The National Intelligence Community (NIC) Research Program enables Australian citizen or Australian Permanent Resident researchers to undertake competitive, unclassified research into NIC research priorities.

The program supports excellent research that deepens understanding of emerging science and technology and addresses NIC interests. The program facilitates NIC innovation through talent development and consequent research outcomes. Research grants enables Australia’s National Intelligence Community to systematically engage with Australia’s world-class research and technology community.

The National Intelligence and Security Discovery Research Grants (NISDRG)

A NISDRG (10 available) provides up to $800k over three years to enable Discovery research into academia-defined research pursuant to the Intelligence Challenges(Opens in a new tab/window).

The key dates for this program are as below:

  • Expressions of Interest open: 28 August 2023
  • Expressions of Interest close: 25 September 2023
  • Full applications open by invitation: 23 October 2023
  • Request Not to Assess Close: Late-November 2023
  • Full Applications Close: 4 December 2023
  • Rejoinders: Late-February 2024
  • Anticipated announcement: Mid-2024

The Grant Guidelines and instructions are available at the ARC NISDRG website(Opens in a new tab/window).

While NISDRGs are provided to Australian Universities, collaborative engagement with Australian start-up companies is strongly encouraged.

Application process enquiries can be directed to ARC-NISDRG@arc.gov.au

Program enquiries can be directed to NISDRG@oni.gov.au

The National Intelligence Post-Doctoral Grants (NIPG)

A NIPG (10 available) provides $365k (GST exclusive) over two years to enable Post-doctoral research by an individual into specific NIC-defined topics. Research proposals will be invited to address one or more of 20 topics.

The key dates for this program are as below:

  • Applications (topics announced) open: 20 November 2023
  • Applications Close: 16 February 2024
  • Anticipated announcement: June 2024
  • The Grant Guidelines will be available on GrantConnect(Opens in a new tab/window) on 20 November

All documentation for this scheme will be found on the GrantConnect website. Please note, while the Grant Guidelines are available to view, you will need to register with GrantConnect to access all documentation.

While NIPGs are provided to Australian Universities, collaborative engagement with Australian start-up companies is strongly encouraged.

Protect your Research

The world class success of Australia’s universities and research institutes makes them a particular target of espionage and foreign interference. ASIO’s Protect your research, collaborate with care booklet explains the espionage and foreign interference threat to the higher education and research sector. It suggests mitigation steps that individuals and institutions can employ to protect themselves in Australia and overseas. Download the Protect your research, collaborate with care booklet(Opens in a new tab/window) for more information.

Enquiries can be directed to NIPG@oni.gov.au

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