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A partnership between the NSW Defence Innovation Network and DST has issued a challenge, seeking multidisciplinary proposals in the field of quantum science and technologies.
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The NSW Defence Innovation Network (DIN), in partnership with the NSW government and the Defence Science and Technology Group, is calling for multidisciplinary proposals in the field of quantum science and technologies.
$1.5 million will be invested to build two game-changing prototypes with encapsulated quantum devices to strengthen Australia’s leadership in quantum research.
NSW has distinct international leadership in the field of quantum science and technologies. The objective with the NSW Defence Industry Quantum Research Consortium is to harness and deepen the leadership position in NSW through targeted investment in areas of overlap between NSW capabilities and defence interests.
The purpose of the NSW Defence Industry Quantum Research Consortium is to enable multidisciplinary teams to produce two demonstrator units with encapsulated quantum devices within a 12-24 month time frame, to create lasting links to defence industry in the area of quantum technologies, and to catalyse additional investment in R&D in NSW.
Project proposals should be scoped only within the following themes:
- Bright source single photon emitters with applications in distributed quantum keys for secure communications; and
- Nitrogen vacancy diamonds for magnetometry with specific applications in navigation or detection of small aberrations in magnetic fields, potentially for maritime deployment (e.g. persistent static sensors).
Selection criteria
- Vision, ambition and innovation: the proposal must articulate how the project will address the significant step change in translating quantum science and technology, and should be ambitious and transformative.
- Leadership and team quality: the proposal must bring together the best team available. It should present a strong, multidisciplinary partnership of researchers (and industry partners as relevant) with the necessary skills and established track record of relevant technology research.
- National importance: the project must demonstrate how the research will contribute to addressing key challenges and needs of Defence.
- Impact: The proposal must demonstrate who will benefit from the research and how they will benefit. Plans should be described to disseminate results (subject to any security or IP restrictions), exchange knowledge, attract further investment and build collaborations.
- Commitment of collaborators: the proposal must demonstrate strong commitment from involved parties.
Eligibility
In order to be eligible, project proposals must demonstrate multidisciplinary and multi-institutional collaboration with a DIN member university as the lead organisation. Proposals must include substantive inputs from at least four DIN member universities.
Teams may include industry and academics from other states or other research organisations.
All project participants are restricted to citizens of the Five Eyes Alliance (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States) and NATO member countries.
NSW DIN is a university-led initiative of the NSW government and the Defence Science and Technology Group to enhance NSW defence industry capability through collaboration with government and academic research institutions.
Established in October 2017, and supported by seven leading universities, NSW DIN focuses on bringing world-class research capabilities and innovation to the defence sector.
Citizens of possibly allied countries not covered by the named treaties are subject to approval by the Defence Innovation Network. The application form is available on request at
Researchers and defence industry interested to participate in the call should contact DIN and register their interest to make a submission. DIN will be able to connect interested parties with other potential team members on request.
Completed proposals must be submitted electronically by 5pm, 11 March 2020 to
