Defence and Research Teaming (DaRT) Grant Program

Purpose and Program Overview

The Defence and Research Teaming (DaRT) Grant Program is a Western Australian Government initiative. It is delivered through the Defence Science Centre (DSC). The program’s intent is to build collaboration between defence personnel, academia, and industry.

DaRT seeks to address real-world challenges in the defence sector. Its core objectives include generating ideas for emerging defence needs and de-risking new technologies. This directly supports the development of sovereign capability.

The grant provides financial backing for successful design solutions. This stimulates innovation within the Western Australian defence ecosystem. The total funding pool for the program is not stated.

Key Grant Details

• Grant Amount: Funding ranges from $20,000 to $200,000 per grant.
• Application Dates: The provided information does not include application open or close dates. The program is currently active.
• Eligible Entities: Teams involving defence personnel, academics, researchers, and industry professionals.
• Co-contributions: The guidelines do not state a required co-contribution.
• Location Applicability: Applicants must be based in Western Australia.

Priority Sectors

The program explicitly targets the defence sector in Western Australia.

Priority is placed on:

• Innovative solutions to specific problem statements released by the program. Past themes have included “Stealth and Adaptive Defence” and “Naval Prowess.”
• Projects that generate ideas to address emerging defence sector needs.
• Concepts that de-risk new defence technologies and mature innovative concepts.

Funding Scope

The DaRT program provides grant support to specific design solutions.

• Minimum and Maximum Grant: Grants range from $20,000 to $200,000.
• Funding Categories: Funding supports design solutions, innovative concepts, and research collaborations.
• Eligible Duration: The project timeline or eligible funding duration is not stated.

Eligibility Criteria

The program requires a collaborative team approach and a Western Australian base.

• Participants must include academics, researchers, and industry professionals.
• The team must be located in Western Australia.
• Projects must address real-world defence sector challenges identified by the program.

The information provided does not specify ABN/GST status, business structure, or size requirements.

Eligible Activities and Expenses

The grant funds activities necessary to research, design, and de-risk defence technologies.

Eligible activities include:

• Research and exploration of concepts to address defence sector needs.
• Work to de-risk new defence technologies.
• Maturation of innovative concepts.
• Developing sovereign capability.
• Generating innovative solutions to specific problem statements (e.g., “Stealth and Adaptive Defence”).

Assessment Process

The DaRT Grant Program is competitive. Funding supports only successful design solutions that meet the program’s strategic aims.

Key evaluation criteria focus on:

• The potential for the proposed solution to address emerging defence sector needs.
• The ability to de-risk new defence technologies and mature innovative concepts.
• The strength of the collaboration between academia, industry, and defence personnel.

Recent Program Updates

The DaRT program is an ongoing initiative by the Western Australian Government. It focuses on accelerating innovation by funding collaborative research and development projects for the defence industry. The program encourages a teaming approach to solve current problems.

Application Tips

Form a strong collaborative team consisting of industry, academia, and defence personnel. Ensure your proposed solution directly addresses a stated defence sector problem. Clearly demonstrate how your project will de-risk new technology or contribute to sovereign capability. Focus on the Western Australian context of your project.

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting a grant specialist for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Contact Pattens Group today, and we will connect you with Australia’s best grant specialist, boasting over 35 years of experience in the industry and a 100% success rate. For official guidelines, application details, templates, and further information, visit the website of the Western Australia Government.