CIDC Australian grant programs and webinar series

The Australian Centre for Defence Industry Capability releases information for SMEs on applying for a range of grants, including a webinar series on grant applications, business opportunities, and tenders.

The Centre for Defence Industry Capability (CDIC) offers a range of grants to support small and medium Australian businesses build capability to work in the defence industry and grow their capacity to participate in defence supply chains:

• Capability Improvement Grants of up to $150,000 to help businesses implement recommendations made by the CDIC as part of an advisory service.

• Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Grants of up to $1 million to help Australian businesses invest in projects that build capability aligned to the Sovereign Industrial Capability Priorities.

• Defence Global Competitiveness Grants of up to $150,000 to help Australian businesses invest in projects that address barriers to export and build defence export capability.

To be eligible to apply for a CDIC grant, a business must have fewer than 200 employees and an Australian Business Number (ABN). Other eligibility requirements apply, which can be found in the grant opportunity guidelines issued for each grant program. All grants require the business to match the funding amount dollar for dollar.

Capability Improvement Grants

Capability Improvement Grants provide funding for improving the operations of a business. They are focused on improving a business’ capability and capacity to supply its product or service to the defence market. Examples of activities that can be funded include product and service development, strategic business issues, internal systems and human resources issues, and initial industry certifications or accreditations.

Applications for Capability Improvement Grants are assessed on a continual basis and are not relative to the merits of other applications. Full details of eligible activities can be found in the Capability Improvement Grant opportunity guidelines.

Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority and Defence Global Competitiveness Grants

To receive a SICP Grant, a project must enhance a business’ capability to supply products and services that align to one of the ten Sovereign Industrial Capability Priorities.

A project under the DGCG must help a business overcome an export barrier to build your capability to export to new or existing markets.

SICP and DGCGs can be used for activities such as the purchase of capital equipment (including specialist software and security infrastructure); design, engineering and commissioning activities; and workforce training and accreditations. Full details of eligible activities can be found in the relevant grant opportunity guidelines.

Webinar series

The CDIC has developed a highly interactive online outreach program to help Australian small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) position themselves to take advantage of defence industry opportunities.

Its Defence Industry Insights webinar series will address key questions, concerns and information needs of SMEs by providing invaluable insights and practical information, including:

• Webinar 1: Grant Applications – explains what grants are available to SMEs and how to write persuasive grant applications - 23 June.

• Webinar 2: Growing Your Business in the Defence Marketplace – profiles the Defence marketplace and identifies opportunities to grow your business - 14 July.

• Webinar 3: Developing a Successful Tender – examines the Defence procurement and tendering process in a practical way - 11 August.

The CDIC’s mission is to work with industry and Defence to build a world-class, globally competitive and sustainable Australian industry as a fundamental input to Defence Capability.