Would you like help in accessing up to $150,000 for defence sector export capabilities?

 

The Defence Global Competitiveness (DGC) Grant aims to build the export capabilities of Australian SMEs as the government works towards making Australia a top-ten global defence exporter. Grants of up to $150,000 will fund a range of export related activities for SMEs, including seeking international accreditations and procuring capital items which make them more competitive in export markets.

Funding may be granted to eligible defence sector SMEs for projects that relate directly to helping your business build defence industry export capability. This may 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.

Grants will be awarded for up to 50% of the eligible project costs, with a minimum of $15,000 up to a maximum of $150,000 per a maximum grant period of 12 months.

For projects to be eligible they must:

 

• Include eligible activities and eligible expenditure (as outlined above)

• Have at least $30,000 in eligible expenditure

• Relate to new or expanded defence export opportunities; and

• Occur within Australia.

 

 

Merit Criteria

 

To be competitive, applicants must score highly against all of the merit criteria:

 

• Merit criterion 1 – The extent to which your project will help your business to build defence industry export capability
   

• Merit criterion 2 – Your capacity, capability and resources to deliver the project
   

• Merit criterion 3 – The impact of grant funding on the project.

 
 

Eligibility Criteria

 

To apply for a grant, your business must:

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• Be a defence sector SME with less than 200 employees
   

• Have an Australian Business Number (ABN), and be:

  • A company, incorporated in Australia, or

  • An incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust,
     

• Provide a project budget.
   

• Provide a letter of support from each project partner (where applicable).
   

• Provide evidence from your board (or CEO/equivalent) that the project is supported, that you can complete the project, and meet the costs of the project not covered by grant funding.
   

• Provide a trust deed (where applicable).

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You are NOT eligible to apply if you are:

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• 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.
   

• 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).

 

Get in touch with us to learn more about the DGC Grant process or for help in pulling together a stand out application.