The NSW Defence Innovation Network and Defence’s Next Generation Technologies Fund have both announced grant funding to accelerate the rate of technological uptake.
Grants of up to $50,000 are up for grabs to provide seed funding for NSW SMEs to help develop early stage defence technologies, whilst funding of up to $650,000 is being provided by the Next Generation Technologies Fund for the cyber research program.
“The NSW Government established the Defence Innovation Network (DIN) last year with a $1.25 million investment to bring together leading scientists and engineers from seven of the state’s public universities to focus on areas crucial to Australia’s defence needs,” NSW Defence Advocate Air Marshal (Retd) John Harvey said.
“The $50,000 grants being offered are a fantastic opportunity for NSW SMEs to harness the world-class research skills within our university system to help bring their technology concepts to reality for the benefit of Defence.”
The NSW DIN grants are being offered on a competitive basis and require a commitment of matching funds from applying SMEs. Successful SMEs receiving grants will be matched with university teams that can offer the best expertise and capacity to deliver projects.
AIRMSHL Harvey said technology areas considered to have the greatest potential for defence innovation are being targeted.
“These include cutting edge areas for defence like trusted autonomous systems, quantum technologies, hypersonics and medical countermeasures.”
The announcement follows a separate call from Defence inviting research proposals from industry and universities to enhance the cyber capabilities of the ADF.
Initial proposals will be funded for 12 months with the option of future funding for promising projects.
According to Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne, Australia must respond urgently to cyber threats which are becoming widespread and persistent.
“Malicious cyber activity costs Australian business and families over $1 billion every year, and malicious cyber activity from state and non-state actors is a threat to Australia’s national security,” Minister Pyne said.
“The government encourages Australia’s scientists and researchers to contribute to the development of cyber capabilities, which is a priority for national security.
“We want academia and industry to collaborate with Defence Science and Technology, and CSIRO’s digital research network, Data61, to deliver technology developments and demonstrator systems within three to five years.
“It is critical that Australia develops a sovereign capability to protect our nation.”
The deadline for NSW DIN grant applications is 6 August, with more information available here. The deadline for Next Generation Tech Fund grant applications is 15 August, with more information available here.