New frontier for space supply chains

| August 31, 2020

The first program in the Government’s $150 million Moon to Mars initiative is open. Local businesses now have the opportunity to apply for grants that will strengthen skills, capabilities and capacity.

The Supply Chain capability improvement grants will help businesses to double down on their capabilities. It will also support their application across other high growth industries such as mining, cyber security and agriculture.

The aim of the Supply Chain program is to lift the participation of Australian companies in local and international space supply chains that could support NASA’s inspirational plan to return to the Moon and travel on to Mars.

Head of the Australian Space Agency Dr Megan Clark AC said increasing national capability is one of the primary areas of focus in the Government’s Australian Civil Space Strategy.

“These grants are about Australia building on its strengths, partnering for success by diversifying the economy, and building a high tech workforce that can make a significant contribution internationally,” Dr Clark said.

“Supply chain partnerships and a clear commercialisation pathway are key to these Supply Chain capability improvement grants. We want to see partnerships that bring Australian space products and services to life and contribute to Australia’s export market capacity. This will create jobs and increase skills at a local level.”

Eligible projects could include:

  • activities that support the development of space industry technology, products, processes or services
  • development of a product from an adjacent industry, like manufacturing, to support the space industry

Buyer support is essential. Applicants will need to show they have a buyer who is genuinely interested in the product/service.

The $25.7 million Supply Chain capability grants is a five year program with grants of between $250,000 and $1 million available.

Visit the Business Grants Hub for more information or to apply.

 

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