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The NSW government-backed Defence Innovation Network (DIN) is offering matched grants of up to $50,000 to help companies turn smart concepts into reality and deliver 21st century solutions for the Australian Defence Force.
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DIN is calling for proposals from small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) to work with university partners to accelerate the development of early-stage technology concepts that can bring innovative solutions to Defence. Up to $50,000 in matched funding will be available to the business to work with NSW universities.
NSW Defence Advocate Air Marshal (Ret'd) John Harvey AM said up to eight projects will be supported from a grant pool of $400,000 on offer this year for DIN Seed Projects.
"This is a great chance for innovative companies to take their defence-related concepts to the next level," Harvey said.
DIN Seed Project Grants provide companies with matched funding to accelerate development of early-stage technology concepts in priority defence areas including space capabilities, quantum technologies, autonomous systems, hypersonics and cyber security.
"Through the Defence Innovation Network, participating companies will get access to some of the best minds in the business from across seven NSW universities," Harvey said.
The DIN is a NSW government-led initiative supported by $5 million in funding and focused on bringing world-class research capabilities and innovation to the defence sector.
The DIN invests in high quality research that will deliver outcomes for the Australian defence sector. The DIN will provide matching funds for Seed Projects proposed by SMEs that involve collaborative research excellence with a partner university.
Seed Projects should demonstrate clear impact to satisfy an existing or emerging defence industry need. DIN Seed Projects must be led by a Defence SME. Proposals for Seed Funding should be co-developed by industry and DIN university members, with the Defence SME as lead applicant.
"The DIN is connecting the strength and smarts of our industry, with the strength and smarts of our academia to ensure we remain the premier defence R&D state," Harvey said.
To be successful, industry proposals for Seed Projects must meet the DIN’s selection criteria below. Areas deemed to have the greatest potential for defence innovation fall into the Next Generation Technologies Fund portfolio:
- Identified need in Defence (technology or capability);
- Novelty and potential to become world leading;
- Technical/scientific merits, scientific and technical risk, best collaborative team;
- Potential for impact and implementation pathway; and
- Capacity and capability of the SME to commercialise project IP.
"In 2017-18, the DIN provided a grant pool of $285,000 for seven industry-led Seed Projects and for the current financial year there’s a $400,000 grant pool available for eight projects," Harvey added.
"Connecting the world-class scientific research and testing capabilities of NSW universities with innovative small and medium-sized companies will help advance ideas from concept to completion much faster."
The purpose of the DIN Seed Projects is to grow defence industry capability within NSW. DIN support for Seed Projects is based on a co-investment model, where funding of up to $50,000 per project will be made available on a competitive basis and will require a commitment of matching funds from the industry partner.
Applications for funding close on 31 May and grant offers will be made in July 2019. Projects are scheduled to commence by 5 August and are required to be delivered within six to eight months.
Proposals should be submitted to
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.
