The McGowan Government has awarded grants totalling $127,500 to 11 successful defence researchers through the Defence Science Centre (DSC) Research Higher Degree Student Grants initiative.
The researchers are expected to contribute towards WA science capability and the state’s defence industry through their expertise in fields such as automation, marine communications, and operational skill proficiency.
In particular, PhD candidates will get $15,000, MA students will receive $10,000, while fourth-year or honours engineering students will receive $7,500.
Commenting on the funding, Defence Industry Minister Paul Papalia said this move will support the next generation of defence research through the Defence Science Centre’s Research Higher Degree Student Grants resulting in diversification and more jobs for Western Australians.
“The Research Higher Degree Student Grants program is a key enabler for defence research in Western Australia, and the McGowan Government is proud to support some of our brightest scientific minds,” the minister noted.
The grant program funds collaborative projects from Curtin University, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University, and The University of Western Australia that are relevant to the Department of Defence.
The initiative also supports capacity-building in research areas where the Commonwealth Department of Defence has an interest, and promotes new defence sector links among DSC-member universities and industry.
Applications for the DSC Collaborative Research Grant program, which funds defence-related research partnerships in Western Australia, have also opened.
This initiative provides seed funding ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 to DSC-member universities to grow WA’s defence research sector and defence industry, create jobs, and support a key component of the WA Defence and Defence Industries Strategic Plan.
