DIN Pilot Project funding scheme is an annual, competitive program that supports cross-discipline university collaboration in New South Wales and ACT.

The key objective of the DIN Pilot Projects is to conduct a rapid feasibility study on new ideas for Defence and develop these ideas into concepts or technology that can attract further investment from the government or industry. In addition, Pilot Projects should demonstrate high potential to satisfy an existing or emerging Defence capability need or an existing or emerging industry need.

Topics

Problem statements, which serve as a basis for a call-out for proposals, are sourced from Defence.

Problem Statements:

• Fluorine-free repellency options for CBRN protective garments
• Mitigating denial of service vulnerabilities in machine learning algorithms
• Remote environmental sensing of marine ecosystems using undersea and above-water platforms

Selection process

• Sandpit Workshop (14 March 2024)

DIN Sandpit Workshop brings together researchers, Defence and industry to identify essential defence problems. During workshops, research problems are discussed and refined by the audience. This allows attendees to better understand the  need and create new collaborations with like-minded people.

Problem statements from these events form the basis of the call for proposals.

• Application

Proposals should be submitted to info@defenceinnovationnetwork.com by 17 May 2024.

All applicants are expected to communicate with their DIN university coordinator and the problem originator to ensure clarity of the project objectives. DIN can make these introductions on request. Applicants must also submit support letters from their universities as a part of their application.

• Assessment

The DIN Technical Review Panel will assess all complete applications on a competitive basis relative to the criteria outlined in the guidelines.

Anticipated timeline

• 08- Apr-24   Call for Proposals
• 17-May-24   Applications due
•       Jun-24    Technical Review Panel Assessment
•       Jun-24    Result announcement
• Jul-Sep-24    Contracting
• 01-Oct-24     Project Start

Documents

01_DIN Pilot Project- Guidelines
02_ DIN Pilot Project-Application Form