Defence Trailblazer accelerates industrial priorities

Defence’s technology solutions development programme, the Defence Trailblazer has launched a new $12 million grant scheme to accelerate the development of defence industry capabilities.

Defence Trailblazer’s new Accelerating Sovereign Industrial Capabilities (ASIC) grant programme will fast-track the translation of defence R&D into industry capabilities.

Executive Director Dr Sanjay Mazumdar said: “The Defence Industry Development Strategy states that developing the sovereign defence industrial base Australia needs to meet our strategic circumstances requires targeted industrial development in areas of strategic priority.

“The ASIC programme aims to enable faster commercialisation of larger scale defence R&D activities and collaborations aligned to the new strategic priority capabilities Defence requires.”

Project proposals will be sought by industry based in Australia, and involving at least one Defence Trailblazer research university – the University of Adelaide and/or UNSW.

New industry partners are encouraged, but existing partners can also apply, with collaborative projects involving one or more industry partners also encouraged.

Up to $12 million in funding will be available, with successful applicants required to provide matching cash co-contributions.

Preference will be given to proposals that demonstrate ability to build scale in R&D with a stronger weighting given towards small-medium enterprise (SME) led and multi-party project proposals.

The Defence Trailblazer is a collaborative partnership between the University of Adelaide and UNSW, supported by the Australian Government’s Department of Education, and 50 industry partners,

Picture: Defence/quantum industry – Diraq