Through its Strategic Investment Initiative, DIN will invest $500,000 to develop a cutting-edge prototype to identify, predict and respond to grey-zone challenges in the information environment, e.g. unwanted influence operations. This call is aligned to the IW STaR Shot and is open to NSW DIN member universities as lead entities. Full terms and conditions apply. Applicants should register their interest for consideration to receive the full information pack, by writing to info@
Background
The purpose of the SII is to enable multi-disciplinary research teams to produce innovative prototypes, create lasting links to the defence industry, catalyse commercialisation and additional R&D investment in NSW.
A key objective is to build capability in the State by funding collaborative research that will enable a prototype to be made within 12-24 months, suitable for a ‘demonstration’ of the new capability of the integrated system.
The Initiative is funded by the NSW Government and the Next Generation Technologies Fund.
Topic
Project proposals should be scoped only within the following topic:
- Counter Disinformation and Malign Influence
Eligibility
Lead organisation
Proposals must demonstrate multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional collaboration. Projects must be led by DIN university with substantive inputs from at minimum two DIN universities in total.
Project teams may include Australian businesses and non-DIN member university researchers.
Individual researchers
All project participants must be citizens of the Five Eyes Alliance (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States) or NATO member countries.
Citizens of countries not covered by the named treaties are subject to approval by the DIN.
Selection criteria
- Vision, Ambition & Innovation
- Leadership & Team Quality
- Impact
- The commitment of collaborators.
Application process
The application form is available on request at info@defenceinnovationnetwork.com.
Researchers and the defence industry interested in participating in the call should contact DIN to register their interest. DIN will be able to connect interested parties with other potential team members on request.
Completed proposals must be submitted electronically by 5 pm, 19 September 2022 to info@defenceinnovationnetwork.com.
Indicative Timeline
05-Aug-22 Call for Expression of Interest
19 -Sep-22 Applications close
Oct-22 Expert Panel Assessment
18-Nov-22 DIN Steering Committee Approval
23-Nov-22 Successful Applicants Announced
Dec-22 Contracting
Jan-23 Project start
