Seed Project Program

Establishing collaborative research partnerships 

The SRN Seed Project program is an industry and academic engagement program designed to establish collaborative partnerships by testing solutions to real world space problems. 

Objectives 

  • Establish space-related industry and academic partnerships  
  • Develop space-related projects targeting TRL 4-6  
  • Increase opportunities for projects to prepare for larger R&D grant programs 
  • Contribute to the development of the NSW/ACT space ecosystem 

Funding 

  • A total funding pool of $200K is available 
  • Applicants can apply for up to $50K in project funding 
  • Applicationsare assessed on a rolling basis until funding is exhausted 
  • Funding is awarded to the SRN Member University to administer the project 

Eligibility 

  • Lead academic partner must be an SRN member institution. Projects involving multiple SRN member institutions are particularly encouraged.  
  • Industry partner/s must be involved in developing or delivering a product or services directly related to the space industry. 
  • Projects can be part of a larger space-related project.  
  • Proposed project should not substantially duplicate work with current or past funding support from Commonwealth, Australian State or Territory, or other sources 

Program Overview 

  • Industry partner identifies potential project and approaches the SRN’s BDM Team to facilitate an introduction to academic research partner/s from an SRN Member University; or 
  •  Academic researcher/s with a clear path to funding and seeking to establish a project with an existing or prospective industry partner approaches SRN’s BDM Team to discuss facilitation through the program.  
  • The SRN can arrange a professionally facilitated workshop to introduce and/or explore project ideas between potential collaborators. 
  • The chief investigator from the SRN member institution submits application for funding 
  • Applications are reviewed and response provided within 10 business days 
  • Contract finalisation and funding disbursement must be completed within 3 months of notification of application success 
  • Projects must be completed within 6 months of contract finalisation.  
  • A final report articulating project outcomes and next steps is required within 3 months of project completion. 
  • Proposed projects must have a clear pathway to further funding articulated in their application. 

Future Opportunities 

  • Successful Seed Projects may qualify for assistance securing formal bid support services via the Bid Support fund . 

How to apply 

  • Please contact the SRN Business Development Team at in the first instance to discuss your application and for any assistance in facilitating partner introductions. Contact seed@srn.org.au 

A proposal template will be provided to facilitate the request for project support following an initial assessment of project scope.