The National Intelligence Community (NIC) Research Program enables Australian citizen or Australian Permanent Resident researchers to undertake competitive, unclassified research into NIC research priorities.
The program supports excellent research that deepens understanding of emerging science and technology and addresses NIC interests. The program facilitates NIC innovation through talent development and consequent research outcomes. Research grants enables Australia’s National Intelligence Community to systematically engage with Australia’s world-class research and technology community.
Our National Intelligence Application Support (NIAS) initiative drives greater quality, equality, diversity, and inclusion in the NIC-funded research workforce. Further details are available through the application processes.
The National Intelligence Discovery Grants (NIDG)
A NIDG (10 available) provides up to $800k over three years to enable Discovery research into academia-defined research pursuant to o the Intelligence Challenges(Opens in a new tab/window).
The key dates for this program are as below:
- Expressions of Interest open: 26 August 2024
- Expressions of Interest close: 24 September 2024
- Full applications open by invitation: 22 October 2024
- Request Not to Assess Close: 3 December 2024
- Full Applications Close: 17 December 2024
- Rejoinders: Late-February 2025
- Anticipated announcement: Mid-2025
The Grant Guidelines and instructions are available at the ARC NISDRG website(Opens in a new tab/window).
While NIDGs are provided to Australian Universities, collaborative engagement with Australian start-up companies is strongly encouraged.
Application process enquiries can be directed to ARC-NIDG@arc.gov.au
Program enquiries can be directed to NIDG@oni.gov.au
The National Intelligence Post-Doctoral Grants (NIPG)
A NIPG (10 available) provides $365k (GST exclusive) over two years to enable Post-doctoral research by an individual into specific NIC-defined topics. Research proposals will be invited to address one or more of 20 topics.
The key dates for this program are as below:
- Applications (topics announced) open: November 2024
- Applications Close: February 2025
- Anticipated announcement: June 2025
- The Grant Guidelines will be available on GrantConnect(Opens in a new tab/window) in November
All documentation for this scheme will be found on the GrantConnect website. Please note, while the Grant Guidelines are available to view, you will need to register with GrantConnect to access all documentation.
While NIPGs are provided to Australian Universities, collaborative engagement with Australian start-up companies is strongly encouraged.
From time-to-time ONI may run additional NIPG topics out of cycle in response to emerging issues.
Enquiries can be directed to NIPG@oni.gov.au
Protect your Research
The world class success of Australia’s universities and research institutes makes them a particular target of espionage and foreign interference. The NIC Research Program grants comply with all relevant laws and regulations including having regard to the Guidelines to Counter Foreign Interference in the Australian University Sector published on the Department of Education website.(Opens in a new tab/window) ASIO’s Protect your research, collaborate with care booklet explains the espionage and foreign interference threat to the higher education and research sector. It suggests mitigation steps that individuals and institutions can employ to protect themselves in Australia and overseas. Download the Protect your research, collaborate with care booklet(Opens in a new tab/window) for more information.