Defence Science Centre: Research Higher Degree Student Grant

Grant category and funding amount is determined by enrolment. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis. 

PhD

Where the project is to be undertaken by a student in a PhD program the funding amount is $15,000 payable in two instalments:

• $10,000 on enrolment or execution of the Funding Agreement, whichever is the latter, and; 
• $5,000 on completion of the project.

Masters by Research / Coursework

Where the project is to be undertaken by a student in a Masters by Research or Masters by Coursework program, the funding amount is $10,000 payable in two instalments:

• $6,700 on enrolment or execution of the Funding Agreement, whichever is the latter, and; 
• $3,300 on completion of the project.

4th Year Engineering or Honours program

Where the project is to be undertaken by a student in the fourth year of an Engineering degree, or an Honours program, the funding amount is $7,500 payable in two instalments:

• $5,000 on enrolment or execution of the Funding Agreement, whichever is the latter, and; 
• $2,500 on completion of the project.

General

The applicant must be an academic staff member of a DSC Member University. DSC Member Universities are Curtin University, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University, or the University of Western Australia.

• The student must be enrolled in a DSC Member University. 
• The student must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• Employees of DSTG or JTSI are NOT eligible for support as students on these projects.

Topics

The research project must be aligned to the themes of the current round of the RHDSG.

These are: 

• AUKUS Pillar I 
• AUKUS Pillar II

Selection Criteria

Eligible applications will be assessed against the following selection criteria:

• Criterion 1: Project Impact. The contribution the research is expected to make to the relevant fields, including potential applications to Defence and/or the defence industry. 
• Criterion 2: Collaboration. Strength of collaboration as reflected in co-supervisors from Defence and/or industry, and opportunities for the student to undertake an industry/Defence internship as part of their study. Other identified opportunities for the student to engage with Defence and/or Defence industry may also be considered. 
• Criterion 3: Benefit to student, university and defence sector. How the grant is anticipated to benefit, such as career pathways formation of new linkages in the defence sector, and/or how this might develop the capabilities of the university.

The awarding of the grant is subject to terms of the RHDSG Grant Agreement. The terms of the RHDSG Grant Agreement are non-negotiable and will be provided to successful recipients upon notification that their application has been successful.

A signed Grant Agreement must be provided back to the DSC within 3 months of notification that the application has been successful. In the event that a signed Grant Agreement is not provided to the DSC within 3 months, the grant may be rescinded. 

Where the grant will support a student who has already commenced the project, they must be within 3 months of commencement at the time of application. 

Unless already enrolled, the student must commence within 6 months of the execution of the Grant Agreement. In the event that a suitable student has not been identified and enrolled within this period, the grant may be rescinded. 

The student must conform to the usual requirements of the enrolling university in regards to eligibility, satisfactory progress, research integrity, ethics and other related matters.

Payment of the first instalment of the grant is conditional upon enrolment of the student, or signing of the Grant Agreement by both parties, whichever is the latter. Payment of the second instalment of the grant is conditional upon receipt of the Project Completion Summary to DSC’s satisfaction. 

The reporting requirements to DSC are not intended to be overly burdensome but rather assist in facilitation collaboration between stakeholders and measuring opportunities for innovation, industry diversification and job growth benefits for Western Australia.

There are four reporting requirements, templates of which will be provided as annexes to the Grant Agreement:

• Project Protocol. No more than 30 days after Grant Agreement Execution Date.
• Interim Progress Report. Mid-point of project term.
• Project Completion Summary. Upon completion of the project term.
• Post-Grant Impact Survey. No less than 12 months post project term completion.

Method

All applications are to be made via the provided application form. Applications must be submitted to dsc@jtsi.wa.gov.au before the closing date. 

Closing date

Applications close 5:00 pm Friday 17 November 2023..

Late applications cannot be accepted.  

If you require assistance or guidance to complete this application, or support to connect with potential collaboration partners please email the team at dsc@jtsi.wa.gov.au. We will respond to your email within two working days. For urgent assistance please call DSC on (08) 6277 3000.

The DSC strongly advises that you contact your defence research university liaison for further assistance completing your application or making connections.

The contact details of the DSC-member defence research liaison are as follows:

Curtin University
Gary Hale - Chief Security Officer & Director Defence & Space Research 
Phone: 08 9266 1448
Email: defence@curtin.edu.au 

Edith Cowan University
Tony Marceddo - Director Institute for Securing Digital Futures 
Phone: 08 6304 5194
Email: defence.research@ecu.edu.au

Murdoch University
André deSouza- Senior Business Manager
Phone: 08 9360 1708
Email: andre.deSouza@murdoch.edu.au 

University of Western Australia
Caroline Chapman - Manager, Research Infrastructure and Partnerships 
Phone: 08 6488 7354 
Email: Caroline.Chapman@uwa.edu.au