Strategic policy grant program opens

Defence is continuing to support original, independent research and public policy engagement with the opening of the 2023 Strategic Policy Grants Program (SPGP) round. The SPGP, now in its fifth year, broadens public debate, strengthens Defence’s partnerships, and informs Defence’s strategic policy advice by funding independent projects focused on strategic issues relevant to Australia. First Assistant Secretary Strategic Policy, Dr Peter Sawczak, said Defence anticipates that the program would award up to $3.5 million in total grant funding in 2023 across successful applications. “The Strategic Policy Grants Program adds real value to Australia’s defence policy debate, allowing Defence to source fresh thinking on priority topics,” Sawczak said. “The program aims to fund a diverse range of perspectives, including from new, emerging, and established defence and national security experts. If you can offer valuable insights into Australia’s future defence and security needs, we strongly encourage you to apply.” Applications that directly align with Defence’s current priority policy topics are invited, including on strategic competition, particularly in the Indo-Pacific; expanding capabilities and technologies in the information, cyber and space domains; and threats to human security and state fragility in Australia’s immediate region, such as climate change and pandemics. Applications should focus on aspects of the priority policy topics likely to be relevant to Defence over the next five to ten years. For a complete list of the priority policy topics and application information, please visit www.defence.gov.au/programs-initiatives/strategic-policy-grants-program or GrantConnect at www.grants.gov.au/. Applications for the 2023 SPGP opened on 20 July 2022 and will close on 31 August 2022. Successful applicants will be advised in April 2023.   For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Director of Sales Graham Joss at [email protected]