- Defence Science Centre awards six grants
totalling $900,000 to WA researchers
- The funds are part of the annual Collaborative
Research Grant
- Funding is a co-contribution between the Cook
Government, Defence Science and Technology Group and Next Generation Technology
Fund
An underwater messaging
system, three dimensional environmental mapping technology and on-site
monitoring of copper concentrations are some of the projects funded by the Collaborative
Research Grant (CRG).
The CRG, now in its fifth
year, received 16 applications for this round of grants with six being
successful and sharing in $900,000.
Of the top six ranked
projects, three were identified as being related to potential use in AUKUS
related technologies.
Applicants are able to
apply for grants up to $150,000 and projects are assessed against criteria for
collaboration, feasibility and impact.
Last year saw CRG funds
used to build a successful prototype of an unmanned robot which can be
controlled by hand gestures via Virtual Reality glasses.
Since 2019 the program
has provided over $4 million to support defence research projects in Western Australia.
The CRG is one of the
initiatives delivered by the Defence Science Centre (DSC) which aims to facilitate
increased collaboration between Defence, academia and industry within WA, in
providing innovative solutions for Defence and national security.
The full list of research
supported by the DSC can be found at: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-jobs-tourism-science-and-innovation/defence-science-centre-funded-research
Comments attributed to Veterans Issues Minister Paul Papalia:
"The Collaborative
Research Grant continues to assist in de-risking new research and maturing
innovative concepts being developed by Western Australians.
"With the AUKUS
partnership in effect, now is a very exciting time for WA defence researchers,
as is reflected in the projects chosen for this year's grants.
"These grants are made
possible through funding administered via the Defence Science Centre, an initiative
co-funded by the State of Western Australia and the Commonwealth Government."
