CFAs: South Australian Space Collaboration and Innovation Fund

The South Australian Space Collaboration and Innovation Fund was established in 2024 to support the rapid transition of space technology into operational use while growing the South Australian space ecosystem through international collaboration.

The South Australian Space Collaboration and Innovation Fund (the Fund) is an investment focused Grant scheme intended to drive growth in South Australia’s space sector through industry ingenuity and international partnerships, which are key to driving innovation success for the local space ecosystem. The Fund contributes to SASIC’s strategic vision to support a thriving, enduring and sustainable space ecosystem that is globally connected, fosters innovation and empowers all to discover the limitless potential of space.

The South Australian Government established the South Australian Space Industry Centre (SASIC) to drive space industry innovation, research, and entrepreneurial development.

Objectives

• The Fund objectives are to:
  • leverage existing South Australian strengths and innovation in space
  • improve industry capability to capture and leverage investment opportunities with increased access to national and international markets
  • establish partnerships with leading international organisations and innovators
  • use space as a driver of technology development and derived benefits in allied areas to help drive broader economic benefits beyond the space sector.

Aims

• The Fund aims to:
  • support South Australian industry to conduct a space-related project with an international partner, in line with SASIC’s strategy and space priority areas
  • enable South Australia to create and participate in larger-scale space activities, that are aligned with the most significant opportunities across the international space sector
  • support targeted knowledge development and innovation enhancing South Australian space capability through international partnerships
  • have ongoing impacts on South Australia’s innovation ecosystem, to enable industry a more rapid transition of technology developments towards future operational capabilities
  • catalyse opportunities for greater follow-on investment and uplift of local industry to supply into international defence/space programs and supply chains, driving economic benefits across the whole economy.

Funding Information

• Funding of up to $320,000 AUD is available to support one project led by a South Australian-based space company.
• There is no minimum grant amount specified, and preference will be given to proposals that demonstrate the ability to build scale in South Australia.
• Project funding will be awarded to the South Australian entity (Lead Organisation).
• A maximum of 10% of the grant funding is available for the International Partner Organisation.
• Projects begin as soon as the Funding Agreement has been signed by all parties. The expected timeframe for projects is up to 12 months. Projects must be completed within 12 months of the start date.

Eligible Activities and Expenditure

• Eligible activities may include:
  • employing and/or providing stipends to staff to work on the Fund project
  • purchasing hardware and software
  • costs to access research infrastructure
  • travel costs directly related to the Fund project
  • other activities will be reviewed and assessed individually and may be approved.
• If your application is successful, they may ask you to verify project costs provided in your application.
• You may need to provide evidence such as quotes for major costs.
• To be eligible, expenditure must be a direct cost of the project.
• You must incur the project expenditure between the project start and end date for it to be eligible.
• You must not commence your project until the Funding Agreement is executed.

Eligibility Criteria

• Minimum requirements for collaboration:
  • at least one South Australian-based industry organisation (start-up or SME), and
  • at least one International Partner Organisation.
• Minimum requirements for matched funding:
  • 1:1 matched funding (cash and/or in-kind), i.e., applicants must contribute at least $1 for every $1 funded.
  • comprise a minimum of 10% cash (the International Partner is required to contribute to the matched funding element (cash and/or in-kind)).
  • Co-contributions from Lead, International and Other Partner Organisations may be used to fund work outside of South Australia, however the majority of overall project effort must occur in South Australia.
• Who is eligible to participate?
  • The Lead Organisation is the entity with which the Minister for Defence and Space Industries, represented by Defence SA, will enter into a Funding Agreement. The Lead Organisation of the Fund application must be a South Australian-based start-up or SME.
  • The International Partner Organisation can be an overseas government, research and/or industry organisation.
  • Proposals can involve multiple organisations, Australian and international, however, the Lead Organisation must be South Australian-based.

For more information, visit business.gov.au.