Funding up to $500,000 to support research and activities that deepen debates on Australia’s strategic and defence policies, strengthen partnerships, and enhance strategic policy advice.
Current status of program
CLOSED
To register your interest in future rounds or discuss alternative grant opportunities please contact us here.
On this page you will find
What is the Strategic Policy Grants Program?
The Department of Defence is proud to announce the Strategic Policy Grants Program (SPGP) for 2025. This initiative seeks to fund research and activities that deepen understanding and foster debate on Australia’s strategic and defence policy. Established in 2019, the SPGP supports independent, unclassified strategic policy research including conferences, dialogues, seminars, and educational initiatives.
Strategic Policy Grants Program level of support
- There is no maximum or minimum grant amount, however applications will be more competitive with a proposal under $500,000.
- Funding up to 100% of eligible project expenditure available.
- Co-contribution Requirements: There are no co-contribution requirements specified for this grant.
Strategic Policy Grants Program important dates
- This program is currently closed
- Register your interest with GrantHelper
Strategic Policy Grants Program objectives and outcomes
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.
Activities eligible for Strategic Policy Grants Program support
To be eligible your grant activity must:
- Support Defence’s purpose and mission
- Satisfy one or more of the program’s objectives and outcomes
- Be new, unfunded, and distinct from any business-as-usual activity
Applications must either:
- Align with and address priorities and challenges outlined in the National Defence Strategy 2024, or
- Address one of the priority policy questions:
- What are the most effective methods for nuclear non-proliferation, including but not limited to the Indo-Pacific, and what are the implications of nuclear proliferation for regional stability?
- How would Southeast Asian nations coordinate through multilateral and minilateral groupings, including ASEAN, in response to crisis or conflict in the Indo-Pacific?
- In the context of regional conflicts, what measures and strategies can be implemented to enhance military medicine capabilities, including health security, military-civilian health networks, and casualty evacuation networks, in order to improve the overall readiness and effectiveness of military forces?
- What measures can Defence pursue this decade to enhance Australia’s national preparedness and resilience against the risk of major conflict?
- How can Australia generate low-cost, asymmetric effects to strengthen deterrence against major power coercion and aggression over the next five years?
See the guidelines for full details of activities eligible for support.
Expenditure eligible for Strategic Policy Grants Program support
Eligible expenditure items are:
- Grant research costs (e.g. data acquisition, analytical tools, research assistance, teaching relief, and salary covering time spent on activities relating only to eligible grant activities);
- Grant event costs (e.g. facility and equipment hire and catering);
- Communication costs (e.g. digital and physical publications and media);
- Travel costs (e.g. economy class transport, accommodation and meals); and
- Monitoring, evaluation and learning costs (e.g. reporting and auditing costs).
You cannot use the grant for the following costs:
- Capital costs (e.g. construction work or the purchase of equipment, IT, land or real-estate);
- General operating costs (e.g. salaries and utilities) not directly related to eligible grant activities;
- Costs incurred preparing funding proposals or related documents (e.g. grant applications);
- Costs incurred before the execution of a valid grant agreement for 2025 SPGP;
- Costs incurred after the end/completion date of a valid grant agreement for 2025 SPGP;
- Activities for which other Commonwealth, state, territory or local government bodies have primary responsibility; or
- Anything outside of the eligible expenditure criteria detailed at 6.3 Eligible expenditure.
- Interest cannot be earned on the Grant.
Locations eligible for Strategic Policy Grants Program support
Your grant can include activities at any locations in Australia and overseas.
Other Strategic Policy Grants Program important details that you will need to know
Organisations eligible for Strategic Policy Grants Program support
Eligible applicants include:
- Organisations with an Australian Business Number (ABN) or equivalent international registration.
- Consortia applications, provided they have a designated lead organisation.
- Both established and emerging experts in strategic and defence studies.
See the guidelines for full details of organisational requirements.
Strategic Policy Grants Program assessment criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on:
- Clarity and relevance to the strategic and defence priorities.
- The effectiveness of the proposed activities in achieving the program’s objectives.
- Promotion of new and emerging talent in the field of strategic and defence studies.
Applications must be submitted in full, addressing all criteria without exceeding specified word limits. Detailed evidence and justification for the proposed budget and activities are crucial for a successful application.
How do I get the Strategic Policy Grants Program?
- Applicants should read and understand the guidelines, as well as relevant Defence strategic documents.
- Successful applicants will provide a compelling case against all assessment criteria. You will describe a proposal that clearly aligns with the program’s objectives, enables activities that would not otherwise occur without funding, and will make a difference to Defence’s ability to fulfill its mission.
- You will describe a team with the capacity and capability to deliver, and a project plan that will successfully deliver the project in its entirety within the proposed implementation timeline.
- You should demonstrate policy relevance and address the most effective ways to convey results and findings to busy officials and members of the public in Australia and overseas.
- Most importantly, and before you start an application, you need to ensure your organisation is eligible for the funding. Organisations that do not meet all of the eligibility criteria outlined above will not be considered.
Information to prepare for the Strategic Policy Grants Program application
Applicants should prepare the following for the SPGP 2025 application:
- Detailed project proposal aligning with SPGP objectives.
- Proof of eligibility: ABN or equivalent international registration.
- Biographies of key project personnel, emphasising expertise in strategic and defence studies.
- Detailed budget outlining intended use of funds.
- Endorsement letters from all consortium members, if applicable.
Applying for the Strategic Policy Grants Program
Complete the 2025 SPGP application form, available for download on GrantConnect www.grants.gov.au. Submit your application (in Word format) to sp.grants@defence.gov.au.
Register your interest with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this grant and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.
Strategic Policy Grants Program resources
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