Federal and State Defence Funding Opportunities

FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Click on the funding name for more details.

CURRENT FEDERAL OPPORTUNITIES

Defence Industry Development Grants

  • The Defence Industry Development Grants Program funds SMEs to build Australia’s sovereign capability, global competitiveness, technical superiority and national security.

     

    There are four streams within the program, including: Sovereign Industrial Priorities, Exports, Security, and Skilling.

  • Grants of $100,000 – $1 million available. Grants will cover up to 50% of eligible expenditure.

  • Security – entries close 31 October, 11:59 pm (AEST)
    Skilling – entries close 31 October, 11:59 pm (AEST)
    Sovereign Industrial Priorities – entries close 30 November, 11:59 pm (AEST)
    Exports – entries close 30 November, 11:59 pm (AEST)

Export Market Development Grants

  • The Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) program provides grants to Australian small and medium enterprises and their representative bodies to:

    Market and promote their goods and services globally

    Undertake export training

     

    EMDG provides grants for the following:

    Tier 1 – small and medium enterprises ready to export

    Tier 2 – small and medium enterprises exporting within existing markets

    Tier 3 – small and medium enterprises exporting to new key markets

Regional University Industry Collaboration Program
  • The Regional University Industry Collaboration (RUIC) program is designed exclusively for Queensland-based SMEs, providing support at every stage of their R&D journey. The program offers the skills, funding, expertise, and networks necessary to drive innovation across the state’s regions.

  • Access up to $50,000 to conduct a collaborative R&D project with a partner university (partner universities include our Alliance’s James Cook University).

National Reconstruction Fund
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.

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

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

Joint Strike Fighter Industry Support Program Sustainment Grants

CURRENT QUEENSLAND OPPORTUNITIES

Made in Queensland Grant
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.

  • Ideal for businesses seeking investment of between $2.5 to $10 million.

PAST FEDERAL OPPORTUNITIES

ASCA Pitch Day 2024

  • ASCA have launched a $4 million pitch day in alignment with DIDS, and are calling for EOI submission in response to this year’stheme, ‘innovative asymmetric advantage’.

    Successful tenderers will be invited to pitch at ASCA Pitch Day 2024 held during the Australian Defence Science Technology and Research (ADSTAR) Summit, 17-19 September in Canberra.

  • Up to AUD$1 million

  • Submissions close 22 July 2024 at 2:00pm (AEST).

Defence Industry Development Grants Program

  • The Defence Industry Development Grants Program will fund small to medium enterprises to build Australia’s sovereign capability, global competitiveness, technical superiority and national security. There are four streams within the program, including:

    • Sovereign Industrial Priorities
    • Exports
    • Security
    • Skilling

  • Up to AUD$750,000

  • ​Skilling and Export streams – submissions close 31 July

    Security and Sovereign Industrial Priorities – submissions close 31 August

Defence Human Sciences Symposium 2024
DASA Themed Competition: Delivering operational advantage via improved self-sufficiency and operational energy innovation

  • This international challenge run by Defence and Security Accelerator seeks proposals for novel technologies that will enable defence to increase deployed self-sufficiency and endurance across the maritime, land and air domains whilst reducing logistical burden and optimising power and energy.

    This competition has seven challenge areas: food, water, materiel, waste, platform power and energy, platform thermal management, and deployed power and energy.

  • £3.1 million (excluding VAT)

  • Submissions close 2 July 2024 at 9:00pm (AEST).

Critical Technologies Challenge Program

  • This program provides consortia with funding to develop quantum technology solutions or a component(s) that contributes to a solution for market-led challenges of national significance. Solutions may also involve the use of other advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics.

    The challenges are:

    Challenge 1: Optimise the performance, sustainability, and security of energy networks.

    Challenge 2: Improve medical imaging and medical sensors to support diagnosis, treatment of disease and monitoring activities inside the human body.

    Challenge 3: Enhance communication with autonomous systems in varying environments.

    Challenge 4: Optimise and reduce the impact of resource exploration, extraction, and mineral processing.

    There will be two grant opportunities as part of this program.

  • Up to $500,000 for a Stage 1 Feasibility project and up to $5 million for a Stage 2 Demonstrator project.

  • Submissions close 2 July 2024 at 5:00pm (AEST).

Army Innovation Day 2024 Innovation Concept

  • Army must enhance the endurance, lethality and survivability of soldiers in response to the challenges of future operations in increasingly complex, distributed, regional and littoral environments. How do we grow, equip, train, deploy and sustain an Army of the future that is able to operate in austerity, at scale and in a technologically enhanced way applicable to the Littoral challenges prevalent in our region. Army seeks innovative capabilities for the soldier in the following focus themes:

    Theme 1 – Enhanced Operational Endurance

    Theme 2 – Enhanced Tactical Lethality

    Theme 3 – Enhanced Tactical Survivability

  • Submissions close 13 June 2024 at 11:00am (AEST).

Land Forces 2024 Innovation Awards

  • This is a Pitch Fest activity that will be taking place at the biennial Land Forces Conference in September 2024. Australian organisations and individuals are invited to submit their innovation, which could be at various stages of development, to one of three categories:

    Land Forces 2024 Innovation Award

    Land Forces 2024 Emerging Technology Award

    Land Forces 2024 Young Innovator Award

  • $40,000

  • Submissions close 12 June 2024 at 7:00pm (AEST).

Defence and Aerospace Industry Development Fund

  • The Defence and Aerospace Industry Development (DAID) Fund provides targeted financial assistance to eligible small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operating in the defence, aerospace or space sectors.

    This program supports SMEs to acquire recognised certification to help them participate in new or existing supply chains in the defence, aerospace and space industries.

  • From $5,000 (excluding GST) to a maximum of $30,000 (excluding GST) in matched funding (up to 50% funding). Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander businesses may apply for up to 75% funding.

  • Submissions close 10 June 2024 at 11:59pm (AEST).

Global Science and Technology Diplomacy Fund Strategic Element

  • The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE), in collaboration with the Australian Academy of Science (AAS), will deliver the Australian Government’s 6 million dollars Global Science and Technology Diplomacy Fund (GSTDF) Strategic Element to open up a world of science and technology enterprise for Australian researchers and innovators. The Fund includes grants ranging from AUD $100,000 to $1,000,000 (totalling $6 million) for eligible Australian organisations collaborating on key areas of science and technology with priority partner countries across the Asia-Pacific region.

  • Grants from AUD $100,000 to $1,000,000

  • Expressions of Interest close 31 May 2024 at 5:00pm (AEST).

Defence Innovation Unit Transition of Quantum Sensors Program

  • The US Department of Defence seeks solutions to prototype and operationally demonstrate quantum sensors to address several warfighter needs. The intent is to have mid-course functional demonstrations of end-to-end solutions, followed by operational demonstrations within the next five years for relevant military applications and mission sets to conclude the prototyping program.

    This multi-phase, multi-year initiative seeks to prototype mature technologies that will culminate in demonstrations of end-to-end DoD operational utility. As part of TQS, there are several lines of effort (LoEs) including: inertial sensing, magnetometers, and technology insertions for spiral enhancements to quantum sensing.

  • Submissions close 30 May 2024 at 2:00pm (AEST).

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

2024 ONRG Global-X Challenge

  • The Office of Naval Research (ONR) Global-X Challenge aims to discover, and ultimately provide a catalyst through a research grant (up to US$750,000), for the development and delivery of revolutionary capability to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, the commercial marketplace, and the public. This Global-X Challenge provides an opportunity for these international researchers to collaborate, generate revolutionary ideas and show proof of concept these ideas will succeed within 9 months.

  • White paper submissions close 19 March 2024 at 2:59pm (AEST).

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).

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 open

    4 November
    Teams registered and provided with login details

    7 November – 7 December
    The 2022 Radar Challenge

    8 December
    Results published and shortlisted teams announced for PitchFest

    9 – 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
DSTG Scholarships
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
Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grants
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
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

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