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In its fifth year of operation, the Collaborative Research Grant (CRG) has allocated AU$ 900,000 to six innovative projects, reflecting the program’s commitment to fostering collaboration and innovation in defence research.
Among the funded initiatives are groundbreaking projects such as an underwater messaging system, three-dimensional environmental mapping technology, and on-site monitoring of copper concentrations. The CRG, administered by the Defence Science Centre (DSC), received a total of 16 applications for this funding cycle, with six projects emerging as recipients of grants up to AU$150,000 each.
The selection process for the grant awards involves a rigorous assessment of projects based on criteria such as collaboration potential, feasibility, and anticipated impact. This year’s top-ranked projects, with three identified as relevant to AUKUS-related technologies, underscore the program’s commitment to advancing cutting-edge solutions for defence and national security.
One noteworthy project that secured funding aims to develop on-site electrochemical monitoring of copper concentrations in effluent from cleaning navy vessels. Led by Edith Cowan University (ECU) in collaboration with CleanSubSea and B3 Electronic Design, this initiative received AU$150,000 in support. The importance of this research lies in its potential to enhance environmental monitoring and sustainability efforts within naval operations.
The University of Western Australia (UWA) secured funding for a project focused on a novel in-plane micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) optical switching architecture tailored for defence applications. Partnering with L3Harris, this AU$150,000 grant underscores the program’s commitment to advancing technologies with direct relevance to defence needs.
Curtin University’s project, “Scalable Sensor Fusion for 3D Environmental Mapping,” in collaboration with CMW Geosciences, received AU$150,000 in funding. The initiative aligns with the broader goal of developing advanced technologies to map and understand complex three-dimensional environments, providing valuable insights for defence applications.
Another endeavour is the development of a reliable underwater messaging system, led by ECU in collaboration with M&R Solutions, which received AU$150,000 in funding. Such technology is critical for enhancing communication capabilities in underwater environments, presenting potential applications in defence and security operations.
In response to the growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI) in defence, an industry-led project titled “Humans in/on/out of the Loop: Making AI Decisions Human Understandable in High-Performance Situations Involving Autonomous Aerial Vehicles (DecAI)” secured funding of AU$150,000. This initiative, led by UX Machines in collaboration with UWA and Murdoch, addresses the crucial aspect of ensuring the transparency and understandability of AI decision-making processes in high-stakes situations.
The final project awarded funding is titled “Empowering the open-source intelligence (OSINT) analyst through explainable models,” led by UWA in collaboration with PHASE, receiving AU$150,000. This project aims to enhance the capabilities of open-source intelligence analysts through the development of explainable models, aligning with the broader goal of strengthening intelligence processes.
Veterans Issues Minister Paul Papalia expressed his enthusiasm for the ongoing success of the CRG, emphasizing its role in de-risking new research and maturing innovative concepts developed by Western Australians. With the AUKUS partnership in effect, he highlighted the exciting opportunities for WA defence researchers reflected in this year’s grant recipients. The grants are made possible through funding administered via the Defence Science Centre, a collaborative initiative co-funded by the State of Western Australia and the Commonwealth Government.
Since its inception in 2019, the CRG has provided over AU$4 million in support of defence research projects in Western Australia. The program stands as one of the initiatives delivered by the Defence Science Centre, playing a crucial role in fostering collaboration between defence, academia, and industry within the region. The full list of research projects supported by the DSC can be found on the official government website.
The Collaborative Research Grant continues to be a catalyst for driving innovation in defence research, supporting projects that have the potential to shape the future of defence technologies and contribute to national security.
As Western Australia remains at the forefront of these advancements, the CRG stands as a testament to the successful collaboration between the government, academic institutions, and industry partners in pushing the boundaries of technological innovation for defence purposes.
