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National Intelligence and Security Discovery Research Grants (NISDRG) / National Intelligence Discovery Grants (NIDG) Program

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Introduction

The National Intelligence and Security Discovery Research Grants (NISDRG) program supports excellent research that deepens understanding of emerging science and technology that addresses intelligence and national security interests, and facilitates innovation and develops national security and intelligence capacity.

The NISDRG program commenced in 2020 with funding from both ONI and the Defence National Security Science and Technology Centre (NSSTC). NSSTC funded the National Security Challenges Grants in Rounds 1 and 2.

For funding commencing in 2025, the Office of National Intelligence (ONI) will provide funding under the National Intelligence Discovery Grants (NIDG) program to reflect a refined focus on the Intelligence Challenges. The NIDG continues the aims of NISDRG to enhance systematic engagement between Australia’s National Intelligence Community and Australia’s research and technology community. 

The grants provide support to research that aligns with the priority research areas identified by the Australian Government. These research areas are outlined in the Intelligence Challenges developed under the broad National Security Science and Technology Priorities. 

The program values equality, diversity, and inclusion in the research workforce and aligns with ARC’s approach based on a number of established policies and practices, including the ARC’s Gender Equality strategy.

Click here to see the Intelligence Challenges

Funding

The NIDG  grants will provide funding of between $400,000 and $800,000 per project for up to three years. Grant opportunities are opened once a year through GrantConnect.

Note, NIDG grants are made to organisations, not to individual researchers or research teams. See the Grant Guidelines on GrantConnect for each round for the full list of Eligible Organisations.

Key Requirements

It is a requirement that all named investigators and personnel that receive salary support or stipends be Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or New Zealand Special Category Visa Holders.

Eligibility

The application forms for the NIDG program contain a number of eligibility validations reflecting the eligibility requirements outlined in the NIDG Grant Guidelines. The eligibility validations in the forms will stop applicants from submitting an application which breaches eligibility requirements related to participants and organisations.

The ARC, on behalf of ONI, will conduct a range of eligibility checks on submitted applications once the application period has closed. The eligibility checks will identify potential eligibility issues for which there is no forms validation.

Administering Organisations will be contacted by email if an application is identified as having one or more potential eligibility issues. Administering Organisations may then choose to submit an appeal against the ineligibility ruling.

See the Grant Guidelines on GrantConnect for each round for the full list of eligibility requirements.

Click here to find the relevant Grant Guidelines on the 'Grant Opportunities' page

Preparing and Submitting an Application

Applications for the NIDG must be prepared and submitted through the dedicated version of RMS. 

Click here to find the relevant RMS version on the RMS Portals page

Previously funded projects

Funded projects for the NISDRG and/or NIDG can be found on the Grant Announcement & Outcomes page.

Click here to view the 'Grant Announcement & Outcomes' page

Want to find out more about NIDG on GrantConnect?

While the information is available to view, you will need to sign in or Create a User Registration Account in GrantConnect to access all the relevant information.

A full suite of information will be available on GrantConnect, including:

  • NIDG Grant Guidelines
  • Intelligence Challenges
  • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
  • Instructions to Applicants
  • Sample Form.

All accountable authorities and officials must use GrantConnect to publish all Grant Opportunities, all Grant Opportunity Guidelines and all addenda/alterations.

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