The Western Australian Government has awarded $172,500 in grants to 15 local defence research projects as part of the Defence Science Centre (DSC) Research Higher Degree Student Grants.
The 15 successful defence research projects are exploring areas such as jet powered maritime motors, satellite communication and field-deployable chemical instrumentation.
Projects led by PhD students will receive $15,000, while projects led by Masters students, Honours students or students in their fourth year of an engineering degree will receive $7,500.
Previous grant recipient from Murdoch University, Chloe Smith, utilised the funding to study the cognitive performance of military personnel. With funding support, the project facilitated the development of a novel research proposal and has led to Ms Smith's involvement in establishing academic and industry partnerships with the WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
The successful projects demonstrate WA's contribution to sovereign capability in critical technologies and support for capacity-building in research areas where the Commonwealth Department of Defence has an interest.
The DSC Research Higher Degree Student Grants align with the WA Government's priority to enhance WA's STEM workforce capability and contribute to the objectives of the WA Defence and Defence Industries Strategic Plan.
For more information about the grants, visit https://www.jtsi.wa.gov.au/dsc-research-higher-degree-student-grant
As stated by Defence Industry and Veterans Issues Minister Paul Papalia:
"Western Australia's burgeoning defence industry is underpinned by cutting-edge research and it's vital that the WA Government supports our universities to continue this work.
"The 15 successful grant recipients represent some of the most exciting defence research projects being undertaken in Western Australia. These projects have the potential to further diversify our economy and create more jobs.
"Through the Research Higher Degree Student Grants, we are connecting universities and researchers with industry and defence to build a stronger WA economy."
