Funding to establish a Robotics, Automation and AI Command and Control Centre in Western Australia
Space Infrastructure Fund – Robotics, Automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Command and Control Centre
The Centre will support the development and operation of robotic and remote asset management activities in space, as well as Earth based activities that lead to the development of these capabilities in Australia
What do you get?
A grant of up to $4.5 million dollars, awarded to a single successful applicant.
Who is this for?
Australian businesses with the capacity to establish the Robotics, Automation and AI Command and Control Centre.
Overview
The Space Infrastructure Fund (SIF) is a $19.5 million investment in seven infrastructure projects to drive the growth of Australia’s space sector.
The projects form an important element of the Advancing Space: Australian Civil Space Strategy 2019-2028, primarily addressing the ‘National’ pillar to increase capability in the sector. They will be developed in locations across Australia, providing investment in multiple states and territories, and building upon Australia’s National Civil Space Priorities and strengths.
The Space Infrastructure Fund: Robotics, Automation and AI Command and Control Centre grant opportunity is an open, competitive grant opportunity that will establish the Robotics, Automation and AI Command and Control Centre in Western Australia. It will be a national facility, with the Australian space industry being a key user of the centre. It is not intended that the Australian Space Agency own or operate the centre.
The grant opportunity will support the development and operation of robotic and remote asset management activities in space, as well as Earth based activities that lead to the development of these capabilities in Australia. This includes:
- robotic operation of on-orbit space assets
- automated command, control and management of robotic activities in space
- on-orbit servicing of satellites
- assisting in the delivery of technology necessary for object handling, manipulation and assembly of satellite parts, and gateways or off–Earth base construction equipment
The project period is 2 years.
Eligibility
What are the eligibility criteria?
To be eligible you must:
- be an entity incorporated in Australia and a trading corporation, where your trading activities
- form a sufficiently significant proportion of the corporation’s overall activities as to merit it being described as a trading corporation; or
- are a substantial and not merely peripheral activity of the corporation.
We can only accept applications:
- where you can provide evidence from your board (or chief executive officer or equivalent if there is no board) that the project is supported, and that you can complete the project and meet the costs of the project not covered by grant funding
- where you can provide an Accountant Declaration that confirms you are a trading corporation as defined in section 4.1 and can fund any project costs not met by the grant.
Joint applications are acceptable providing the lead organisation is the main driver of the project and is eligible to apply.
Check the full eligibility details in the grant opportunity guidelines.
You are not eligible to apply if you are:
- income tax exempt
- an individual
- a partnership
- a trust (however, an incorporated trustee may apply on behalf of a trust)
- a Commonwealth, State, Territory or local government body (including government business enterprises)
- a non-corporate Commonwealth entity
Applying
How do you apply?
The Space Infrastructure Fund – Robotics, Automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Command and Control Centre grant opportunity is closed to applications.
We assess your application against the eligibility criteria and then against the assessment criteria. Only eligible applications will proceed to the assessment stage.
The amount of detail and supporting evidence you provide in your application should be relative to the project size, complexity and grant amount requested. You should define, quantify and provide evidence to support your answers. The sample application form displays character limits.
We consider your application on its merits, based on:
- how well it meets the criteria
- how it compares to other applications
- whether it provides value with relevant money
We'll establish a committee that includes government, space sector and industry experts to assess applications. The committee may seek additional advice from independent technical experts.
The committee will assess your application against the assessment criteria and compare it to other eligible applications before recommending which application to fund.
If the selection process identifies unintentional errors in your application, we may contact you to correct or clarify the errors, but you cannot make any material alteration or addition.
The Head of the Australian Space Agency will decide which application to approve.
To be competitive you must score highly against all of the assessment criteria.
- Assessment criterion 1: How your project will provide SMEs (including start-ups) and researchers with capability to develop, test, operate and support robotics, automation and AI activities in space (40 points).
- Assessment criterion 2: The benefits of your project (30 points).
- Assessment criterion 3: Your capacity, capability and resources to deliver the project (30 points).
If your application is successful, you’ll receive a written offer. If you're unsuccessful, we’ll notify you in writing and give you the chance to discuss the outcome with us.
Successful applicants must enter into a grant agreement with the Commonwealth. The grant agreement will specify the reporting requirements, payment schedule and milestones necessary to receive payments.
We’ll make the first payment when the grant agreement is executed. We’ll make subsequent payments after we have received and accepted the required report.
We'll make payments by direct credit into your nominated bank account.
Need help?
Contact us for help with your application or to find out more.
- Phone:
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Open Hours:
Open: Monday – Friday, 8am – 8pm across Australia
- Website:
Key documents
Project budget template
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