Current Grant Opportunity View - GO7454

This grant opportunity is part of the Strategic Policy Grants Program (SPGP), which supports strategic policy research relevant to the Department of Defence’s purpose, mission and priorities.

The SPGP is an annual, open and competitive grants opportunity administered by Defence. Defence has run the program since 2019. 

The SPGP funds independent, unclassified, strategic policy-focused research and related activities; including  conferences, dialogues, seminars, education modules, roundtables, and scenario exercises.

The objective of the program is to support the achievement of Defence’s mission and purpose by: 

• deepening public debate about Australia’s strategic and defence policy choices;
• informing the development of Australia’s defence policy and strategy;
• strengthening Defence’s international and domestic partnerships; and
• broadening participation in Australia’s strategic and defence policy debate. 

The intended outcomes of the program are:

• the publication of original, well-informed and policy-relevant research; 
• engagements between Defence and leading non-government experts;
• events and activities involving Defence’s international and domestic counterparts; and
• fostering new and emerging talent in Australia’s strategic and defence policy debate.

Applications for SPGP 2025 must be lodged by organisations holding an Australian Business Number (ABN) or equivalent overseas business registration number. Individuals with different organisational affiliations can submit a joint (or consortium) application to SPGP 2025, but must identify a project lead as well as a lead organisation accountable to the Australian Government, via Defence, for any agreed grant activities. Should a joint application succeed, the lead organisation will enter into a grant agreement with the Australian Government, represented by Defence. Consortium applications must identify all members of the proposed consortium, and include a signed letter from each proposed member indicating endorsement of the application. 

Defence welcomes applications to 2025 SPGP from new and emerging as well as established strategic and defence studies experts. Established strategic and defence studies experts must design their activities to broaden participation in Australia’s strategic and defence policy debate by promoting increased participation by new and emerging talent. 

The 2025 SPGP is a global initiative that welcomes applicants from all countries, regardless of citizenship or residence. The SPGP's focus is on Australia's strategic and defence policy choices, but applicants are not required to be Australian citizens or residents. They must however collaborate with an Australian think tank or academic institution for a portion or the entirety of the grant activity. The SPGP encourages international perspectives and diverse backgrounds to enrich the understanding and analysis of global strategic policy issues. 

$3,500,000.00

From $0.00 to $500,000.00

To apply you must:

• complete the 2025 SPGP application form, available for download on GrantConnect
• provide all the information requested
• address all eligibility criteria and assessment criteria
• include all necessary attachments
• submit your application (in Word format) to sp.grants@defence.gov.au by 12:00 PM (AEST) on 28 February 2025.