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Collaborator Fund

Funding South Australian Collaborations

Commencing in 2026, the Defence Innovation Partnership’s Collaborator Fund builds on the success of the Collaborative Research Fund, providing up to $800,000 annually to support Defence-aligned research and development projects.

The Fund supports collaboration between government, universities and industry, to accelerate research, develop new capabilities and address Defence priorities.

The 2026 round will focus on two research themes developed in collaboration with Defence to ensure alignment with current capability priorities:

  • 1.1 Space-based Advanced Threat Warning
  • 1.2 Technology-Enabled Information Resilience in Complex and Contested Information Environments

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. Successful applicants will be required to provide matching co-contributions. Consortia will have the opportunity to participate in a co-design process for proposal development.

Applications for the 2026 funding round are now open until Friday 13 November 2026.

Collaborator Fund 1.1 – Space-Based Advanced Threat Warning

Challenge statement: How might Australia develop a high-fidelity space-based infrared (IR) emulation environment that accurately represents operational systems and conditions, to overcome current testing limitations and enable industry and academia to reliably develop, validate, and mature both sovereign defence capabilities and civilian applications, including algorithms, sensors, and integrated systems?

Collaborator Fund 1.2 – Technology-Enabled Information Resilience in Complex and Contested Information Environments

Challenge statement: How can Defence effectively train and develop individuals, enabled by emerging technologies, to support their information resilience and decision-making in complex and contested information environments?

Supporting Documents

Prior to completing your application, please read the following documents:

Frequently Asked Questions

Up to $800,000 in funding each year. For Collaborator Round 1 there are two research themes, with up to $400,000 available for each theme (i.e. total of $800,000 for the round).

We will generally run one round of Collaborator each year.

Collaborator 1.1 does not require a security clearance, However, 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 activity should be capable of obtaining a Baseline security clearance. Collaborator 1.2 requires all team members to have a Baseline clearance at the commencement of the project, and at least one team member from the lead organisation cleared to NV1.

Please refer to the Fund Guidelines for the assessment criteria.

Before applying for the Collaborator Fund it is recommended you read and understand these guidelines, and the sample draft South Australian Government Funding Agreement published on the Defence Innovation Partnership website.

To apply, you must complete and submit your application through the SmartyGrants online portal (link available from 30 September when applications open), including all requested information as attachments/uploads, e.g. Participant Declarations, Letters of Support.

You can view and print a copy of your submitted application on the portal for your own records.

If you need further guidance around the application process, or if you have any issues with the portal, contact us at [email protected].

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