QDSA Funding Opportunities

QDSA FUNDING

Click on the funding name for more details.

QDSA Collaborative Research Grant

  • The 2026 round of QDSA Collaborative Research Grants focuses on the theme of Ground/Surface-based Air Defence.

    The 2026 Research Topics (numbered), Context/Environment descriptors (lettered) and challenges (dot points) are:

    1. Counter High-Speed Threat

    a. Detection, tracking, targeting

      • ground-based tracking
      • stratospheric targeting
      • guidance systems
      • integrated, multi-layered defence

    b. Non-kinetic effectors

      • Electronic warfare (EW)
    1. Counter UAS

    a. Sensing, seeking

      • radio frequency (RF)
      • electro optical (EO)
      • radar, seismic, acoustic

    b. Kinetic, and non-kinetic effectors

      • ground-launched platforms
      • directed energy
      • high-power RF

    c. Other systems

      • command & control (C2)
      • multi-vehicle tracking
      • sensor fusion
    1. Decision Support

    a. Information Fusion

      • threat evaluation
      • reducing cognitive load

    b. Human-machine teaming

      • hybrid autonomous decision systems
      • rapid decision making

    c. Integration

      • Joint Air Battle Management System (JABMS) integration
      • modular open-systems architectures

    Common Requirements of the Research Topics

    • Integration with current in-service systems
    • Modularized components
    • Cluttered electromagnetic and urban environments
    • Resilience to cyber and EW interference
    • Power requirements (energy/range/endurance)

    Key dates:

    • EOI applications open – 14 July 2026
    • 2026 QDSA CRG Briefing and Networking Event – 23 July 2026 – Download slides
    • EOI applications close – 18 August 2026 5pm (AEST)
    • Notification of success and request for detailed applications open – 7 September 2026
    • Detailed applications close – 13 October 2026 5pm (AEST)
    • Notification of successful proposals – from 5 December 2026

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

QDSA-DIN Quantum Sensing Grant

  • 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

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

HDR Capability Grant (Merit Based)

  • 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.

  • 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.