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South Australia is moving to sharpen its edge in the global defence and technology race, with the state government announcing a $6 million program designed to attract leading international researchers to Adelaide.
Unveiled under the Research and Innovation Fund (RIF), the new South Australian Global Researcher Attraction Program will bankroll up to four fellowships over the next four years. The initiative is aimed squarely at priority industries critical to the state’s economic and security future – with defence and national security, including nuclear engineering and cyber security, sitting high on the list.
Other target sectors include advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, climate adaptation, green energy, digital health and critical technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics and quantum.
Public universities and research institutes across South Australia are being invited to nominate world-class candidates, submit detailed business cases and co-fund the fellowships on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Successful fellows will deliver three-year projects based primarily in South Australia, developing expertise, training the next generation of skilled workers, and translating their findings into commercial products, processes and services.
Funding can be used for local hires, stipends for research students, specialist equipment and protection of intellectual property – with applications assessed on a rolling basis by an independent panel chaired by South Australia’s chief scientist, Professor Craig Simmons.
Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Dr Susan Close, said the program was about building sovereign capability in areas essential to both industry and defence.
“Greater investment in industry-aligned research is key to keeping South Australian businesses globally competitive,” Minister Close said. “While we have exceptional homegrown talent, there are strategic fields where our economy and security would benefit from fresh expertise. This program empowers our universities and institutes to bring in the knowledge we need to stay at the forefront of innovation.”
Professor Simmons said the initiative would help position South Australia as a destination of choice for elite scientists and engineers.
“Researchers move across borders to find new opportunities and collaborations,” he said. “This program helps put South Australia on the map as a hub for world-class defence, science and technology research. It will also give local STEMM students the chance to work alongside leading international experts on cutting-edge projects.”
President of the Australian Academy of Science, Professor Chennupati Jagadish, said the move comes at a critical time as nations compete fiercely for scientific and technological expertise.
“Science knows no borders, but there is a global race for talent,” Jagadish said. “The South Australian Global Researcher Attraction Program complements the academy’s national efforts and creates pathways for stellar researchers to make Australia home. These people will help shape discoveries and build a stronger future for all of us.”
With AUKUS commitments and the state’s growing role in submarine, shipbuilding and advanced systems programs, industry figures say the fellowships could play a direct role in bolstering sovereign capability, plugging workforce gaps and ensuring local industry remains competitive on the international stage.
