National Security Science and Technology Branch

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Research Support for Counter-Terrorism

The Research Support for Counter-Terrorism (RSCT) program supports research and development activities which enhance national counter-terrorism capabilities.  The National Security Science and Technology (NSST) Branch, which manages the program, consults with counter-terrorism agencies to identify and prioritise where such research and development could be most beneficial and develops specific project requirements able to be addressed by individual research tasks.  These specific project requirements are published as part of the program’s central application process. 

The NSST Branch also realises that the research community may produce innovative or novel solutions to emerging or existing security challenges.  It therefore invites proposals to be submitted, both as part of the central call for applications and on an ad hoc basis, which address research priorities but which fall outside  the published specific project requirements. 

The program funds up to 50% of the cost of supported projects, with the remainder of costs to be borne by the organisation conducting the research, interested counter-terrorism agencies and/or other sponsors.  Projects are competitively selected for support following the assessment of proposals by independent expert panels.  Proposals may be put forward by universities, private companies, government agencies, research networks or organisations such as Cooperative Research Centres. 

Areas of research and development supported by the programTop

Counter-terrorism research and development covers a broad range of subjects and disciplines.  The RSCT program provides support to projects across this spectrum of activity based on the prioritisation of requirements and the strength of the proposals received.  It is highly unlikely that a project falling outside of the areas identified below would be approved for support by the program.

Counter-Terrorism Research and Development RequirementsTop

The NSST Branch maintains a framework which prioritises counter-terrorism research and development across four broad strategic domains centred on prevention, preparedness, response and recovery and covers threats to Australian people, property and interests, including critical infrastructure.  A detailed summary of the framework and further information on the prioritisation process is available on the Research and Development Requirements page.  As part of the RSCT program’s central call for applications, the NSST Branch issues a document containing detailed information on specific identified research tasks. 

National Chemical, Biological and Radiological Capability Improvement ProgramTop

The National Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) Capability Improvement Program is administered by Emergency Management Australia (EMA) and jointly coordinated with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet through the RSCT program.  It aims to improve Australia’s national ability to prevent, prepare for, or respond to CBR incidents through directed research and development, with a particular focus on first responder capability.

Information on the 2008-09 Australian Government co-funding of chemical, biological and radiological countermeasure research projects is now available.

General call for applicationsTop

The majority of proposals approved for support under the program are received as part of a general call for applications, which occurs approximately every twelve months.  A central call will be advertised on this website and in a variety of other publications and will invite organisations to submit proposals which can address specific requirements (see ‘RSCT Research Requirements’ above). 

2007-08 general call for applications

On Monday 17 March 2008, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Byrne MP, announced the commencement of 20 new projects from the 2007-08 general call for applications.  A document detailing these projects is available for download.

2008-09 general call for applications

For 2008, the NSST Branch will be making a targeted call focussed on the National Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) Capability Improvement Program.  Information on this call is available on the Australian Government co-funding of chemical, biological and radiological countermeasure research projects page.

2009-10 general call for applications

The 2009-10 general call for applications is expected to open in March 2009, with a view to commencing new projects in July 2009.  Interested individuals and organisations should check this website regularly for updates.

Ad hoc proposalsTop

Outside of the central call process, the NSST Branch approves for funding a small number of proposals which have been received on an ad hoc basis.  Projects approved in this manner must meet a very specific set of criteria set out in the program guidelines.  The NSST Branch does not encourage researchers to submit detailed research proposals unless they are directly related to a published counter-terrorism requirement and the research activity has been discussed with a member of the NSST Branch.  Individuals or organisations considering submitting an ad hoc proposal should carefully study the relevant sections of the program guidelines and contact the NSST Branch either by email on nsst@pmc.gov.au or by telephone on (02) 6271 5134.

Program GuidelinesTop

The RSCT program guidelines are currently under revision.  The guidelines covering the 2008-09 call for applications for Australian Government co-funding of chemical,  biological and radiological countermeasure research projects are available.

Contact for further informationTop

If you require further information please contact the NSST Branch either by email on nsst@pmc.gov.au or by telephone on (02) 6271 5134.

Privacy

Information provided to the NSST Branch through the RSCT program will only be used for the purpose of assessing the merit of proposals. For more information about the security of your interactions with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website, refer to the site Privacy Statement.

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Last Updated: 22 August 2008