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The Department of Defence has announced 23 grants worth up to $5.7 million under the 2025 Strategic Policy Grants Program, supporting 22 organisations and researchers across Australia and internationally.
The competitive grant round invited applicants to address one of five priority policy questions or tackle themes outlined in the 2024 National Defence Strategy.
The successful proposals will focus on issues such as nuclear non-proliferation, crisis and conflict response, military readiness, national preparedness, and strengthening Australia’s deterrence capabilities.
Grant recipients include a mix of Australian universities, think tanks and international partners such as the Lowy Institute, the Australian National University, RAND Australia, La Trobe University, the University of Sydney’s United States Studies Centre, and overseas institutions including the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Observer Research Foundation America, and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
Over the next three years, grantees will deliver independent, evidence-based research, policy papers, seminars, dialogues and scenario exercises. They will also collaborate with experts both inside and outside government to provide Defence with external perspectives on Australia’s strategic policy challenges.
The Strategic Policy Grants Program is an annual initiative aimed at deepening public debate on national security, informing Defence decision making and fostering new and emerging talent in Australia’s defence policy ecosystem.
In announcing the 2025 grants, Defence emphasised that the program would strengthen domestic and international partnerships, broaden participation in strategic policy debates and ensure that research outcomes remain relevant to contemporary priorities.
Future opportunities under the program will be listed on Defence’s website and through GrantConnect.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
