The NSW government-backed Defence Innovation Network (DIN) is offering matched grants of up to $50,000 to help companies turn smart concepts into reality and deliver 21st century solutions for the ADF.
NSW Defence Advocate Air Marshal (Retd) John Harvey said up to eight projects will be supported from a grant pool of $400,000 on offer this year for DIN Seed Projects.
“This is a great chance for innovative companies to take their defence-related concepts to the next level,” AIRMSHL Harvey said.
DIN Seed Project Grants provide companies with matched funding to accelerate development of early-stage technology concepts in priority defence areas including space capabilities, quantum technologies, autonomous systems, hypersonics and cyber security.
“Through the Defence Innovation Network, participating companies will get access to some of the best minds in the business from across seven NSW universities,” AIRMSHL Harvey said.
The DIN is a NSW Government-led initiative supported by $5 million in funding and focused on bringing world-class research capabilities and innovation to the defence sector.
“The DIN is connecting the strength and smarts of our industry, with the strength and smarts of our academia to ensure we remain the premier defence R&D state,” AIRMSHL Harvey said. “In 2017-18 the DIN provided a grant pool of $285,000 for seven industry-led Seed Projects and for the current financial year there’s a $400,000 grant pool available for eight projects.
“Connecting the world-class scientific research and testing capabilities of NSW universities with innovative small and medium sized companies will help advance ideas from concept to completion much faster.”
Applications for funding close on 31 May and grant offers will be made in July 2019. Projects are scheduled to commence by 5 August and are required to be delivered within 6-8 months.