New research fund set to activate local defence innovation

A new $4.6 million defence research and development funding scheme has been launched that is designed to speed up the translation of innovative defence technology into real world capability for the Australian Defence Force. Administered by South Australia’s Defence Innovation Partnership, the Activator Fund will build on the state’s research and development strengths and the high priority innovation challenges identified by Defence. The fund will support a more rapid transition of technology developments into operational Defence capabilities, which the Defence Strategic Review identified as a priority. The first Activator project theme aligns with the undersea warfare and trusted autonomy priorities of the Defence Innovation, Science and Technology program. Up to $1.6 million will be available from the fund for the initial ‘Remote Undersea Surveillance Data Processing, Analysis and Networking’ project, with successful applicants required to provide matching co-contributions that will support larger scale research and development activities. Proposals will be sought from consortia led by South Australian universities and industry and involving Department of Defence partners, as well as other national and international partners. A workshop will be held on Tuesday 20 June 2023 for interested parties to hear about the challenges, meet potential project partners and learn about the grant application and selection process. Activator applications will open on 26 June 2023, with a closing date of 4 August 2023. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Director of Sales Graham Joss at [email protected]