Building export capability in defence
Defence Global Competitiveness GrantLast Updated: 14 September 2021
Due to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP, announced on 29 October 2020 additional funding for the Defence Global Competitiveness Grant.
Updated Grant Opportunity Guidelines will apply for all applications lodged between 12 November 2020 and 30 June 2021.
If you started but didn’t submit a draft application before 12 November 2020, you will need to apply on a new application form. You can access your draft application until 10 December 2020 to copy data to a new application form. After 10 December 2020, draft applications will be unavailable.
Defence Global Competitiveness Grant
Grants to help Australian businesses invest in projects that build their defence export capability.
What do you get?
A grant of $24,000 to $240,000 for up to 80% of the cost of investing in projects that build export capability to build a stronger, more sustainable and globally competitive Australian defence industry. The maximum grant period is 18 months.
Who is this for?
Small to medium sized businesses with an Australian business number (ABN). The business must be either:
- a company incorporated in Australia
- an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust
Other eligibility requirements apply.
How it works
You need to contribute 20% of the eligible project value.
Project activities can include:
- buying, leasing, constructing, installing or commissioning of capital equipment including specialist software to enhance cyber security
- design, engineering and commissioning activities
- workforce training and accreditations
The Defence export strategy defines Australian defence exports as ‘any defence-specific or dual-use goods or services exported by Australian defence industry, including as part of a supply chain, that are intended for a defence or national security end-user’.
Eligibility
What are the eligibility criteria?
To be eligible your business must:
- have fewer than 200 employees
- have an Australian business number (ABN)
- be a company incorporated in Australia or be an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust
Also, you must:
- provide evidence from your Board (or Chief Executive Officer or equivalent if there is no board) that the project is supported, and that you can complete the project and meet the costs of the project not covered by grant funding
- provide an external accountant declaration form that confirms you can fund your share of the project costs
Who is excluded?
You are not eligible to apply if you are:
- an individual
- a partnership
- a trust (but an incorporated trustee may apply on behalf of a trust)
- a government body at any level (including government business enterprise)
Applying
Before you apply
Read the grant opportunity guidelines and sample grant agreement. The guidelines provide detailed information on the:
- grant opportunity, including grant objectives
- eligibility and merit criteria
- assessment processes
- reporting and acquittal requirements
- review mechanisms
How to apply
Complete and submit your grant application through the online portal. If you’re using the portal for the first time you will need to set up an account.
Apply for a Defence Global Competitiveness Grant
Make sure you:
- meet the eligibility criteria
- have evidence that your Board or Chief Executive Officer supports the project and the business can complete it
- have an external accountant declaration confirming that your business can fund its share of the costs
Need help?
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