Defence Strategic Policy Research Program

Overview The Department of Defence is offering the Defence Strategic Policy Research Program, a grant opportunity providing operating funding to the Australian strategic policy sector for up to five years, from 2027–28 to 2031–32. About This grant opportunity was established to implement the government response to the 2024 Independent Review of Commonwealth funding for strategic policy work (the Varghese review). Purpose The grant opportunity is confined to activities that support the Australian Defence Force (or other defence purposes), with the majority of an organisation's business-as-usual activities directed toward the annual national security policy research priorities, set by the Secretaries' Committee on National Security (SCNS) and published by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Objectives The objectives of the grant opportunity are to promote the development of Australia's defence and national security policy and strategy by: Informing and shaping debate through quality research, discussion fora, and other strategic policy work on Australian strategic and defence policy issues Deepening public discussion on Australia's strategic and defence policy choices Strengthening engagement between Defence and the strategic policy sector The intended outcomes of the grant opportunity are: Published original, evidence-based strategic policy research Development of new and emerging talent within the Australian strategic policy sector, promoting equitable and diverse participation, including with gender-diverse and/or First Nations-led organisations Enhanced engagement with public and private sector experts, including outside metropolitan locations Enriched professional development for Defence personnel (military and civilian) Eligibility You can apply if you: Have an Australian business number (ABN) Are registered for the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Have an account with an Australian financial institution Have an established board, informed by a skills matrix for board positions Are an incorporated organisation in Australia In addition to the eligibility criteria, applications can only be accepted where the applicant agrees to: Comply with the recommendations under the Varghese review where relevant to the organisation, including providing the Commonwealth with board observer status, and policies governing the transparency and appropriateness of corporate, philanthropic and foreign funding Comply with Working for Women: A Strategy for Gender Equality and National Agreement on Closing the Gap Provide all mandatory attachments specified in section 7.1 of the grant opportunity guidelines, including complying with formatting requirements, file-size restrictions, and word and page limits as specified You can't apply if you are: An organisation or sole-trader based outside Australia Already receiving operating funding for strategic policy work from the Commonwealth, between 1 July 2027 and 30 June 2032 An organisation, or your project partner is an organisation, included on the National Redress Scheme's list of Institutions that have not joined or signified their intent to join the Scheme An employer of 100 or more employees that has not complied with the Workplace Gender Equality Act (2012) An individual A partnership An unincorporated association A trust (however, an incorporated trustee may apply on behalf of a trust) A Commonwealth, state, territory or local government body (including government business enterprises and material entities) except a Commonwealth company which is in the Corporations Act 2001 A non-corporate Commonwealth entity Enquiries Phone: 13 28 46 Email: dsprp@industry.gov.au Web: https://business.gov.au/dsprp