positions SMC to influence AI adoption strategies within the mid-to-large enterprise market in Oceania. It marks a shift from purely project-based delivery toward targeted capacity-building programs for select clients.
Only organizations with annual revenue above AUD $10 million are eligible to apply for this consulting support. Successful applicants gain access to professional expertise, provided they fall within the four eligible project categories defined by the firm.
The takeaway
The grant highlights a growing industry trend of firms using specialized consulting to differentiate their services for high-revenue clients. Monitor the firm’s future announcements to see how the project selection process evolves following this pilot.
Further reading
Explore the latest developments in business adoption at Artificial Intelligence.
Source note: This article includes information reported by IT Brief Australia.
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