Defence Science Centre grants programs

Status

The Research Higher Degree Student Grant is closed.

To review the successful applicants from previous rounds, see our Defence Science Centre funded research page.

About

The Defence Science Centre (DSC) Research Higher Degree Student Grant (RHDSG) provides funding to students working on collaborative Defence relevant projects and/or undertaking defence industry placements as part of their study. It is awarded to the primary supervisor of the student for payment by the enrolling institution as a living stipend for the student.

Nature of the Grant

The RHDSG is a mechanism to encourage students to consider the potential Defence or defence industry applications of their research, and gives students the opportunity to explore career pathways in Defence and the defence industry. The RHDSG develops research linkages among universities, Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) and defence sector businesses, supports capacity-building in research areas where Defence has an interest, and promotes new defence related research collaborations among universities.

Applications for the RHDSG are made by the student’s project supervisor. Grants can be awarded for proposed RHDSG projects where a student has not yet been identified, as well as those where a student is enrolled, subject to the conditions below.

Funding Amount

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 2 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 2 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 2 instalments:

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

Eligibility

The RHDSG is open to academic staff of DSC Member Universities.

• Round 6 of the RHDSG will fund projects that align with the themes below:
  • AUKUS Pillar I
  • AUKUS Pillar II
• Projects can be undertaken within any discipline provided alignment to a theme can be demonstrated.
• Where the grant will support a student who has already commenced on the project.
• It is preferred that they be within 3 months of commencement at the time of application.
• The primary supervisor must be employed by, and the student must be enrolled in, a DSC member university. It is desirable for the student to have at least one co-supervisor at either an industry partner, the DSTG or another university.
• The student must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
• Employees of DSTG are not eligible for support as students on these projects.

Getting Help

For further details about the RHDSG conditions, please see the Research Higher Degree Student Grant Guideline for Applicants.

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 2 working days, or for urgent assistance please call (08) 6277 3000.

A collection of Research Higher Degree Student Grant Frequently asked Questions is also available to help guide you with your application.

Submitting Your Application

All applications to the DSC are to be made via the Research Higher Degree Student Grant Application Form. Applications must be submitted to dsc@jtsi.wa.gov.au. No other way of submission will be accepted.

Applications close at 5.00pm on Monday 21 October 2024.

Administered in partnership with APR.Intern, we are making it easier for WA-based defence industry small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to access research experts and fast-track innovation.

The APR.Intern program connects research students with SMEs through short-term research placements (3 to 6 months), providing SMEs access to Australia’s brightest emerging research talent.

The value of the grant is $10,000, which is awarded to the SME to support the cost of participation in the APR.Intern program.

Combined with the current Australian Government rebate, this program brings innovative solutions to your research problems at a very modest cost.

Eligibility requirements

• You must be a WA-based SME or intern
• Your project must be for R&D relevant to our technology themes or enhance defence industry outcomes.

There is a limit of one Defence Science Centre voucher per business, per year.

For more information, contact us at dsc@jtsi.wa.gov.au

The Collaborative Research Grant is closed.

The Collaborative Research Grant (CRG) supports cross-disciplinary collaboration between researchers and industry which address Defence Innovation, Science and Technology (IS&T) priorities and contribute to ADF capability.

The CRG is one mechanism in which the DSC supports the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) and the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) to enable the research and industry sector to focus their work on the development of advanced and asymmetric capabilities in key technological areas.

The Collaborative Research Grant is co-funded through the Western Australian State Government and DSTG.

Applications for Round 7 of the Collaborative Research Grant opened on 22 September 2025 and closed at 5pm, 21 November 2025.

• Projects must include at least one academic and one industry partner.
• Individual researchers may participate in only one application.
• Late applications will not be accepted.

The DSC will provide a 4-week period for the submission of a 200–400-word abstract outlining your proposed project. This allows for immediate feedback on the novelty, viability and relevance of your proposal by DSC and DSTG technical experts. This process may enable collaboration with DSTG on your proposal.