SA Premier Steven Marshall said that this funding provides the opportunity to develop groundbreaking defence capabilities and cement South Australia’s position as the defence state.   

"These projects will see researchers from South Australia’s world-class universities collaborate with defence industry leaders from around the globe to solve some of Defence’s complex technological challenges," the Premier explained. 

The five projects funded as part of the Defence Innovation Partnership grant are: 

• $150,000 for human-machine interfaces for detecting, monitoring and managing psychological stress, led by the University of Adelaide with partners the University of South Australia, Flinders University, ElectroAutoMedics and Defence Science and Technology (DST).
• $94,700 for identifying combat and combat-related stigma through the language of a deployed Australian military population, led by the University of South Australia with partners the University of Adelaide, DST, and the Road Home.
• $150,000 for AI enabling Australia’s Future Submarine, led by Acacia Systems with partners the University of Adelaide, Flinders University, DST and Lockheed Martin.
• $150,000 for Miniaturised Orbital Electronic Warfare Sensor System (MOESS) - Phase 1, led by DEWC Systems with partners DST, Flinders University, the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia.
• $150,000 for engineering, design and lab-based testing of Vehicle Health Usage Monitoring System (VHUMS) for defence vehicles, led by Dynamic Engineering Solution with partners DST, the University of Adelaide, University of South Australia and Flinders University.

"We are extremely pleased by the robust collaborations we have seen through the Collaborative Research Fund program. As part of our charter, the Defence Innovation Partnership will work with all applicants to find pathways to continue their research and development," chair of the Defence Innovation Partnership advisory board Kim Scott said.   

The Defence Innovation Partnership is a catalyst for Defence-relevant research and development in South Australia. It fosters collaboration and engagement between Defence SA, DST, the University of Adelaide, Flinders University, the University of South Australia and other research organisations and industry.

The Defence Innovation Partnership helps deliver innovative technologies and research and development solutions to Defence in four main ways:

• Creating connections between researchers, industry and Defence;
• Fostering Defence-relevant collaborations through the Collaborative Research Grants program;
• Attracting research and development funding to SA; and
• Supporting the translation of defence and national security research and development.

"Defence research and development is a key priority for South Australia’s broader defence strategy and is critical to ensure that we maximise the full extent of the Commonwealth government’s $90 billion naval shipbuilding commitment," Premier Marshall said.  

VIEW ALL

More information, including how to apply for Defence Innovation Partnership funding, is available here. 

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.