Learn more about how the QDSA 2024 CRG Program, along with FAQs discussed during the briefing and networking event.
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QDSA is thrilled to announce Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the 2024 QDSA Collaborative Research Grants (CRG) are now open and will close Monday 16 September, 2024. Successful projects are eligible to receive up to $250,000 for projects related to Defence priority areas. These projects must be collaborative in nature and be completed within 12…
On the back of QDSA’s announcement that EOIs are now open for the 2024 QDSA Collaborative Research Grants (CRG) , researchers and industry partners are invited to attend a Briefing and Networking evening in Brisbane on Thursday 22 August 2024. In the spirit of forging greater collaboration between researchers and industry across Queensland and the Northern…
Australia’s defence innovation, science and technology ecosystem has been strengthened today with the announcement that the Northern Territory (NT) headquartered Charles Darwin University (CDU) has joined the Queensland Defence Science Alliance (QDSA). The expansion of QDSA into the NT will see the Alliance remain at the forefront of critical Australian defence research capabilities. QDSA already…
The Queensland Defence Science Alliance (QDSA) is excited to announce the winners of the 2023 QDSA Collaborative Research Grants that will see $1.8 million investment into Queensland science and innovation projects to help meet the future needs of Australian Defence. The call for collaborative research projects yielded a staggering 47 submissions from across Queensland, with…
In late February 2024, the Federal Government announced a master plan for greater defence industry collaboration, the Defence Industry Development Strategy (DIDS). DIDs outlined a framework to expedite procurement, support, and development of Defence capability signalling stronger partnerships between Defence and industry. At the time of the announcement, the Government also announced increased funding for…
DSTG’s program NAVIGATE has opened the call for external partner rotation bids to provide mid-career DSTG STEM professionals with a secondment opportunity within your organisation. Submissions close CoB Tuesday 26 March 2024. What is the NAVIGATE program? 39 DSTG NAVIGATE 2.0 participants (15 of which are current DSTG STEM professionals; the others are new to defence) will undertake two…
The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) is calling for proposals to help co-design and deliver ASCA’s first mission. These are the first problem statements to be released by ASCA since its launch in July 2023. The Request for Proposal (RFP) is available on AusTender. QDSA is strongly encouraging Queensland’s Defence industry and research community to…
QDSA, in partnership with the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA), hosted the inaugural Queensland ASCA Forum on 14 November 2023. Queensland was the second stop for the national roadshow as Professor Emily Hilder, Interim Head of ASCA, toured around the country and shared how ASCA’s three core Defence innovation pathways would roll out. Below you’ll…
The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) is calling for submissions for the first two priority areas under its Emerging and Disruptive Technology (EDT) program – Information Warfare and Quantum Technologies. This announcement comes on the back of ASCA’s launch in July and a national roadshow including the Queensland ASCA Forum held in Brisbane in November…
The QDSA Showcase Event, held in October 2023, provided an opportunity for the Alliance and its key stakeholders to hear research updates from recent QDSA grant and funding recipients. The event brought together more than 30 stakeholders, including Government and Defence representatives, QDSA member universities, and recipients of QDSA grants and funding from throughout the…
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…
QDSA is proud to continue its financial support of some of the state’s sharpest research minds. Here are the six (6) recipients of our 2022 HDR Capability Grants program whose projects will see the initiation and development of Defence partnerships and capability advancement within academia spanning quantum, health, AI and hypersonics. In 2022, we awarded…
On Thursday 13th July, the University of Queensland (UQ) hosted QDSA and State Government representatives for a tour of their facilities and to learn about the latest research and innovations with Defence potential. The tour was packed with exciting research, deep insights, and Defence potential. Attendees included: Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology (EAIT)…
The Federal Government has finalised an agreement with North Queensland Simulation Park (NQ SPARK), marking the commencement of northern Australia’s first-of-its-kind collaborative defence industry hub. NQ SPARK is set to deliver world-class simulation and training opportunities to north Queensland with state-of-the-art facilities supported by the Townsville City Council, the Queensland Government, and James Cook University.…
The recent three-day tour, co-hosted by QDSA and the ARM Hub (Advanced Robotics of Manufacturing), offered a unique opportunity to explore key research, industry, and Defence training grounds in Townsville. During this recent tour, attendees had the privilege of immersing ourselves in the heart of the action, gaining firsthand experience of the dynamic environments where…
The Queensland Defence Science Alliance (QDSA) welcomed the release of the Defence Strategic Review (DSR) in April. While the DSR sets the strategy at the national level, we are looking forward to seeing the release of detailed project and investment information in the coming months. The sunshine state is home to significant Defence capability across…
QDSA is excited to announce the appointment of Associate Director, Dr Roger Stuckey. Roger’s appointment marks the end of Dr Jeremy Anderson’s two-year tenure as the DSTG representative in QDSA’s leadership team. In this article, we introduce Roger and learn more about his plans to continue expand the Defence and science network in Queensland below.…
Continuing our article series of introducing Queensland Defence industry representatives, today we interview recent AC2 STaR Shot workshop winner, Nigel Greenwood. In this interview, Nigel shares about his career highlights and his insightful take on the Defence Industry and its future. Getting to Know Nigel Greenwood What is your current title/role/responsibilities? I’m the founder and…
QDSA was honoured to host the Agile Command and Control (AC2) Science, Technology and Research (STaR) Shot Workshop on Thursday 4 August 2022 in Brisbane. This first-of-its-kind workshop for QDSA saw Queensland researchers and local industry collaborate and pitch for a share of $600,000 in seed funding from Defence and the Queensland State Government with…
On Tuesday August 2, 2022, QDSA, in partnership with Griffith University, hosted the Queensland Griffith Cyber Showcase with special guests including Dr Gareth Parker and Mr Suneel Randhawa from the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), and Ms Jade Demnar from Australian Signals Directorate. In this recap, we cover the increasing importance of Cyber, notable…
QDSA Collaborative Research Grants With so much activity already underway in the QDSA office, today we have the pleasure of another big announcement! We are extremely pleased to announce the launch of the inaugural QDSA Collaborative Research Grants. Much planning has gone into this program, and we cannot wait to witness the progress of successfully…
The Three Pillars of QDSA – Communication, Connection and Collaboration In late 2021, following significant consultation from QDSA key stakeholders about the direction of the Alliance and how it could best assist Queenslanders and Defence in identifying research and capabilities across Queensland, a strategic planning meeting was held. The outcome of this meeting was threefold:…
Two Queenslanders Successful in 2022 AI4DM Round 3 AI4DM Round 3 – QDSA is pleased to announce that there have been two (2) successful Queensland recipients in the latest round of the Artificial Intelligence for Decision Making Initiative (AI4DM) in 2022. Successful recipients receive fixed funding of $30,000 per project. They are eligible to be…
UQ Capability Showcase for DSTG – Friday 6th May On Friday 6th May, the University of Queensland hosted a delegation from DSTG to visit their facilities and learn about Defence capability at UQ. The event served the dual purpose of allowing DSTG representatives to also meet with researchers working on projects of interest to Defence.…
DSTG Leadership Team Visit Provides Unique Opportunity for QDSA Members DSTG Leadership Team Visit – In early May, QDSA members had a rare opportunity to engage with the DSTG Leadership Team during their visit to the Australian Hypersonics Research Precinct at Eagle Farm. This event exemplified the vital role QDSA plays in creating connections and…
AUKUS Pact: Hypersonics Technology Development Extension Creates Opportunities for QDSA Members AUKUS Pact Hypersonics – In September 2021, Australia, the UK and the US announced a three-way strategic alliance which means that the countries will now work together in the Indo-Pacific region and build a class of nuclear-propelled submarines. We previously published an article highlighting…
EPE MILTECS – Human Teaming and Response Robotics Standardised Testing, Evaluation and Certification Interactive Showcase Event Recap On Thursday, 21 April 2022, QDSA teamed up with EPE and the CSIRO to officially open the Military Test, Evaluation, Certification and Systems Assurance (MILTECS) facility and host an interactive showcase featuring presentations on human teaming and response…
PROTEGAS Australia Presentation on Foreign Interference and IP Protection – A stellar line up of presenters tackled the important topic of Foreign interference and IP protection at an event jointly hosted by PROTEGAS Australia and QDSA on Wednesday 4th May 2022 at Queensland University of Technology. In today’s climate of growing global instability and tension,…
Getting to Know Warwick Penrose Following on from the hugely successful EPE MILTECS Showcase event, the QDSA team thought it fitting to introduce you to the driving force behind EPE. Continuing our series of industry profiles, today, we introduce you to Warwick Penrose. What are your current roles and responsibilities? I am the Managing Director…
Encouraging the Growth of Sovereign Capability Communication – Connection – Collaboration – These are our three strategic pillars at Queensland Defence Science Alliance (QDSA). These pillars guide our daily work to advance sovereign capability in Australia. One of the key ways we do this is by facilitating site visits and demonstrations of the capability of…
We are consistently surprised and delighted by the calibre of people we connect with through our QDSA network. It is no secret that the talent pool in Defence and Science is evolving daily, and we are privileged to be able to showcase the amazing people in it. Today we continue our tribute to March’s 2022…
The Artificial Intelligence for Decision Making Initiative (the Initiative) 2022 is now accepting applications. The Initiative is a collaborative project between the Office of National Intelligence (ONI) and the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), to develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) expertise and capability in areas of significant importance to the Australian…
Continuing our series of showcasing powerhouse women in Defence and Science in celebration of International Women’s Day 2022, we introduce to you Distinguished Professor Lyn Griffiths, Director, Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, at Queensland University of Technology. Professor Griffiths is researching the use of cutting-edge DNA technology to identify Australian fallen soldiers’ remains. For…
What Are QDSA HDR Capability Grants? In June of 2021, QDSA were pleased to announce the inaugural launch of a program that provides grants to recipients who are completing higher degree research (HDR). This program is the first funding initiative offered by QDSA and has already seen 3 successful recipients enjoying the benefits this kind…
Meet Dr Julia Carins – Throughout our month-long celebration of International Women’s Day, we will continue to showcase profiles of a series of powerhouse women who have made significant contributions to Defence and Science. Today, we introduce Dr Julia Carins, Associate Professor of Social Marketing, Social Marketing @ Griffith Research Centre, Griffith University. Julia is…
To commence our celebration of International Women’s Day 2022, we begin our series of profiles of notable women in Defence and science by introducing Jasmine Riddle from JRS Manufacturing Group. Jasmine is well-positioned to understand the significance of the #breakthebias theme that International Women’s Day has adopted for 2022. With a career beginning in the…
QLD’s Defence Research to Boom As previously mentioned in our December 2021/January 2022 Recap, QDSA recently attended the opening of the brand new purpose-built DSTG Hypersonics Research Precinct at Eagle Farm, Brisbane. The centre is a significant development for Defence research in Australia and provides a plethora of exciting opportunities for increasing sovereign capability and…
As an organisation that is instrumental in facilitating connections and collaborations in the wider Queensland Defence Industry, QDSA seeks to increase sovereign capability through all available resources and offerings. One of these essential resources is the contribution of women in the industry. Undoubtedly, some of the finest minds in STEM and Defence are female, and…
Here we are in a brand-new year, and we have started off with a bang! This month’s recap will cover December 2021 and January 2022 because, amidst all the activity, we did manage to get a small break in over Christmas. We are very grateful for that because 2022 is shaping up to be a…
UQ Member University Profile Throughout 2022 we will continue our series of articles showcasing our QDSA Member Universities. We have partnered with seven Queensland universities to connect and grow the state’s capacity and sovereign capability for Defence research. Our member universities demonstrate unique strengths and facilities across various technology, defence and scientific research areas. Today…
On 19th November 2021, QDSA – ran a ground-breaking event that brought together industry innovators, scientists and researchers from across Australia to hear about the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise from Defence leaders and subject matter experts. Senior Specialist, Defence Research and Program Director of the Australian Program Office for Advanced Hypersonics Dr Greta…
In 2021 QDSA were pleased to offer HDR Grants to three successful recipients. Our grants are available at a rate of one per member university annually. As we begin 2022, we are looking forward to accepting a new round of submissions and recognising the efforts of talented and hardworking researchers across Queensland. This article looks at the successful 2021 submission of Lachlan Noller, who represents member university, the University of Southern Queensland, and aims…
“Innovation is taking two things that exist and putting them together in a new way.“ Tom Freston (born 1945), Co-founder of MTV Innovation was the theme for November for the QDSA team. Our tasks and engagement took us to venues and events that consistently enlightened and delighted us! As we work to connect industry, research…
2021 saw three successful recipients of QDSA HDR Grants. In this article, we look at the submission by candidate David Sutton, who represents member university, the Queensland University of Technology. David Sutton – Queensland University of TechnologyProject: Laser-Driven Micro-Fabrication in Chemical Detection Systems David and his team at QUT Research Engineering Facility Flight Ops, EPE,…
Elexon Electronics is a 100% Australian-owned and operated engineering developer specialising in the design, development and manufacture of a diverse range of high-tech electronics. The company is located in Brendale, QLD, where their headquarters house cutting-edge technical capabilities to be at the forefront of advanced manufacturing for hi-tech products in Queensland. This includes manufacturing for…
It is no secret that QDSA has had a huge first year. As we work to forge inroads that connect Queensland’s brightest minds in research and industry with government and Defence, it is vital that we travel to the regional hubs that house them. These site visits allow research facilities to showcase their capabilities so…
2021 QDSA HDR Grant Recipient James Williamson – Recently we announced the three successful 2021 recipients of QDSA HDR Grants. This article looks at the submission by candidate James Williamson, who is representing member university, the University of Queensland. James Williamson – University of Queensland Project: Neuromuscular Biomechanics Lower-limb Exoskeletons James’ and his team are…
QDSA 2021 HDR Capability Grant Recipients – QDSA is the facilitator of a wonderful opportunity for higher degree research (HDR) students across Queensland in the form of funding through capability grants. We are pleased to be able to offer one grant to an eligible candidate from each of our seven Member universities per calendar year. …
Today we begin a series of articles introducing you to our QDSA Member Universities. QDSA has partnered with seven key universities across Qld as we continue our efforts to increase Queensland’s capacity and capability for Defence research. Each of these universities has unique capabilities and strengths in different technology and scientific research areas, and we…
As the year rolls on, QDSA activity continues to gain momentum. Our team is in great demand as research institutes and organisations seek to be connected to Defence opportunities. Here is what October had in store for the team. QDSA Visit to QUT Professor Prashant Sonar at Queensland University of Technology was recently announced as…
NSSTC Safeguarding Australia Technology Challenges Australia’s National Security Science and Technology Centre (NSSTC) within Defence coordinates whole-of-Government science and technology for national security. It strives to partner widely across the community in order to improve impact, encourage alignment and reduce duplication. The NSSTC is seeking matured technology solutions from academia and industry to support its…
September proved to be yet another busy month for QDSA as momentum and interest in our organisation grows. Queensland industry and research facilities have embraced the opportunities we have connected them to and it is proving to be an exciting time across the board. First QDSA HDR Grants have been awarded for QUT and UQ…
The AUKUS trilateral security agreement recently announced between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America has shone the spotlight on Australia’s Defence capability. Many new opportunities will arise from the AUKUS agreement – not to mention the possibility of other multi and bilateral partnerships, too. Now is the perfect time for local…
DSTG is seeking individuals and groups from industry, academia, Defence and national security agencies who may be interested in applying to be part of an Information Warfare Innovation Community. This community will assist with the ongoing development, implementation and quality assurance of the research and innovation activities of the Information Warfare STaR Shot. Membership of…
Today we continue our series of articles introducing you to representatives from Queensland’s Defence industry. David represents yet another from our ever-expanding pool of diverse and talented professionals paving the way for Queenslanders. We spoke to David about his many years of experience in the industry and the exhaustive list of contributions he has made over…
Do you work in the areas of AI, robotics and autonomous systems, distributed and coordinated sensing, systems guidance, navigation and control; teaming, swarming and collaborative behaviour, advanced propulsion systems, advanced material and energetics? Your expertise could help Defence counter a new wave of emerging challenges. The Queensland Defence Science Alliance (QDSA) is calling for capability statements from…
Virtual Information Session and Q&A Details Topic: Capability Statements for Disruptive Weapons Effects (DWE) STaR Shot challenge which cover any of the following areas: Sensors and fusion Power, energy and propulsion Systems guidance, navigation and control Teaming, swarming and collaborative tactics Systems and sub-systems engineering Date: Thursday 14th October Time: 1000 to 1100 AEST Who: STaR Shot Leader Dr Nathalie Colineau…
The Queensland Defence Science Alliance’s Director, Professor Cara Wrigley, toured the University of Southern Queensland’s Hypersonic Facility along with Director of Designworks Alexander Wall. This visit was carried out as part of our exploration of the advanced materials research facilities and capabilities available in Queensland Universities, which was integral to a defence aerospace project that QDSA helped facilitate for Project Jericho and…
We are pleased to announce that there have been five (5) successful Queensland recipients in Round 2 of the Artificial Intelligence for Decision Making Initiative (AI4DM). Each recipient will receive three months funding of up to $20,000 per project. This funding, from numerous Commonwealth agencies, is administered on a state basis. Recipients could also have the chance to join a national network…
In this August recap, we share a handful of exciting funding announcements for Queensland researchers through our QDSA HDR Capability Grants and Round 2 of the Artificial Intelligence for Decision Making (AI4DM) initiative. There have also been a plethora of networking and collaboration opportunities sparked – some we can share now, others to be revealed later. Here…
Here at QDSA we often talk about the multi-disciplinary approach required to drive innovation and develop new capability for Australia’s Defence enterprise. Over the coming months we will be introducing you to representatives from Queensland’s Defence industry. We cannot wait to showcase the incredible – and diverse – industry talent spearheading Queensland’s contributions. Our goal…
From meeting with Australia’s Chief Defence Scientist, to site visits in the Darling Downs, and engaging with local government authorities, July was another busy month for the Queensland Defence Science Alliance. Meeting with Australia’s Chief Defence Scientist QDSA Director, Professor Cara Wrigley sat down with Chief Defence Scientist, Professor Monro in Canberra on July 1.…
The month of June 2021 was brimming with exciting events for the Queensland Defence Science Alliance both as attendees and hosts. Plenty of new opportunities to engage with different members of the broader Defence industry here – both here in Queensland and on the national stage. Here’s what you might have missed… QDSA Officially Launched…
Queensland Defence Science Alliance stakeholders had the pleasure of visiting the MILTECS Facility being constructed by EPE at the CSIRO site at Pullenvale in Brisbane. The QDSA team were joined by academia, industry and defence personnel on June 16 at the Brisbane site housing the first Military Test, Evaluation, Certification, and Systems Assurance (MILTECS) facility of its…
Virtual Information Session and Q&A Details Topic: Capability Statements for Safe Operation in Contaminated Environments Date: Thursday 15th July Time: 1500 to 1600 AEST Who: Dr Axel Bender, STaR Shot Leader Operating in CBRN Environments Dr Jeremy Anderson, Associate Director, QDSA How to Register? Fill out the form below and you will be sent a…
***UPDATE*** 11 August 2021. SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW CLOSED. Do you work in the areas of diagnostics, contamination containment, threat protection modelling, AI, or wearable assistive devices here in Queensland? Your expertise could help Defence counter a new wave of emerging challenges. The Queensland Defence Science Alliance (QDSA) is calling for capability statements from Queensland universities, SMEs and…
The Queensland Defence Science Alliance (QDSA) was officially launched by the Honourable Meaghan Scanlon, the Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Youth Affairs, at a breakfast event at Parliament House on June 16. Ninety guests including stakeholders from the Department of Defence, State Government, on the ground…
Updated 23 June 2021. The deadline for these HDR applications has changed. We are excited to announce that the applications will now be open year-round for the QDSA HDR Capability Grant. There will still be one successful applicant per university per calendar year, however, applications can be submitted and approved at any time during the…
The Artificial Intelligence for Decision Making Initiative (the Initiative) (Round 2) is now accepting applications. The Initiative is a collaborative project between the Office of National Intelligence (ONI) and the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), to develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) expertise and capability in areas of significant importance to the…
Australian Defence Force personnel, Defence Science Technology Group (DSTG), Trusted Autonomous Systems and key industry consultants joined forces in April for the inaugural defence design workshop hosted by the Queensland Defence Science Alliance (QDSA).