NSW Defence Innovation Network, in partnership with the NSW Government and the Defence Science and Technology Group, is calling for multi-disciplinary proposals in the field of quantum science and technologies. $1.5M will be invested to build two game-changing prototypes with encapsulated quantum devices to strengthen Australia’s leadership in quantum research.
Background
NSW has distinct international leadership in the field of quantum science and technologies. Our objective with the NSW Defence Industry Quantum Research Consortium is to harness and deepen the leadership position in NSW through targeted investment in areas of overlap between our capabilities and defence interests.
The purpose of the NSW Defence Industry Quantum Research Consortium is to enable multidisciplinary teams to produce two demonstrator units with encapsulated quantum devices within a 12-24 month timeframe, to create lasting links to defence industry in the area of quantum technologies and to catalyse additional investment in R&D in NSW.
Opportunity
The aim of the NSW Defence Industry Research Consortium is to support multi-disciplinary collaborations between academic researchers and industry to leverage the quantum innovation capability across DIN member universities and accelerate the translation of quantum technologies to Defence capability.
DIN seeks to fund projects with the highest potential to be incorporated into demonstration devices (TRL 4-5 prototypes) that have a clear commercial application.
Project Proposals should be scoped only within the following themes:
- Bright source single photon emitters with applications in distributed quantum keys for secure communications.
- Nitrogen vacancy diamonds for magnetometry with specific applications in navigation or detection of small aberrations in magnetic fields, potentially for maritime deployment (e.g. persistent static sensors).
Application Process
Application form is available on request at info@defenceinnovationnetwork.com.
Researchers and defence industry interested to participate in the call, should contact DIN and register their interest to make a submission. DIN will be able to connect interested parties with other potential team members on request.
Completed proposals must be submitted electronically by 5pm, 11 March 2020 to info@defenceinnovationnetwork.com.
Eligibility
Lead partners
Project proposals must demonstrate multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional collaboration with a DIN Member University as the lead organisation. Proposals must include substantive inputs from at least four DIN member universities.
Teams may include industry and academics from other states or other research organisations.
Individuals
All project participants are restricted to citizens of the Five Eyes Alliance (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States) and NATO member countries.
Citizens of possibly allied countries not covered by the named treaties are subject to approval by the Defence Innovation Network.
Industry partners
To be eligible industry partners must have a presence in Australia, have an Australian Business Number and be registered as a company.
IP arrangements with industry partners must be of such a nature that the IP and manufacturing of any manufactured goods flowing from the project remain in Australia, more preferably in NSW.
Allied defence organisations may be eligible to participate and will be considered on a case by case basis.
Obligations
- All project participants must sign a restricted circulation Non-disclosure Agreement (NDA) that limits access to the R&D data and other Intellectual Property (IP) to the nominated team members.
- Any new team members must be approved by the Defence Innovation Network and must become signatories to the (NDA).
- Intellectual Property (IP) and manufacturing must remain in Australia unless otherwise agreed.
- All participants must assign or have assigned IP to the institution either by virtue of employment contracts or by separate agreements.
- Participants must gain a minimum of Entry Level Membership through Defence Industry Security Program (DISP) within twelve months of commencement of the project.
Selection criteria
- Vision, Ambition & Innovation- the proposal must articulate how the project will address the significant step change in translating Quantum Science and Technology, and should be ambitious and transformative.
- Leadership & Team Quality– the proposal must bring together the best team available. It should present a strong, multidisciplinary partnership of researchers (and industry partners as relevant) with the necessary skills and established track record of relevant technology research.
- National Importance– the project must demonstrate how the research will contribute to addressing key challenges and needs of Defence.
- Impact– The proposal must demonstrate who will benefit from the research and how they will benefit. Plans should be described to disseminate results (subject to any security or IP restrictions), exchange knowledge, attract further investment and build collaborations.
- Commitment of collaborators– the proposal must demonstrate strong commitment from involved parties.
Timeline
30-Jan-20 Call for Proposals- Applications open
11-Mar-20 Applications close
03-Apr-20 Expert Panel Assessment
17-Apr-20 DIN Steering Committee Approval
22-Apr-20 Successful Applicants announced
May-Jul-20 Contracting & Start of projects
More info at info@defenceinnovationnetwork.com
Download NSW Defence Industry Quantum Research Consortium-Guidelines
