The Australian Government has announced the Defence Strategic Policy Research Program to support the country's strategic policy sector.
Representing an investment of $59 million over five years, the Program will provide new, emerging and existing strategic policy institutions with long-term funding to undertake national security-related research activities.
In 2024, the Government commissioned the Independent Review of Commonwealth Funding for Strategic Policy Work, which recommended that Defence create an open competitive five-year funding cycle for strategic policy research priorities.
This announcement will deliver on this recommendation by replacing Defence’s existing grants model with one which will provide the strategic policy sector with a long-term funding pipeline.
Applicants should consider the 2026-27 Government national security research priorities, released by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet on 11 June, as well as how their research program addresses the priorities outlined in the 2026 National Defence Strategy (NDS).
Applications for the program will close at 5:00PM AEST on 23 September 2026. For more information on how to apply, applicants should visit Business.gov.au or GrantConnect.