Click on the funding name for more details.
Federal and State Defence Funding Opportunities
FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
CURRENT FEDERAL OPPORTUNITIES
Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator RFI
The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) issued its first Request For Information (RFI), seeking insights on sovereign industry capabilities related to uncrewed aerial systems and trusted autonomy. ASCA has replaced the Defence Innovation Hub (DIH) and the Next Generation Technology Fund (NGTF) as of 1 July 2023.
RFI responses close 21 August 2023 at 4:30pm (AEST).
The Amelia Earhart Fellowship
These fellowships are to support women pursuing PhD/doctoral degrees in aerospace engineering and space sciences. The Fellowship may be used at any university or college offering accredited post-graduate courses and degrees in these fields.
The US$10,000 Fellowship is awarded annually to up to 30 women.
DSTG Opportunities
This fund is set to invest about $1.2billion on research and development in emerging and future technologies. It focuses on 9 priority areas including Enhanced human performance, Trusted autonomous systems and Integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
$1.2billion
Defence Innovation Hub
The Defence Innovation Hub invests in innovative Australian businesses which are developing technologies to enhance defence capability. It has committed to investing $800 million to 2030. Proposals can be submitted 365 days a year as the Hub runs an open call for proposals against defined innovation priorities.
$800 million in funding over the decade to 2030
Defence Global Competitiveness Grant
This grant helps businesses invest in projects that boost their defence export capability, with the aim of creating a more sustainable, competitive and stronger Australian defence industry.
Grants of $24,000 – $240,000 available. Businesses will need to contribute 20% of the eligible project value.
Skilling Australia’s Defence Industry Grant
This grant funding is to provide training opportunities and skills development. It’s available for eligible SMEs including those who have a defence contract or are tendering for one. Defence industry associations who are training their own team or facilitating training may also be eligible.
Grants of between $5,000 -$500,000
Grants of between $5,000 -$500,000
Joint Strike Fighter Industry Support Program Sustainment Grants
This funding is available for eligible Australian businesses who are developing new capabilities or improving existing capabilities to win work for the Joint Strike Fighter Program.
From $50,000 – $250,000 to fund up to 50% of eligible project expenditure
CURRENT QUEENSLAND OPPORTUNITIES
Advance Queensland
Funding of $775 million is supporting programs that drive innovation, build on Queensland’s natural advantages and help raise our profile as an attractive investment destination. Mix of funding, programs and grants open to universities and researchers, small business, supporting industry and more.
$775 million
Backing Queensland Business Investment Fund
Created to support established small and medium businesses innovate, realise their potential, and promote job creation in Queensland. The BQBIF is dedicated to making direct investment in Queensland business and industry and is managed by QIC.
Visit www.qic.com.au/bqbif
Ideal for businesses seeking investment of between $2.5 to $10 million.
PAST FEDERAL OPPORTUNITIES
Innovation Connections
Innovation Connections helps businesses understand their research needs and opportunities. Funding allows businesses to undertake collaborative research projects.
Researcher Placement – up to a maximum of $50,000.
Business Researcher Placement – up to a maximum of $50,000.
Graduate Placement – up to $30,000.
Industry Research Fellowships
These fellowships are to support PhD qualified researchers undertake industry based analysis that will positively impact the translation of research outcomes into practical application within Queensland.
The following fellowship grants are available:
- early-career fellowships – $160,000 over two years, or $240,000 over three years (excluding GST)
- mid-career fellowships – $240,000 over two years, or $360,000 over three years (excluding GST)
Quantum Next Generation Radar Challenge 2022
Quantum Next Generation (QNG) is a series of technology challenges that Army has created to help develop the next generation of quantum thinkers and drive the growth of Australia’s quantum industry.
Army’s Quantum Next Generation (QNG) Radar Challenge is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students and early career researchers (within 6 years of higher degree award) associated with Australian institutions, and current Defence personnel or APS members.
The QNG2022 winning team at Pitchfest will receive:
- a special invitation and admission to Army Quantum Technology Challenge 2023 (QTC23) (subject to security and admission policies)
- an invitation to submit a proposal to further develop and exhibit their solution at Army QTC23 up to $50,000.
5 October – 2 November
Team nominations open4 November
Teams registered and provided with login details7 November – 7 December
The 2022 Radar Challenge8 December
Results published and shortlisted teams announced for PitchFest9 – 16 December
PitchFest and winner announced
Postgraduate Opportunities - APMA Program
The Advanced Piezoelectric Materials and Applications (APMA) Program is offering four PhD scholarships, to be conducted through the Australian National University, UNSW Sydney and the University of Wollongong, starting early 2023. The research topic is on understanding and improving piezoelectric properties for sonar applications.
Those interested should apply via the attached link before 20 January 2023.
$45,000 per annum
Science Industry Endowment Fund: SIEF Ross Metcalf STEM + Business Fellowship Program
The funding aims to support the placement of early career researchers and in turn build on existing successful collaborative projects.
Fellowship grant of up to $115,000/ year. The amount must be matched by the business.
DSTG Scholarships
DST funds a number of scholarships at universities around Australia to support emerging researchers and STEM professionals.
These scholarships can provide a pathway to full-time employment at DSTG.
Artificial Intelligence for Decision Making Initiative 2022
Artificial Intelligence for Decision Makers (AI4DM) is an initiative to identify and develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) expertise in areas of importance to the Australian defence and national security community.
Individuals are invited to apply their skills and expertise to solve one of 30 research and development-related challenges.
Successful applicants will be provided with a fixed value of $30,000 per project and could also be part of a national network focused on developing AI and ML technology, through the Defence AI Research Network (DAIRNet).
Close Date & Time: 1 April 2022, 2 pm AEST (Brisbane Time)
Army Innovation Day 2022 – Call for industry Submissions
The Defence Innovation Hub, in collaboration with the Australian Army is now seeking innovative Submissions from industry for a Special Notice relating to ‘Tactical Logistics Uncrewed Aerial Systems for the Land Force’ (including exhibition at Army Innovation Day 2022).
Defence is seeking innovative Logistics Uncrewed Aerial Systems (LOG-UAS) that can undertake routine resupply, high risk combat resupply, or casualty evacuation missions.
Submissions are to be evaluated against set criteria as outlined in the Challenge Statement and Call for Submission Terms.
Submissions must be made through the Defence Innovation Hub portal. Click here to view all details.
This opportunity is open to Tenderers registered in Australia or New Zealand only. Defence’s objective in this CFS (Stage 1) is to evaluate and then down-select a number of Tenderers to attend Army Innovation Day 2022 (AID22) and to further down-select a number of Tenderers to submit a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Stage 2
Close Date & Time: Thursday 5 May 2022, 2 pm AEST (Brisbane Time)
NSSTC Technology Challenges
The QDSA in partnership with Australia’s National Security Science and Technology Centre (NSSTC) is calling for submissions to address three science and technology challenges specific to Australia’s national security.
The challenges are aimed at mid to high-range Technology Readiness Levels to support research that has reached or surpassed proof of concept and progressed to the development of a prototype solution.
Up to $200,000 (ex GST) per project is available to support a maximum of three projects of 18-24 months’ duration.
Close Date & Time: Now Closed.
Human Integrated Sensor Systems RFP
DMTC and DSTG have released a Request For Proposal in the specialty of Human Integrated Sensor Systems. This RFP release is part of the Department of Defence’s Operating in Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Environments (OCE) StaR Shot.
In collaboration with DMTC, the OCE STaR Shot wishes to enhance warfighter capability via the application of advanced biotechnology and data analytics to measure and interpret indicators of chemical and biological (CB) exposure from the human body. A fact sheet about this opportunity can be found here.
Successful proposals will develop projects that articulate a clear vision for a self-contained demonstration system that meaningfully and measurably advance the HISS towards a product/s that is capable of being used in the field.
There is up to $3 million available for funding these projects.
Close Date & Time: NOW CLOSED
Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grants
Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grants support short-term, industry-led collaborations to develop a new technology product or service. Successful applicants can receive matched funding of between $100,000 and $3 million for up to 3 years.
Matched funding of between $100,000 and $3 million.
Close Date & Time: NOW CLOSED.
Department of Defence Ground-Based Medium Range Air Defence RFP
The Department of Defence has published a request for proposal (RFP) for the Medium Range Ground Based Air Defence System.
The AIR6502 Phase 1 project will provide a deployable, Ground-Based Medium Range Air Defence capability designed to deter, deny and/or defeat air and missile threats to the Joint Force and valuable assets.
The project aims to maximise Australian industry involvement, and develop local expertise to deliver long-term boost to sovereign defence capabilities.
This request for proposal will be assessed by Defence on a case-by-case basis after receiving further information as to solutions that are available.
Close Date & Time: NOW CLOSED.
Quantum Technology Challenge 2022
The Australian Army is Calling for Submissions to Quantum Technology Challenge 2022 (QTC22).
In QTC22, teams of Australia’s world-leading quantum scientists and engineers will compete to show
how quantum technologies can solve important problems and deliver Army an advantage in the land domain.The QTC22 challenges are:
- Can quantum sensors precisely locate electromagnetic emitters in the battlespace?
- Can quantum computers more efficiently or accurately identify threats and critical information in signals and images?
- Can post-quantum cryptography protocols really secure our communications against quantum computers in practice?
Top ranked teams will be invited to submit major proposals for the further development and evaluation of their solutions over the next 2 years.
Close Date & Time: NOW CLOSED.
DSTG Undergraduate & Postgraduate Industry Experience Placement Program for STEM Students
Applications are invited from students seeking to gain industry experience in a large research organisation. The placement provides the opportunity for undergraduate and postgraduate students to complete the compulsory industry placement component required for their degree.
Six or 12 months with Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG).
Close Date & Time: NOW CLOSED
Next Generation Personal Electronic Countermeasures Opportunity
The Defence Innovation Hub, in collaboration with the Australian Army is seeking Innovation Proposals from industry that will assist Defence in exploring next-generation Personal Electronic Countermeasures (Personal ECM) systems.
Army seeks to explore improvements in Personal ECM system components (for example processing, amplifiers, antennas and batteries) that can be integrated into a single solution, and are easy to operate. Next Generation Personal ECM systems will need to be interoperable with other radio frequency (RF) and electrical systems, and able to log operational data to support exploitation.
Up to $5,000,000 (GST exclusive) has been allocated for this procurement process.
Close Date & Time: NOW CLOSED
Industrial Transformation Training Centres 2022 Grant Opportunity
This grant is aimed at fostering close partnerships between university-based researchers and industry, through creating and delivering innovative Higher Degree by Research (HDR) and postdoctoral training.
Eligible applicants are invited to submit proposals for projects that:
- support HDR candidates and postdoctoral researchers to undertake industrial training;
- support research collaboration between universities and organisations outside the Australian higher education sector; and
- strengthen the capabilities of industry and research end-users in identified Industrial Transformation Priority areas.
From $650k to $1M per grant. Funding commencing in 2022.
Close Date & Time: NOW CLOSED
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs Grant Opportunity
This grant is aimed at the creation of industry and academic partnerships working together on research and development projects to create innovative and transformative solutions for industry.
Eligible applicants are invited to submit proposals for projects:
- between universities and organisations outside the Australian higher education sector that involve cutting-edge research on new technologies; and
- which leverage national and international investment in targeted industry sectors, including from industry and other research end-users.
From $650k to $1M per grant. Funding commencing in 2022.
Close Date & Time: NOW CLOSED
Human Integrated Sensor System (HISS) Opportunity through DMTC
In partnership with DMTC, DSTG is looking for people with experience in sensing systems, advanced biotechnology and data analytics, to share knowledge, experience, and ideas at their Human Integrated Sensor System (HISS) collaborative workshop.
After the RFI process, if your organisation is invited to participate in a workshop, you may be encouraged to collaborate with other partners/organisations to submit a proposal for consideration.
Invited Workshop with $3M funding available based upon a more narrowed focus identified in the workshop and from RFI responses.
Close Date & Time: NOW CLOSED
Quantum Next Generation 2021 Opportunity
Quantum Next Generation 2021 (QNG 2021) aims to orientate the next generation to Army’s needs and equip them with experience and networks to deliver the future sovereign quantum industry, whilst also scoping solutions to an important quantum technology challenge.
Teams are invited to submit proposals for solutions to the QNG 2021 Challenge that is outlined on the website below.
- Coaching sessions and registration to the AIP Summer Meeting.
- Special invitation and admission to the Army Robotics Expo 2022, Quantum Technology Challenge 2022 and the Army Innovation Day 2022 (subject to security and admission policies) to be held mid-2022.
- Invitation to submit a proposal to Army to be awarded funding to further develop their solution and demonstrate it as a special entrant into the Quantum Technology Challenge 2022.
Close Date & Time: NOW CLOSED
Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Grant
This grant is for Australian SMEs who are striving to build industrial capabilities that align with Defence’s Sovereign Industrial Capability Priorities. $70,000 – $1.4million is available for up to 70% cost of the project.
Funding for a 3-year-period is capped at $4.2 million for each recipient.
Capability Improvement Grant
Businesses who’ve received a recommendation for improvements by the Centre for Defence Industry Capability (CDIC) can apply for the Capability Improvement Grant. This funding aims to improve business capability in the defence industry.
Grants of between $4,000 -$240,000
Modern Manufacturing Initiative
The Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI) offers Australian Government funding for the nation’s priority manufacturing areas. This initiative works on a co-investment basis and can cover up to 50% of project costs.
Up to 50% of project costs
PAST QUEENSLAND OPPORTUNITIES
SmartSat Node Project Grants - Queensland Earth Observation Hub
The establishment of the EO Hub aims to accelerate the growth of Queensland’s, and Australia’s, Earth observation industry by supporting commercialisation of research, and EO product and service development.
Partnering Program – Up to $300,000 funding available
Calibration and Validation Schemes – Up to $150,000 funding available
Defence and Aerospace Industry Development Fund
The Defence and Aerospace Industry Development Fund offers grants to small-to-medium enterprises in Queensland supplying – or with the potential to supply – goods or services to the defence, aerospace and space sectors.
Grants from $3,000 to $30,000 (excluding GST) in matched funding will be awarded to approved applicants to support international and industry certification.
Made In Queensland
The Made In Queensland program offers support for small to medium manufacturers. The program aims to increase productivity and innovation via the adoption of new technologies, as well as increasing international competitiveness.
Grants of between $50,000 and $2.5 million available