Activating South Australia’s Defence Innovation Ecosystem

The Defence Innovation Partnership, in collaboration with Defence Science and Technology Group, is proud to launch the new Activator Fund.

The Activator Fund will build on South Australia’s research and development strengths and aligns with the undersea warfare and trusted autonomy priorities of the Defence Innovation, Science and Technology program. It aims to enable more rapid transition of technology developments into operational Defence capabilities.

The first Activator Fund theme is Remote Undersea Surveillance Data Processing, Analysis and Networking. This project will advance novel approaches to support development of an undersea situational awareness picture from sensor data. The focus is on autonomous sensor processing, collaborative sensing, distributed sensor networks and mission planning.

Proposals will be sought from consortia led by South Australian universities and industry and involving Department of Defence partners and other national and international partners. Up to $1.6 million will be available from the Activator Fund for the first theme, and successful applicants will be required to provide matching co-contributions.

The objectives of this theme are:

  • Enable larger-scale research, development, and innovation activities that have benefit for the South Australian economy
  • Leverage existing South Australian R&D, innovation, and industrial strengths
  • Build new South Australian R&D, Innovation, and industrial strengths in areas of strategic interest
  • Establish partnerships with leading researchers and innovators nationally and internationally
  • Develop and apply transferable novel research to defence and adjacent sectors, by enabling more rapid transition of technology developments into operational capabilities

Expectations and key considerations for this theme are:

  • Close alignment with the challenges and scope outlined in the Briefing Documents
  • Support and involvement from Australian Department of Defence
  • Strong collaborative team delivering a larger-scale project. While there is no minimum grant amount specified, preference will be given to proposals that demonstrate ability to build scale in research and development in South Australia. It is likely that only a small number of larger projects will be funded (potentially one or two).
  • Benefit for South Australia

The Activator Fund is now closed for applications.

Fast facts and questions

Yes. While the information session is likely to be highly useful to receive background information, ask questions and engage with potential collaborators, it is not mandatory. There will be an opportunity to ask questions of key points of contact post the information session and any key insights will be made available to everyone on this portal.

The Project Team comprises a Lead Organisation and Partner Organisations.

The Lead Organisation for an Activator Fund proposal is the entity with which the Minister for Defence and Space Industries will enter into a Funding Agreement. The Lead Organisation for an Activator Fund proposal can be:

  • a South Australian public university
  • a South Australia-based business (with an ABN), either headquartered or with substantial operations in South Australia relevant to the Activator Fund theme.

Partner Organisations for an Activator Fund proposal can be:

  • Australian Government agencies, including Department of Defence
  • South Australian Government agencies
  • Australian universities
  • Publicly Funded Research Organisations
  • Australian industry – startups, SMEs and large companies
  • Overseas government, research and industry organisations

  • All organisations/companies involved in the project are likely to be required to hold a DISP membership or be willing to apply; this is mandatory if Defence IP is generated. The level of membership required will be dependent on the nature of the proposed project milestones and deliverables, and will be informed by a security assessment.
  • Unless involved in unclassified aspects of a potential project, personnel involved must hold (or be able to obtain) an appropriate security clearance commensurate with the nature of the proposed project. Note citizenship status may impact ability to obtain appropriate security clearances. Potential overseas collaborators may need to get their clearances recognised if they plan to work on parts of the projects above unclassified level.
  • Proof of citizenship or permanent residency status maybe requested.
  • Residents in Australia on a Temporary Work Visa may be approved for participation in the project in exceptional circumstances.

Applicants are asked to nominate suitable milestones and deliverables appropriate to their project aims. These will vary depending on the topic focus and the nature and length of the project. Nominated outcomes and deliverables should be at (TRL) 3 or above. It is envisaged that successful projects will develop a minimum viable product demonstrator/proof-of-concept (e.g., laboratory validation or early-stage prototype). A written report and presentation will also be a minimum requirement for project deliverables.

Ownership of intellectual property developed using the funds will be retained by the successful applicants. Project Teams are encouraged to discuss background and foreground IP arrangements early in the proposal development process.

Where there is an Australian Department of Defence contribution to a project, applicants may be required to grant a licence to the Commonwealth to use project intellectual property for Commonwealth purposes.

No. The ability to lodge Activator applications will be disabled at the submission close date/time.

No. To ensure the Activator assessment process if fair and equitable only complete applications will be considered.

One additional page of information (in addition to the information provided within the word limits of the on-line application) will be accepted. This page can be uploaded under the Supporting Documentation section at the end of the application process.

Note: The maximum page to be submitted will be one A4 page in total, with a minimum acceptable font size of 10. Anything submitted beyond this will not be considered as part of the application or assessment.

Highly likely. If the outcome of R&D activity has the potential to be classified, or if classified inputs or discussions are needed to complete the work, then all team members undertaking the Activator activity must be willing to undergo a security assessment if requested and, at a minimum, obtain a Baseline security clearance; noting that some projects may require higher level clearances, depending on the scope. Australian citizenship is a condition of eligibility for a security clearance.

Yes. Please attach any relevant correspondence as part of your application, especially if it addresses the criteria of ‘desirability’ from a potential Defence sponsor.

Yes. All participants are required to provide a declaration signed by a relevant authority to confirm that the participant contribution(s) claimed in the application will be provided if the Activator application is successful. Please ensure the document is signed by the owner of the relevant budget where the contributed funds will be attributed from.

Minimum requirements for collaboration:

  • Eligible proposals must have a minimum of one South Australian university Partner Organisation, one South Australia-based industry Partner Organisation and Australian Department of Defence involvement (ideally as a Partner Organisation).

Minimum requirements for matched funding:

  • There is a requirement for minimum 1:1 matched (cash and in-kind) funding for the funding amount that is requested from the Activator Fund ($1 Activator Fund to $1 provided by participants).
  • Matched funding from participants should comprise minimum 25% cash, and Australian Department of Defence funding can be included in this.
  • Work funded by the Activator Fund must be undertaken in South Australia. Contributions from Lead and Partner Organisations may be used to fund work outside of South Australia, but the majority of overall project effort must occur in South Australia.

The activator fund is focussed on larger-scale R&D activities and collaborations. Consequently, it is likely that only a small number of larger projects will be funded (potentially only 1 or 2). That said, the number of successful projects will depend on the quality and type of submissions.

No and it is understood that some staff and resources may be allocated to multiple proposal submissions. As it is likely that only 1 (or 2) proposals will be successful it is unlikely that resources will be double counted. However, submissions should provide sufficient detail for the assessors to understand where the same resources have been allocated to more than one proposal.

There will be a DSTG point of contact to facilitate and engage with prospective collaborators to assist with developing proposal scope and defence focus, as well as to negotiate potential DSTG contributions (cash and in-kind). This will likely mean that DSTG will be engaging with multiple potential collaborators. Given that only 1 or 2 projects are likely be successful, DSTG may choose to be involved with multiple proposal submissions, potentially including the same suggested resources with the realisation that it is highly likely only one has the prospect of success.  Prospective applicants are also encouraged to self-organise as part of collaborative teams.

It is hoped that if the initial phases of a project are successful then there is increased likelihood of additional funding being made available. Including additional unfunded milestones, will increase the responsiveness of setting up contracts extensions should additional funds become available.

Supporting Documents

Please check back to ensure you are working with the latest versions (updated 22 September 2023).

Activator Fund Guidelines

Activator Fund Eligibility and Assessment Criteria

Briefing Document – Workshop – RUS Brief 20 June 2023

Presentations – Workshop – RUS Brief 20 June 2023

Organisational Capability and Experience Matrix

Sample Smarty Grants Application Form

Participant Declaration (to be uploaded to Smarty Grants Application)

Draft Funding Agreement – SA Government Funds

Draft IP Licence Deed – Commonwealth Government