On 8 January Defence announced the opening of the 2025 round Strategic Policy Grants Program (SPGP). This program supports original, independent research and public policy.
The program – now in its sixth year – broadens public debate, strengthens Defence partnerships, and informs Defence’s strategic policy development by funding independent projects focused on strategic issues relevant to Australia.
The SPGP has funded a range of successful policy papers, education courses, roundtable discussions, articles and dialogues.
First Assistant Secretary Strategic Policy, Dr Sheridan Kearnan, said the SPGP would award approximately $3.5 million in total grant funding in the 2025 round.
“In an ever-changing strategic environment, new ideas and thinking are critical to ensuring Defence’s own strategic direction is fit for purpose. The program aims to fund a diverse range of perspectives, from new and emerging voices as well as established Defence and national security experts. If you can offer well-aligned, high-value, and influential insights on Australia’s future defence and security needs, we strongly encourage you to apply.”
Applications can address one of the following priority policy questions or address their own topics or questions that align with the priorities outlined in the 2024 National Defence Strategy:
- 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 mini-lateral 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 5 years?
However, applicants may also submit their own ideas that align with strategic policy priorities outlined in the National Defence Strategy. Submissions close on 28 February.
For more details on the SPGP visit:
https://www.defence.gov.au/defence-activities/programs-initiatives/strategic-policy-grants-program
Source: ADF
