PLEASE NOTE: Stage 1 – Expressions of Interest are now closed.
QDSA is pleased to announce Expressions of Interest for the 2023
Collaborative Research Grants are now open.
With a firm focus on collaboration and up to $250,000 available per grant, this funding will help accelerate new projects through to capability in key Defence priority areas.
Projects must be led by a QDSA member university and be in collaboration with an Australian industry partner, or an additional university here in Queensland or another state or territory.
Funding will be awarded on a competitive basis, subject to prioritisation against the selection criteria and available funding. These grants will be administered across two stages.
Below you’ll find key information including closing dates, requirements, and eligibility. Full information and how to apply – including a downloadable EOI template – is available on the Collaborative Research Grants information page.
What are the priority areas?
This Expression of Interest round calls for project proposals aligned with the following priorities set out in the Defence Strategic Review:
Northern Australia Capabilities – Improving the ADF’s ability to operate from Australia’s Northern bases.
- Resilient Supply Chains & the GWEO Enterprise
- Small, Multi-role, Scalable UAS o Deployable, High Energy Power Systems
- Alternative Fuels
- Tropical Health & Infectious Diseases
- Human Performance in the Tropics
Innovative Asymmetric Technologies – Lifting our capacity to rapidly translate disruptive new technologies into ADF capability, in close partnership with Australian industry.
- Undersea Warfare Capabilities (e.g., Sensing)
- Quantum Technologies
- Advanced (e.g., High-Temperature) Materials
- Cyber Security & Cyber Warfare
- Agile Command & Control
What are the requirements for eligibility?
Applicants must satisfy all eligibility criteria as follows:
- Project must be aimed at supporting Defence Strategic Review priorities
- Project must be led by a QDSA member university (Griffith University, James Cook University or the University of Queensland)
- Australian Industry partner or additional member University must be engaged for collaboration
- For security purposes, the applicants must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- The project must have already reached Technology Readiness Level 3 or 4 and, with additional support, define a clear pathway through to TRL 6 to 7 (prototype stage). There must also be clear plan for transition to capability beyond the 12-month project.
The following attributes are desirable:
- Multi-disciplinary team
- Project alignment with Defence priorities listed above
When are submissions due?
The assessment of grants will follow a two-stage process. Key dates for 2023 Collaborative Research Grant are:
Stage 1 – Call for Expressions of Interest (closing 11th September 2023)
Stage 2 – Request for Detailed Proposal from shortlisted applications (due 19th October 2023)
Please note the following dates:
- EOI Applications Open – 14 August 2023
- EOI Applications Close – 11 September 2023
- EOIs shortlisted and ranked – 6 October 2023
- Request detailed proposal – 6 October 2023
- Detailed proposal due – 6 November 2023
- Selection panel meets – to be advised
- Anticipated notification of outcomes – to be advised
How to submit an EOI
Visit the QDSA Collaborative Research Grants page for full details on application requirements, eligibility and conditions.
IMPORTANT: To submit your EOI please download the EOI template available on the page below.
Good luck to all applicants!
We look forward to receiving EOI submissions for the 2023 Collaborative Research Grants and funding collaborative projects that bring together academia and industry that will accelerate sovereign Defence capability. Good luck to all project teams who apply!
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The Queensland Defence Science Alliance (QDSA) is a university-led initiative to grow and connect an agile Defence innovation ecosystem, leveraging Queensland’s strengths, to deliver trusted solutions to meet Defence requirements.
