Western Australia’s Defence and Research Teaming (DaRT) grant is now open, offering up to $200,000 for bold research ideas that tackle real-world challenges in the defence sector. Administered by Defence West’s Defence Science Centre, the DaRT grant supports collaboration between research institutes and industry to explore concepts that address emerging defence sector needs early in the defence capability lifecycle.
The 2025 DaRT grant round is open to participants of Exercise Western Dawn 2025 – an adjacent defence-innovation program run by the Australian Army and Curtin University, that connects multidisciplinary teams from Defence, government, academia, and industry to explore solutions to modern defence problems.
Successful applicants of the highly competitive DaRT grant will be able to expand and refine their pitches made at Exercise Western Dawn to stimulate capabilities and to bring ideas to fruition. DaRT applications will be assessed by an independent panel on novelty, feasibility, value for money, effect, and collaboration.
Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia said: “We are working to grow WA’s defence sector to become the second largest industry with the goal of creating more jobs and diversifying our economy beyond the cyclical nature of the resources industry. The DaRT intiative helps de-risk new defence technologies, mature innovative concepts, and support sovereign capability development – all of which contribute to WA’s long-term economic resilience. By backing early ideas, we are giving the defence sector the opportunity to reach its full potential.”
New AUKUS fund to create jobs and grow WA’s defence sector
The Western Australia government is supporting Western Australia’s world-class defence businesses to enter AUKUS supply chains through the launch of the AUKUS SME Readiness Fund. The $2 million for small and medium enterprises will be delivered over four years and target immediate opportunities for WA defence industry businesses to compete in the US and UK supply chains. Local businesses can qualify for supply chain entry with grants of up to 50 per cent of their total costs, up to a maximum of $100,000.
The fund will help ensure WA’s economy remains the strongest in nation and is part of the plan to make more things here and create local jobs. Through recent ministerial missions to the US and UK, strong ties have been forged with governments and key industry partners driving their nuclear submarine projects.
In addition to the AUKUS SME Readiness Fund, the Cook Government will also open the fourth round of its Defence Ready Initiative, a well-established grant program that has assisted close to 50 local small and medium businesses to improve their capabilities and enter defence supply chains around the world.
Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia said: “WA’s defence industry is set to be the State’s next economic powerhouse providing a buffer to the cyclical nature of the resources sector. The AUKUS SME Readiness Fund will open doors to opportunities for WA businesses and help grow the sector. By making more things in WA, we create more local jobs and diversify our economy.”
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