Grants up to $150,000 to support defence businesses in projects that build export capability to build a stronger, more sustainable and globally competitive defence industry.
Current status of program
CLOSED
This program is no longer available. Click here for information on currently available defence grant programs.
On this page you will find
What is the Defence Global Competitiveness Grant (DGCG)?
The Government recognises that the Australian defence industry cannot sustain itself on the needs of the Australian Defence Force alone. New markets and opportunities are required to unlock the full potential of Australian defence industry to grow, innovate, and support Defence’s future needs.
The Defence Global Competitiveness Grant (DGCG) provides funding for Australian businesses to invest in projects that build export capability to build a stronger, more sustainable and globally competitive Australian defence industry.
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”.
DGCG level of support
Grants
The grant amount will be up to 50 per cent of eligible project expenditure (grant percentage).
- Minimum grant amount of $15,000.
- Maximum grant amount of $150,000.
- Grant funding is capped at $3 million in a 3-year period per recipient.
Co-contribution
- Recipient is responsible for the remaining eligible and any ineligible project costs.
DGCG important dates
- This program is currently closed
- Register your interest here with GrantHelper
DGCG important details that you will need to know
DGCG objectives and outcomes
The objective of the Defence Global Competitiveness Grants Program is to build a stronger, more sustainable and globally competitive Australian defence industry by supporting eligible Australian Small to Medium Enterprises SMEs to build export capability.
This will be achieved by providing grants to eligible Australian SMEs to enable them to overcome barriers to accessing export opportunities such as:
- achieving international certifications/accreditations; and
- procuring and commissioning capital items.
The intended outcome of the grant opportunity is a more sustainable and more globally competitive Australian defence industry to support Australia’s Defence capability needs. This will be demonstrated through eligible Australian SMEs being able to access increased export opportunities.
Organisations eligible for DGCG support
To be eligible you must:
- be an SME with less than 200 employees as defined in the Glossary.
- have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
and be one of the following entities:
- an entity, incorporated in Australia
- an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust.
Joint applications are acceptable, provided you have a lead organisation who is the main driver of the project and is eligible to apply.
Additional eligibility requirements include applications:
- where you 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
Eligibility criteria cannot be waived under any circumstances.
You are not eligible to apply if you are:
- an organisation, or your project partner is an organisation, included on the National Redress Scheme’s website on the 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
- partnership
- trust (however, an incorporated trustee may apply on behalf of a trust)
- a Commonwealth, State, Territory or local government body (including government business enterprises).
See the guidelines for full details of eligible and ineligible organisations.
Activities eligible for DGCG support
To be eligible your project must:
- include eligible activities (refer to section 5.1) and eligible expenditure (refer to section 5.2)
- have at least $30,000 in eligible expenditure
- relate to new or expanded defence export opportunities
- be undertaken within Australia.
Eligible activities must include at least one of the following:
- buying, leasing, constructing, installing or commissioning of capital equipment
- enhancements to cyber security including purchase of specialist software
As they relate to the above activities, this may also include:
- design, engineering and commissioning activities
- workforce training and accreditations.
The Program Delegate, (who is a senior responsible officer within the department with responsibility for administering the program) may also approve other activities.
See the guidelines for full details of eligible and ineligible activities.
Expenditure eligible for DGCG support
To be eligible, expenditure must:
- be incurred by you within the project period
- be a direct cost of the project
- be incurred by you to undertake required project audit activities (where applicable)
- meet the eligible expenditure guidelines.
See the guidelines for full details of eligible and ineligible expenditure.
Information to prepare for the DGCG application
You must provide the following documents with your application:
- project budget (you must use the template provided on business.gov.au)
- a letter of support from each project partner (where applicable)
- evidence of support from the board, CEO or
- trust deed (where applicable).
You must attach supporting documentation to the application form in line with the instructions provided within the form. You should only attach requested documents. The total of all attachments cannot exceed 20MB. Information in attachments that are not requested will not be considered.
See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.
Applying for the DGCG
Applications are submitted online via portal.business.gov.au.
Book a no obligation discovery session with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
DGCG assessment criteria
| Ref | Criterion |
| 1 | The extent that your project will help your business to build defence industry export capability (50 points). You should demonstrate this by describing: – the extent that your project will improve the capability of your business to compete successfully in global defence markets. You should consider the following in your response: competitive advantage gained; extent product development completed; commercial benefits; and, export barrier(s) overcome. – the export opportunities the project will open up for your business and how you will take advantage of the opportunities. – the broader benefits to your business and to defence industry from undertaking the project. You should consider the following in your response: detail on the broader benefits for the business; the benefits to the defence sector; and, expanded market opportunities. |
| Ref | Criterion |
| 2 | Your capacity, capability and resources to deliver the project (30 points). You should demonstrate this through identifying: – your plan to manage the project. Include detail on the key risks, timeframes and budget. You should attach a project budget commensurate with the grant amount requested to clearly outline your project expenditure. – your track record managing similar projects. Include detail on the key personnel with the right skills and experience, including management and technical staff who will manage the delivery of the project. – how you will measure the success of the project. |
| Ref | Criterion |
| 3 | The impact of grant funding (20 points). Demonstrate how the grant funding will assist your organisation by: – describing the likelihood the project would proceed without the grant and explain how the grant will benefit the size and timing of your project. If you have already received a Defence Global Competitiveness grant, explain why you need additional funding. – justifying the funding amount requested with respect to the scale of the project and intended outcomes. |
See the guidelines for full details of the assessment.
DGCG resources
How do I get the DGCG?
Before applying, you should read and understand the guidelines, sample application form and the sample grant agreement.
You should also read the Defence Export Strategy.
You will need to set up an account to access the online portal. The portal allows you to apply for and manage a grant or service in a secure online environment.
The panel considers your application on its merits, based on:
- how well it meets the criteria
- how it compares to other applications
- whether it provides value with relevant money
When assessing whether the application represents value with relevant money, we will have regard to:
- the overall objectives of the grant opportunity
- the evidence provided to demonstrate how your project contributes to meeting those objectives
- the relative value of the grant sought.
The panel will assess your application against the assessment criteria and compare it to other eligible applications before recommending which projects to fund.
To recommend an application for funding it must score highly against each assessment criterion.
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