The Queensland Defence Science Alliance (QDSA) is pleased to support research collaborations aimed at accelerating new projects through to capability in key Defence priority areas.

The QDSA Collaborative Research Grant (CRG) is a competitive program that supports collaboration between QDSA member universities (Griffith University, James Cook University, University of Queensland and Charles Darwin University), industry partners and non-member universities.

The purpose of the grant is to foster academic and Defence industry partnerships within Queensland and (with the addition of Charles Darwin University) the Northern Territory. QDSA CRG projects should demonstrate an impact to satisfy an existing or emerging Defence need and have a clear plan to mature, with additional support, into Defence capability.

QDSA will award successful recipients with funding of up to $250,000 per grant. Funding is awarded on a competitive basis, subject to prioritisation against the selection criteria and available funding.

Research Priorities

This Expression of Interest round calls for project proposals aligned with the QDSA Research Priorities and Topics, which were drawn from the 2024 National Defence Strategy, 2024 Integrated Investment Program, and wide consultation with Defence stakeholders.

The 2024 QDSA Research Priorities (numbered), Topics (lettered) and example applications (dot points) are listed below:

1. Undersea Warfare

a. Undersea surveillance and detection capabilities

  • Subsea warfare and uncrewed maritime systems optimised for persistent, long‑range defence missions in high‑risk environments including maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
  • Uncrewed surface vessels and uncrewed undersea vehicles
  • Acoustic underwater range systems, undersea warfare facilities and infrastructure

2. Cyber

a. Enhanced cyber capabilities

  • Defensive and offensive options to impose costs on malicious cyber activity in an increasingly contested cyber domain
  • Enhanced deployable defensive cyber operations capability and a comprehensive training program
  • Improve communications access for ADF forces operating in challenging environments and strengthen network security and resilience

b. Electronic warfare

  • Protect the ADF’s electronic capabilities from being interfered with and can enable the ADF to locate and disrupt a potential adversary’s electronic signals
  • Alternative position, navigation and timing capabilities

3. Amphibious capable combined‑arms land system

a. Autonomous aerial and ground systems

  • Low‑cost and expendable small uncrewed aerial systems for the amphibious capable land force that can undertake a range of operational roles, including intelligence and surveillance
  • Uncrewed ground vehicles, including integrating uncrewed systems into combat missions and support roles, in order to enhance operational effectiveness and reduce risks to personnel
  • Deployable, counter‑small uncrewed aerial systems capabilities
  • Loitering munitions to complement attack helicopters

b. Protection and lethality for ADF personnel

  • Night‑fighting and combat equipment
  • Human cognition and fatigue
  • Simulation systems for training

c. Battlefield aviation

  • Enabling rapid deployment on a wide variety of missions including land, amphibious and littoral combat, special operations. Non-combatant evacuation operations and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief
  • Advanced sensing and communication capabilities, command and control functions and crewed and uncrewed teaming capabilities
  • Enhanced situational awareness, logistic support and the ability to manoeuvre quickly and attack adversary forces
  • Support to operations including battlefield repair and crew resourcing

4. Theatre logistics

a. Logistics support

  • Logistics systems for command, control, communications, data and intelligence
  • Manufacturing of critical supplies, resilient storage, warehousing facilities and distribution networks
  • Systems that will provide timely and reliable transport, storage and distribution of fuel

b. Health capabilities

  • Deployable military healthcare capability, including the delivery of clinical and operational medical training and shelters and other deployable infrastructure
  • Health knowledge management system for garrisons, ships and deployed environments
  • Scalable and flexible chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) defence capability

5. Theatre command and control

a. Warfighting networks and strategic communications

  • Systems that can rapidly collect, sift and integrate a diverse range of information from different sources for effective command and control in complex and rapidly evolving operational situations

b. Decision advantage and intelligence

  • Improved planning and decision-making tools to provide new communications and geospatial data capabilities. This will also strengthen cyber security, resilience and interoperability

Projects that do not align to the Defence needs listed above may be considered as long as they are aimed at supporting other Defence priorities.

Key Dates

  • EOI applications open – 7 August 2024
  • 2024 QDSA CRG Briefing and Networking Event – 22 August 2024
  • EOI applications close – 16 September 2024
  • EOIs shortlisted and ranked – 4 October 2024
  • Notification of success and request for detailed applications open – 8 October 2024
  • Detailed applications close – 11 November 2024
  • Selection panel meets for final determination – week starting 18 November 2024
  • Notification of successful proposals – from 6 December 2024

Requirements

To be eligible for a QDSA Collaborative Research Grant:
  • The project must be led by a QDSA member university (Griffith University, James Cook University, the University of Queensland or Charles Darwin University)
  • The project must be a collaboration with one or more of the following:
    • Australian industry partner holding an Australian Business Number (ABN), preferably headquartered in Queensland or with business units based in Queensland; or
    • Additional Australian university, which may be based in Queensland or another State or Territory.
  • The CRG project should have reached Technology Readiness level 3 (proof-of-concept) to be considered and, with additional support, define a clear pathway through to TRL 6 to 7 (prototype stage).
  • The intent is to support the technology up to a readiness level appropriate for further development into a capability by a larger party (Federal funding scheme/Defence prime). Therefore, the project must have a clear plan for transition to capability beyond the 12-month project.
  • As a condition of the funding arrangements, the participants in a project must be Australian citizens or permanent Australian residents.
  • It is desirable that eligible applications will also have co-investment from a Defence industry partner or QDSA member university.

Note: Successful projects that have made significant progress toward Defence acquisition may be considered for subsequent funding opportunities at the conclusion of the contract (not associated with this selection process).

Application Stages

Grants will be administered across two stages as follows:

Stage 1 – Call for Expressions of Interest (CLOSED)

A two-page brief is to be submitted outlining:
  • Lead Institution and Lead Researcher
  • Project Title
  • Project Description – A brief description of the project of no more than 150 words. It should outline the research focus and how it will relate to developing Defence needs.
  • Project Area Alignment and impact for Defence – Alignment with the priorities and topics as listed in above.
  • Collaboration – Details of any other university staff on the research team, including QDSA member universities, other universities, industry partners and any engagement of support from Defence.
  • Funding Requested – An approximate figure is required at this stage.
  • Co-investment, if any, from a Defence Industry partner or QDSA member university

Stage 2 – Request for Detailed Proposal

A detailed proposal for the project is to be submitted. The proposal should include as a minimum:
  • Lead Institution and Lead Researcher
  • Project Title
  • Funding Requested
  • Project Description – A detailed description of the project of no more than 1000 words. The description should nominally include: Project Overview; Background (including lead-up/foundational work by the same team); Aims or Objectives the project will deliver; Expected Results and likely benefits; Prospective Follow-on Work
  • Project Area Alignment and impact for Defence – Alignment with the priorities and topics as listed in above.
  • Collaboration – Details of any planned collaboration on the project should be listed. The unique roles and responsibilities that each team member brings to the project should be clearly articulated. Where possible written endorsement from partners should be provided affirming their commitment to the Project.
  • Impact for Defence – Explain how the project enhances ADF operational capability, secures strategic advantage, growth of sovereign industry capability, or economic development for Queensland. Summarise the Defence capability design, benefits and what the pathway to implementation would be.
  • Project Feasibility – Including project timeline with milestones/outputs, budget breakdown and justification, and approvals required.
  • Intellectual Property (IP) Arrangements – Description of the planned IP arrangements that all project parties have agreed to in relation to ownership, licencing and potential future commercialisation opportunities of all Background and Project IP.
  • Co-investment – including in-kind and other contributions.
How to submit

Conditions

By submitting an application for this grant, you are confirming you accept the following conditions and requirements:
  • you agree to the terms and conditions outlined in the attached funding agreement
  • the project timeline is to be confirmed with QDSA and Project Lead/Chief Investigator prior to commencement
  • a one-page update is to be provided to QDSA per three-month block (or as agreed)
  • a final presentation/ demonstration showcasing the project outcomes is to be provided to QDSA upon project completion
  • a final project report is to be provided to QDSA with 21 days of the project conclusion

Clarification

Further clarifications relating to QDSA Collaborative Research Grant Stage 1 call for Expressions of Interest or Stage 2 Detailed Proposals should be directed to info@qdsa.au

Submission

Submission of Stage 1 Expressions of Interest closed at 5pm AEST 16 September 2024.

Submission of Stage 2 Detailed Proposals will open 8 October 2024 and close 5pm AEST 11 November 2024 via info@qdsa.au.

Download the full guidelines (PDF)

Assessment

All applications will be competitively assessed by the Selection Panel, nominated by the QDSA Governance Board, based on the following selection criteria:

  1. Alignment with the priority areas listed above
  2. Collaboration
  3. Impact for Defence
  4. Project feasibility
  5. Co-investment

Thanks for your interest in the QDSA Collaborative Research Grant.