SMC launches AUD $20,000 AI grant for organisations

SMC has launched an AUD $20,000 AI consulting grant for one organisation in Australia or New Zealand to mark the technology advisory firm's 20th anniversary.

The grant is open to organisations with annual revenue above AUD $10 million and provides consulting support rather than cash. Applicants must choose one of four project types: identifying AI use cases, improving adoption of existing AI tools, reviewing exposure to vendor dependence, or assessing risks linked to legacy systems.

The programme reflects a shift in demand from organisations that have already bought AI products but are still trying to determine where those tools deliver measurable returns. Clients are also questioning whether existing AI spending is justified and whether current decisions could create unnecessary costs or operational constraints later.

One option, the AI Opportunity & Use Case Assessment, is for organisations that want to use AI but haven't yet decided where to start. Under this model, SMC reviews one or two priority process areas, identifies and ranks potential AI applications, and prepares an outline business case for the highest-ranked option.

A second stream, AI Adoption & Coaching, is designed for organisations that already hold licences for products such as Microsoft 365 Copilot, ChatGPT or Claude but are not yet seeing sufficient value. The work centres on redesigning one or two workflows for a team using the tools already in place, supported by coaching sessions and a team playbook.

The third option, the Enterprise AI Estate & Independence Review, is for organisations running AI across several platforms. It maps technical, commercial and data dependencies and examines exposure to vendor lock-in.

The fourth, the AI & Legacy Risk Check, is intended for organisations extending AI over older systems or complex integrations. In this project, SMC assesses the systems supporting an AI use case and recommends which components to strengthen, modernise, or replace first.

Jamon Johnston, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of SMC, said many organisations were now beyond the initial purchasing stage.

"Most organisations have already bought AI. The hard part is getting real value from it without locking themselves into decisions they'll regret," Johnston said.

He said the anniversary gave the firm a reason to frame the grant around a practical piece of work. "After 20 years of sitting on the client's side of the table, we wanted to mark the milestone by helping one organisation get that right," Johnston said.

Focused projects

SMC has structured the grant around projects it says can be completed within the AUD $20,000 fee limit. Each project has been tightly defined so the winning organisation receives a specific output rather than a broad review.

Mile Dimkovski, Executive Director at SMC, linked AI outcomes to the condition of business processes and technology foundations.

"AI doesn't fail on its own. It fails when it's bolted onto unclear processes, ageing systems or weak governance," Dimkovski said.

He said the grant was intended to produce something directly usable. "Each project in this grant is deliberately focused, so the winning organisation walks away with something it can act on, not another strategy deck," Dimkovski said.

Assessment process

Applicants must explain in 100 words or fewer why their selected project would create the most value. Entries will be judged on potential business impact, fit between the organisation and the chosen offering, and the organisation's ability to implement the outcomes.

The judging panel will include SMC representatives and one independent external judge. The successful applicant must provide an executive sponsor, access to relevant subject matter experts, and supporting material such as process documents, architecture information or software licensing details.

The grant covers SMC professional fees up to AUD $20,000. It excludes software licences, AI model usage costs, third-party charges, travel and accommodation, and cannot be transferred or exchanged for cash.

Founded in 2006, SMC describes itself as an independent technology advisory firm serving organisations across Australia and New Zealand. It says it has delivered more than 750 technology projects and operates from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Auckland.