Cyber Security Digital Government Innovation

Geospatial intelligence projects gets funding from Defence industry

Aiza Mabayag Nov 25, 2020

2 min read

Defence industry companies all over the country are invited to apply for funding to support the provision of geospatial intelligence products. These geospatial intelligence products are to be oriented towards Defence and Government customers.

The Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation (AGO) partnered up with a Victorian not-for-profit company to deliver the second instalment of a program supporting the development of Australia’s vital geospatial intelligence and cybersecurity capabilities.

The AGO Analytics Labs program is designed to directly deliver insights to the AGO. The program aims to complement other successful Defence innovation initiatives like the Defence Innovation Hub.

Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the partnership with FrontierSI intends to improve AGO’s understanding of modern artificial intelligence and data analytics for mapping and imagery.

“This is about establishing new frameworks for engagement, strengthening partnerships and raising the awareness of industry and academia to the challenges and capability requirements of our geospatial community,” Minister Price said.

The program was expanded after its success during its pilot in 2019. The current part of the program is set to include at least six potential sub-contracts. These sub-contracts are valued at up to $150,000 each and are split over two challenge rounds.

The first round of the program addresses three unclassified and emergent capability challenges through small-scale research projects and concept demonstrators.

This marks the start of the proposal submission period of the second iteration of the AGO Analytics Labs program. All of the first round responses are due back to FrontierSI on 11 December 2020.

Meanwhile, sub-contracts through FrontierSi will be awarded in January 2021. These sub-contracts will run for about six months.

The program will involve participants who are working with AGO. Subject matter experts are expected to demonstrate the use of modern technologies in the provision of geospatial‑intelligence products.

“I am pleased to invite innovative Australian and New Zealand companies to submit project proposals that explore novel solutions to unclassified, but pertinent, challenges. AGO’s partnership with industry experts, such as FrontierSI, reinforces the Morrison Government’s commitment to supporting Australia’s world-leading and critical innovation sector, ” Minister Price said.