The QDSA-DIN Quantum Sensing Grant is designed to strengthen national collaboration and enhance research and development capabilities within Australia’s defence sector. Jointly delivered by the Queensland Defence Science Alliance (QDSA) and the NSW Defence Innovation Network (DIN), the program promotes cross-institutional and cross-state partnerships by connecting researchers from QDSA and DIN member universities to co-develop innovative solutions aligned with Defence’s Innovation, Science and Technology (IS&T) priority areas.

The grant supports multi-disciplinary teams to undertake early-stage research at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 2 to 5, over a period of 12 to 18 months. The program aims to validate the scientific and technical potential of novel concepts, helping bridge the gap between fundamental research and practical defence applications. Projects are expected to generate promising outcomes that position them for further investment and development beyond the grant’s completion.

Applications for the QDSA-DIN Quantum Sensing Grant are open to eligible research applicants from the following universities within Australian Defence Science and Universities Network (ADSUN):

Queensland and Northern Territory

• Griffith University
• Charles Darwin University
• James Cook University
• University of Queensland
• University of the Sunshine Coast
• University of Southern Queensland

New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory

• Australian National University 
• Charles Sturt University
• Macquarie University
• University of Newcastle
• University of New South Wales
• University of Sydney
• University of Technology Sydney 
• University of Wollongong
• Western Sydney University

The QDSA-DIN grant theme is Quantum Sensing for Extreme Environments. Proposed projects will investigate sensor performance and optimisation under harsh conditions. They are expected to conclude with a field demonstration.

Operational environments would include hot, humid and dusty climates as well as those with large temperature variations. Systems would also be expected to operate effectively under high acceleration/large g-forces. At the same time, desirable characteristics include robustness, low size, weight, power and cost (SWaP-C) and high availability.

Potential Defence applications include:

• A1. Autonomous systems
• A2. Undersea navigation
• A3. Subsurface detection
• A4. Hypersonic vehicles
• A5. Radio Frequency sensing

Key dates for QDSA-DIN Quantum Sensing Grant are:

• Call for Proposals open: 12 June 2026
• Information briefing: 17 June 2026 – Download the Presentation Slides
• Call for proposals close: 20 July 2026 at 5pm (AEST)
• Proposals assessed: 16 – 30 August 2026
• Results announced: 07 September 2026
• Project start: January 2027

View guidelines here

Submissions via: https://qdsa.au/qdsa-din-quantum-sensing-grant/

Funding up to $400,000 (AUD) per project.

The 2025 round of QDSA Collaborative Research Grants focuses on the theme of Littoral Operations. The Expression of Interest round calls for project proposals aligned with the QDSA Research Priorities and Topics, which were drawn from the 2024 Defence IS&T Priorities, National Defence Strategy, Integrated Investment Program, and wide consultation with Defence stakeholders.

1. Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR)

      a. Littoral areas

            i. detection of humans/platforms/infrastructure/threats

            ii. beach survey of bathymetry & terrain

      b. Data collection & handling

            i. securely sharing data between relevant assets

            ii. data fusion & analysis to rapidly feed into the Common Operational Picture (COP)

2. Command & Control (C2)

      a. Operational level

            i. centralised, displaced from conflict zone

      b. Tactical level

            i. highly decentralised

            ii. robust & resilient (decision making) under stress, in conflict or degraded conditions

      c. Operational level

            i. joint (multiservice) & combined (multinational)

            ii. increased power, range, reliability & security of communication systems

3.  Cyber Operations

      a. Effects

            i. defence against attacks

      b. Security

            i. encrypted communication & storage

            ii. zero-memory systems (no sensitive data stored onboard)

            iii. increased speed, range & reliability of cyber systems

4. Logistics

      a. Transport

            i. ship-to-shore personnel & equipment

      b. Communications

            i. local wireless networks (RF, laser)

Common Requirements of the Research Topics

• Integration with current in-service systems
• Multi-domain/amphibious capabilities, if required
• Signature managementEnvironmental resilience
• Power requirements (energy/range/endurance)
• Support requirements (deployment/installation/maintenance)

The assessment of grants followed a two-stage process. Key dates for 2025 Collaborative Research Grant are:

• Stage 1 – Call for Expressions of Interest (open 7 July 2025)
• Stage 2 – Request for Detailed Proposal from shortlisted applications (open 8 September 2025)

Visit qdsa.au/qdsa-funding/qdsa-collaborative-research-grants

Up to $250,000 (AUD) per grant. Funding is awarded on a competitive basis, subject to prioritisation against the selection criteria and available funding.

The Queensland Defence Science Alliance (QDSA) is pleased to support higher degree research (HDR) students across the state to develop and initiate Defence partnerships and capability advancement. QDSA has $175,000 to be allocated to HDR Capability Grant projects. Each application will be reviewed and assessed based on individual merit, quality of application and suitability to defence priority areas. This QDSA HDR Capability Grant provides successful candidates with the opportunity and exposure to showcase their research and would suit anyone considering a career in Defence, Science, Engineering and Innovation.

Visit qdsa.au/qdsa-funding/qdsa-hdr-capability-grant

The successful candidates will be funded for a period of three (3) months at a stipend of $20,000 (AUD) plus an additional $5,000 (AUD) for any prototyping or equipment costs required in the project.