Funding announcement: NSSN Grand Challenge Fund now open

The NSW Smart Sensing Network (NSSN) is calling on research, industry and government stakeholders to form collaborative proposals and apply for funding under round two of the NSSN Grand Challenges Fund. The applications open today and close on 21 February 2022.

Grants of up to $100,000 per project will support the development of R&D projects that link industry or government partners with NSSN member universities to translate world-class research into impactful smart sensing solutions, either through commercialisation or operationalisation.

The Fund has been established to promote the development of innovative, collaborative research projects that advance smart sensing solutions to the six NSSN Grand Challenges: ageing, bushfires, COVID-19, water; plus the two new Grand Challenges introduced this year: mining, and smart places and buildings.

NSSN Co-Directors Professor Benjamin Eggleton and Professor Julien Epps said: “The fund provides a unique opportunity for industry and government partners to team up with researchers from across NSW and ACT and develop sensing solutions with a defined pathway to impact. As an innovation network, the NSSN is committed to translating world-class research occurring in NSW universities into compelling solutions that create value for the economy, environment and society of NSW.”

NSSN COO Nicholas Haskins said: “NSSN Grand Challenges are aimed at creating impactful solutions for the most complex issues of our time. In 2020, when the Fund was initially launched, we targeted really vexing current issues around ageing, bushfires, COVID-19 and water. This year, we have added mining and smart places to our program in recognition of the breadth of application of smart sensing. We have also integrated the UN Sustainable Development Goals into the program.”

The Grand Challenges have been selected for the important role smart sensing can play in responding to the issue and where technological innovation holds the promise to change the game. They have also been selected for the NSSN’s unique ability to mobilise the world-class R&D capability across our member universities in partnership with industry and government for practical, impactful outcomes.

Eligibility

To be eligible, funding proposals must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Leadership: be led by an NSSN member university.

Collaboration: involve a minimum of two NSSN member universities (incl. the lead).

Partnership: partner with at least one industry or government partner.

Co-investment: attract cash co-investment from industry/government partners at least equal to the requested amount.

Proposals that do not meet these criteria will not be assessed.

Assessment criteria

Proposals will be assessed on the following criteria:

Significance: how the proposal represents a significant and novel approach to addressing the defined Grand Challenge.

Collaboration: how the proposal integrates and fosters genuine collaboration between NSSN member universities.

Partnership: how the proposal integrates genuine partnership with industry and government partners and responds to a defined industry or government need.

Governance: how the proposal defines a realistic research plan and the measures that will ensure delivery on milestones.

Impact pathway: how the proposal defines a pathway to subsequent funding, commercialisation and/or operationalisation.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the relevant NSSN Theme Leader before submitting a proposal. The NSSN can provide assistance in connecting eligible applicants with relevant industry and government partners.