DIGR Voucher Program
About the Program
The Defence Industry Growth & Resilience (DIGR) voucher program will support the strengthening and resilience of defence businesses by enabling businesses to scale and compete to deliver sovereign capability to our Australian Defence Force and our allies.
DIGR will provide cash funding to support projects or activities conducted within your business designed to strengthen your business’ position in the defence industry. These initiatives must align with DIGR activity stream(s) and demonstrate a clear focus on growth, resilience and enhancing your business’s role within the defence sector.
Missed us live? View the program information session below.
What activities can funding be used for?
The three streams will support industry-led projects and activities in the following areas:
Business Uplift
- To help businesses increase their defence readiness and develop and execute strategies for company growth, products, markets or business resilience. *SME Only
Technical & Testing
- To help businesses to undertake design, prototyping, testing and evaluation, validation and verification, demonstration and trials, and de-risking activities required to commercialise new defence or dual-use products, processes or services.
Workforce Connect
- To support workforce talent engagement and retention, talent attraction, upskilling and training, mobilisation of UNSW, UoA or TAFE students, graduates and Defence veterans into the defence industry.
EXAMPLE activities
The voucher can be used to supplement the cost of a project or activity that supports growth and resilience within your business. The focus of the project/activity needs to align with increasing the business’s competitiveness in the defence industry.
Any growth or resilience activities that align with your strategies or plans, and are within Defence Trailblazer’s remit, can be considered. Each stream has a list of suggested activities:
BUSINESS UPLIFT
Develop and/or execute:
- product development and/or R&D strategies
- a company growth strategy
- an export strategy
- IP protection strategy
- commercialisation pathway development
- a new dual-use or international market(s) strategy
- branding and/or marketing strategy development targeted at Defence customers, primes, and government stakeholders
Uplift Defence readiness:
- prepare a Defence market strategy
- assist with the cost of employee security clearances
- achieve or upgrade DISP membership level
- achieve ISO27001 certification, or other defence related certification
Uplift business resilience:
- business, Defence, and/or investment readiness
- pricing strategies
- cyber uplift
- legal and compliance support tailored to Defence collaborations.
TECHNICAL & TESTING
- To access equipment, facilities or expertise within the Defence Trailblazer Proto-Lab Network – including equipment, facilities or expertise within:
- the University of Adelaide or UNSW
- Defence Trailblazer quantum and electronics bonders, robotic additive manufacturing, and optics freeform generator equipment packages operated by CSIRO
- External parties who have joined the Proto-Lab Network as a supplier
- To access equipment, facilities or expertise outside the Defence Trailblazer Proto-Lab Network if the required equipment, facilities or expertise is not available inside the Network
- To conduct demonstrations and/or trials
- To purchase equipment and consumables required for the project or activity
- For other related expenses such as travel, postage, design services, etc.
WORKFORCE CONNECT
Vouchers can support businesses by providing financial support for the hiring of student interns, post-docs, graduates, academics or upskilling new and existing staff.
- Student internship placement
- Hire UoA, UNSW and/or TAFE student, graduate or academic talent
- Upskilling and training your staff
- Veteran employment.
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Defence Industry Growth & Resilience (DIGR) Voucher Program Applications Open | Mon 18 Aug 2025 |
| Applications Close | Fri 12 Sep 2025 |
| Applicant advised of outcome | by Fri 3 Oct 2025 |
| Activity Period | Project or activity must be completed by Mon 30 Nov 2026 |
Additional rounds of the DIGR Voucher Program may be offered, subject to the availability of funding.
ELIGIBILITY
WHO CAN APPLY
DIGR is open to all Defence Trailblazer industry partners, defined as industry partners that have contributed cash/or in-kind to a Defence Trailblazer R&D project or a Workforce, Innovation or Culture activity including DINAMIC program participants (from Entrepreneurial Foundations for Defence, High Growth Incubation or Technical Incubation programs).
Proposed activities may be extensions of related work undertaken through TDA, ASIC, Cyber Security Voucher Program or DINAMIC programs, or may be new activities.
* Defence Trailblazer reserves the right to invite other companies to submit applications.
COMPANY CRITERIA
- A valid/current ABN / ACN
- Based in Australia
- Small to Medium Enterprise (Business Uplift stream only)
- Public Liability Insurance (Workforce Connect stream | Internships only)
Funding
FUNDING MODEL
Defence Trailblazer will provide the industry partner with a cash voucher funding to assist with their project/activity.
The funding model will provide $1 for every $3 of industry contribution, to a maximum of 25% of the project/activity cost. That is, for every $1 of cash provided by Defence Trailblazer, we require a ratio of $3 cash and/or in-kind equivalent contribution from industry.
There is no specific requirements for the proportion of cash expenditure and in-kind contribution that makes up to the industry contribution. For example, an industry’s contribution may be all in-kind rather than cash. However, please note that for student intern placements under the Workforce Connect stream, industry contribution(s) must include cash to cover 75% of student wages.
If there is university involvement in the project, then the university contribution will not be considered in the industry co-contribution calculations.
FUNDING LIMITS
The maximum voucher amount per application is $100,000 or up to 25 percent of the project/activity cost. Applicants can apply for more than one stream at a time.
Projects and/or activities exceeding this amount will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Contact programs@dtb.solutions prior to application to discuss your application and project/activity needs.
RESTRICTIONS
DIGR voucher funding cannot be used for the following:
- Projects or activities that replicate activities are already funded through other Defence Trailblazer initiatives.
- Projects or activities that are already funded through alternative grant agreements.
- Projects or activities funded through vouchers cannot be retrospective.
Application
Submit an application using the online DIGR Application form, including:
- detailed project costing using the provided template
- outline all in-kind contributions
- provide any supporting documentation (e.g. quotes)
- demonstrate that industry funding obligations are met (1:3).
Business Directory Disclaimer: The businesses listed below are suggested providers who may assist you in preparing your DIGR application. You are under no obligation to use their services. However, they can be contacted to obtain quotes or supporting information to include in your application.
-
ADCG
Security Clearance Sponsorship | Security Cleared Talent
-
Adams Pluck
Intellectual Property Advisors | Patents, Trademarks, Designs
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Aero PM
Test and Evaluation | Verification and Validation
-
Axant
Strategy and Implementation | Financial Analysis
-
Catalyst Cyber
Governance, Engineering, Testing | Digital, Data, Delivery
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Digital Village
Software Integration Services | Digital Capability Uplift
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DuMonde International
Defence Industry Consulting | Professional Development Training
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Lawforce Alpha
Legal Advice | Strategic Consulting
-
Nvisia
Uplift Defence Readiness | Uplift Business Resilience
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Paloma
Software | Funding
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Phase
Strategy & Investability | Defence Industry Resilience
-
Providence Consulting
Strategic Business Transformation | Defence Readiness
-
RD Consulting
Business Operations | Branding + Marketing
-
Salus
Venture Capital | Startup Advice / Support
-
Talent Academy
Presentation Skills Training | Pitch Coaching
-
Thales Cyber Services
Cyber Security Services | Consulting
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What does DIGR voucher program funding cover?
DIGR voucher program will provide funding for growth and resilience projects or activities across three activity streams; Business uplift, Technical & Testing and Workforce Connect. For more detailed list of activities within each stream, refer to the DIGR Guidelines.
Do you have to be an existing Defence Trailblazer partner to apply for DIGR?
DIGR is aimed at our current Industry partners, as defined as industry partners that have contributed cash/or in-kind to a Defence Trailblazer R&D project or a Workforce, Innovation or Culture activity.
There may be special circumstances where non-Defence Trailblazer industry partners are invited to apply.
How do I apply?
The application will be submitted through a Smartsheet form. When the voucher program is available, the link to the smartsheet form will appear at the top of the DIGR webpage.
Where can I find the Project Costing Template?
The Project Costing Template is available from the DIGR webpage and via this link.
How many applications can I submit?
A single application encompassing multiple activities across all streams will be considered, provided it supports one unified objective.
Is there a minimum project or activity size?
While there is no minimum project or activity size. Successful proposals must clearly demonstrate how the outcome will build growth and resilience for the organisation within the defence industry.
As the DIGR voucher will fund the project/activity to a maximum of 25%, industry partners must ensure their 75% contribution of cash and/or in-kind is met.
Example voucher amounts based on project totals:
| Total Project/Activity Cost | Industry Contribution (Cash or In-kind) | DIGR Voucher |
|---|---|---|
| $20,000 | $15,000 | $5,000 |
| $40,000 | $30,000 | $10,000 |
| $100,000 | $75,000 | $25,000 |
| $200,000 | $150,000 | $50,000 |
| $400,000 | $300,000 | $100,000 |
What is considered industry contribution?
Industry contribution is the expenditure in both cash expenditure and in-kind that the industry partner will contribute to the project/activity to reach the proposed outcome. You can view our In-kind Contribution Guidelines for more information.
What is considered cash expenditure?
Cash expenditure is the amount of cash the industry partner will need to expend on the project/activity to reach the proposed outcome.
How much funding can I request?
Each application can request up to 25% of project cost or $100,000 of DIGR funding per application. The funding amount requested must met the minimum ratio of $1 DIGR cash to $3 Industry cash expenditure and/or in-kind.
How is GST considered?
As the DIGR voucher program is considered a grant, the amounts provided will be excluding GST
Calculations of project cost will be made on the total excluding GST.
What type of activities can I request funding for?
The activities on the DIGR webpage are suggestions. All activities that reflect growth and resilience within your business will be considered.
Can I use any facility for the activity within the Technical & Testing stream?
While there is a preference to use facilities within the Proto-Lab Network, we understand there may be a requirement to look outside this network and will consider all applications.
If you need assistance or introduction into our Proto-Lab Network, you can contact programs@dtb.solutions
Do I need to source all quotes for services, or will Defence Trailblazer assist?
All quotes for goods and services required to achieve the outcome in your proposal/application must be provided when you submit your application. You will need to seek these quotes.
CONTACT US
If you would like to discuss your application, please contact the Defence Trailblazer team at programs@dtb.solutions.
Get in touch