QDSA HDR Capability Grant

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.

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 is open to all disciplines and provides successful candidates with the opportunity and exposure to showcase their research. This grant would suit anyone considering a career in Defence Research.

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.

During these three months the candidate will be required to translate their HDR research findings into a capability demonstrator for Defence. Successful applicants will be given an opportunity to present their outcomes to Defence in a final pitch.

• For security purposes, the student must be an Australia citizen or permanent resident
• Must be an enrolled HDR student at a QDSA member University
• Must be at a point in candidature to translate HDR findings into Defence capability
• Must provide a letter of support from their principal supervisor

By submitting an application for this grant you are confirming you:

• Will join and participate in the QDSA HDR cohort as well as present the individual capability in the final pitch to the ADF
• Can commit to the timelines and events outlined below. will engage with a Defence sponsor provided by      QDSA
• Will provide a midpoint progress report to the nominated Defence sponsor and QDSA
• Will provide a Final Report to the nominated Defence sponsor and QDSA no later than 14 days after the project concludes

• Novelty of Defence capability
• Possible future impact for Defence
• Candidature track record and academic performance
• Alignment with Defence STaR Shots, Next Generations Technologies Fund priority areas and National Security Science and Technology Priorities

• Completion of QDSA HDR Capability Grant Application Form (download via link below)
• Letter of support from your Principal Supervisor
• Applicant’s current CV

• Granting body/contracting party is the University of Queensland (UQ) as the
  administrating organisation for the Queensland Defence Science Alliance (QDSA).
• For IP information, please refer to the Grant Funding Agreement.
• Grant recipients are responsible for any other agreements that might be needed for
  the project (e.g. with collaborators). UQ will not need to be a party to the
• An eligible recipient must meet the following requirements;
  • Must be an enrolled Higher Degree by Research (HDR) student at a QDSA
    Member University;
  • Must be at a point in candidature to translate HDR findings into Defence
    capability;
  • Must provide a letter of support from their principal supervisor; and
  • Must be able to work with a Defence sponsor provided by QDSA.
• For security purposes,Eligible recipients and their supervisors must must be an Australia citizen or permanent resident;
• The grant is to have no effect on the HDR student’s rights to examination, copyright ownership etc.
• Copies of publications that come out of the work are to be provided to QDSA.
• Reasonable efforts are to be made to acknowledge QDSA support.

Thanks for your interest in the QDSA HDR Capability Grant.