Artificial Intelligence for Decision Making Initiative

The Artificial Intelligence for Decision Making Initiative is now accepting applications.

The Initiative is a collaborative project between the Office of National Intelligence (ONI) and the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), to develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) expertise and capability in areas of significant importance to the Australian defence and national security community.

Individuals are invited to apply their skills and expertise to solve one of 10 AI and ML research and development related challenges.

Successful applicants will be provided with three-month funding of up to $20,000 per project and could also have the opportunity to be part of a national network focused on developing AI and ML technology. There is also the opportunity for project prototypes to be considered for progression through the Defence Artificial Intelligence Centre (DAIC), or defence and university sectors.

The Initiative is being delivered on a national basis through the university defence state-based networks Defence Science Centre, Defence Science Institute, Defence Innovation Network, Defence Innovation Partnership and Queensland Defence Science Alliance.

The Challenge topics are:

1. Multi-Modal Narrative Extraction
2. Reasoning with Uncertainty in Temporal Knowledge
3. Effective updating of deep learning models with limited new data
4. Understanding Linguistic Feature Encoding in Transformers
5. Word search over Wav2vec 2.0 neural representation
6. AI Enabled Portfolio Design for Defence Capability Investment Projects
7. Automatic parsing & annotation of semi-structured documents
8. Goal-based agent learning and reasoning in uncertain environments
9. Decision making in uncertain, dynamic and complex information environments
10. Strategy formulation in open adversarial environments

The Challenge Statements can be found here:  AI4DM Round Two challenge statements

Project Requirements

Funded projects will demonstrate prototype solutions, in the form of a software tool or related product that demonstrates the solution(s) to the chosen Challenge.

Applicants must also provide project reports that detail the approach to the Challenge and an overview of the solution, to enable assessment of project performance.

The maximum funding amount is $20,000 per project.

The length of projects must be three months and must be completed by the end of February 2022.

The intent of the Initiative is to fund individuals employed by Australian universities or companies to undertake separate projects. However small team-based proposals may be considered, subject to available funding. Funding for team-based proposals is restricted to the same arrangements for an individual.

Individuals may submit applications to as many Challenges as they wish, however only one project will be funded per applicant, and each project must be discrete and stand alone from others.

A licence to use the intellectual property developed as part of project must be provided to the grant sponsor via IP Licence Deed. This licence will be for Commonwealth Use purposes only.

Applications will be assessed by a Panel consisted of experts from DSTG and ONI.

Conditions of Funding

The Initiative is only open to Australian citizens and permanent residents who reside in Australia. Proof of citizenship or permanent residency status must be provided if requested.

Funds can be used for direct costs associated with the project, including salary and salary oncosts. Due to the small funding amount and desire to support capability the funds cannot be used for the recovery of indirect overheads.

Only personnel listed on the application can be involved in the project or supported by the funds.

Eligibility

Applications will be accepted from small teams or individuals who meet eligibility requirements.

The Initiative is open to Australian citizens or permanent residents who reside in Australia who are:

Currently employed or enrolled applicants should apply via their institution.

There may be a requirement for identification, police and other background checks prior to the commencement of the project.

Project Outcomes and Deliverables

The aim of the Initiative is to fund short pilots to identify and propose a novel, prototype and nascent solutions and approaches to the designated Challenges.

Specific deliverables will be discussed with successful applications.

Criteria

The following criteria will be used to assess proposals:

Intellectual Property

Ownership of intellectual property developed using the grant funds will be retained by the successful applicants. All successful applicants will be required to grant a licence to the Commonwealth to use project intellectual property for Commonwealth purposes via an IP Licence Deed.

Submitting your Application

Applications will only be accepted via the Initiative’s Application Form

Contract arrangements

This program brings together funding sourced from multiple Commonwealth agencies and is administered on a state basis. Recipients will be required to enter into an agreement with their local defence science facilitation network as listed below. This means a variety of agreements will be used for successful applicants, dependent on their location, the original source of funds and the organisational nature of the applicant. Core principles and requirements are common across the agreements.

Anticipated Timeline

The Initiative will have a continuous assessment process, with only up to 50 outstanding applications funded.

10 May 2021- Call for applications open
7 June 2021- Call for applications close
June- July 2021- Review of the applications
July 2021- Announcement of the results
August- September 2021- Contracting
October 2021- Project start
28 February 2022- Project end
31 March 2022- Reporting

Getting help

Refer to our Frequently Asked Questions.

If you require other assistance or guidance to complete the application form please email info@defenceinnovationnetwork.com. We will respond to your email within two working days.