Frequently asked questions

The AustCyber projects fund is a $15 million, three year initiative to help the Australian cyber security industry grow and take ideas global. Over the last 12 months, AustCyber has provided $6.5 million in funding for 10 projects that are making a real contribution to growing Australia's cyber security ecosystem.

In 2019, up to another $8.5 million will be awarded to fund additional industry led projects that deliver on the goals of the Cyber Security Sector Competitiveness Plan.

The Projects Fund has been established to provide matched funding to industry-led projects which address specific merit criteria. Projects may also address a specific sector challenges that seek to provide core infrastructure for the sustained growth of Australia's cyber security sector.

In 2019, up to another $8.5 million will be awarded to fund additional industry led projects that deliver on the goals of the Cyber Security Sector Competitiveness Plan.

The maximum amount of project funds to be awarded through this process is AUD$8,400,000 for this round. Match funding for projects can be between AUD$100,000 and AUD$3,000,000.

The funding amount for each project will be up to 50% of eligible project costs. The amount awarded will be relative to the project size and complexity, and the extent that it meets the merit criteria.

If you are a single entity such as a cyber security start-up or company, then you can apply for the projects fund (see below). If you are a consortium of companies and provided that you meet the key requirements set out below, you can also apply.

The key requirements for a 'Single Entity' are:

1. the entity must operate business in Australia, or principally in Australia, with a valid Australian Business Number (ABN).
2. the entity should be committed in writing to the project prior to the submission of the EOI.
3. the entity can describe, in detail, what the anticipated outcomes of the project are and how they will be measured.
4. the entity is willing to make outcomes of the project accessible to the wider cyber security sector.
5. the entity is willing to sign a funding contract with AustCyber.

2.1 Project duration: Projects must be completed in 12 months unless otherwise agreed with AustCyber.

The key requirements for a 'Consortium' are:

1. Involvement of no less than two independent businesses (drawn from any combination of small to large service, education, or research providers, or simply business partners for the purposes of the solution).
2. All consortium members must operate business in Australia, or principally in Australia, with a valid Australian Business Number (ABN).
3. All consortium members should be committed in writing to the project prior to the submission of the EOI.
4. The consortium can describe, in detail, what each member anticipates the measurable outcome of their contribution to the project will be, together with a statement of anticipated project outcomes and how they will be measured.
5. All consortium members are willing to make outcomes of the project accessible to the wider cyber security sector.
6. A consortium lead is identified and is willing to sign a funding contract with AustCyber and separately with their consortium members.

To be eligible the applicant must:

• have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• be non tax-exempt
• be registered for the Goods and Services Tax (GST)
• be operating as a viable business for a minimum 12 months

and be one of the following entities:

• a company, incorporated in Australia
• an incorporated trustee on behalf of a trust

Joint applications are acceptable, provided there is a lead applicant who is the main driver of the project, and the lead applicant is eligible to apply.

Additional eligibility requirements

Applicants must have access to, or ownership of, the intellectual property (IP) necessary to conduct the Project should it be required.

Project participants must demonstrate the financial capacity to complete the project. This must be demonstrated through the provision of financial evidence during the full application stage of the process. The portion of funding provided by AustCyber Project Funds will be up to 50 per cent of eligible project costs.

To be accepted for funding, applicants will need to address all merit criteria in their EOI application. AustCyber will assess applications against the merit criterion using a scoring framework.

Project Fund EOIs that progress to the full Project Application stage will be asked additional questions that relate to the merit criteria listed below. The amount of detail and supporting evidence the applicant provides should be relative to the project size, complexity and project amount requested. The applicant should provide evidence to support their answers.

As a merit-based program, funding will only be awarded when Project Applications score satisfactorily against all merit criteria at each stage of the process.

Merit Criterion 1

Technology Readiness Level (TRL). The AustCyber Project Fund can be used for early stage development of new technologies and products. Projects should start at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 4 or higher. Projects at a lower TRL will not be considered. Projects can also provide a solution that addresses a specific industry problem. Projects that are addressing an identified industry problem must demonstrate a TRL of no less than 5 and finish at 8 or higher.

If your project proposal is not technical in nature and is therefore unable to demonstrate a TRL then please consult AustCyber at [email protected].

Merit criterion 2

Alignment with the Knowledge Priorities of Australia's Cyber Security Sector Competitiveness Plan. AustCyber led research identified several Knowledge Priorities in line with the current and foreseeable needs and opportunities for industry research and commercialisation in the Australian cyber security sector. These are:

1. Emerging prevention, detection and response technologies
2. Identity, authentication and authorisation in the cyber domain
3. Ensuring security, privacy, trust and ethical use of emerging technologies and services such as
   1. Cloud computing relevant
   2. Cyber-physical systems, including the Internet of Things, robotics, self-driving cars etc.
   3. Machine learning
   4. Big data and data analytics
   5. Mobile applications
4. Approaches to deal with the increasingly 'shared' responsibility of cyber security

Detailed Information on AustCyber Knowledge Priorities can be found here.

Merit criterion 3

National benefit.AustCyber has identified a need to develop certain infrastructure to sustain the growth of the cyber security sector. Applicants must be able to demonstrate how the project proposal will benefit Australia and or the broader Australian cyber security sector after project completion. The Project should have the potential to generate significant spill overs and develop world best commercial activity. Responses should demonstrate:

• The level of potential impact and contribution to the growth of the ecosystem
• Creating a champion for the sector and showcasing Australian capability both domestically and internationally
• Creating a pathway for growth for other cyber security companies
• Level of innovation / emerging technology

There are 5 stages for the project funds:

1. Expressions of Interest (EOI) open for a period of 6 weeks
2. Successful applications pitch to a Industry Advisory Panel
3. Shortlisted EOIs submit full project applications
4. Projects are shortlisted
5. Announcement of successful projects

Applications for projects fund Round 2 will commence end of May with EOIs open for a 6 week period. Depending on the volume and quality of applications, AustCyber anticipates that final announcements of successful projects funds will occur by October 2019.

Yes. AustCyber projects fund provides a matched funding contribution. This means that applications must provide a 50% cash contribution to the value of the overall project.

Eligible expenditure

Project funds may be used for activities directly related to the project, for example:

• equipment development, testing and installation
• software development, testing and deployment
• materials, consumables and laboratory disposables
• salaries and consulting fees directly related to the activities in the project
• travel and accommodation for field activities in Australia
• capital expenditure where the equipment/works are directly related to the project.

Entities that are partly government funded such as Universities and TAFEs may apply to the projects fund provided that they can adequately evidence that their portion of match funding has come from commercial revenue and not from other government funding sources (e.g block grant funding).

Ineligible expenditure

Project funds cannot be used for the following activities:

• indirect capital works of buildings or facilities, including
  • renovations, extensions and fit-out of buildings, unless otherwise agreed in writing with AustCyber
• reimbursement of in-kind contributions, or to pay indirect costs of the Project such as administration costs and rent
• international travel and salaries for international personnel, students or any overseas activities, unless the parties can demonstrate to AustCyber’s satisfaction that the activities are directly related to the Project and cannot otherwise be performed in Australia.

Project funding cannot be used to duplicate funding obtained from federal, state or territory governments but may still be included in the overall project value. Any additional government cash contributions must be matched with equal additional industry cash co-contributions.

No. All EOIs have to go through a check for eligibility and also merit criteria. See FAQ related to these for further information.

AustCyber has established the concept of the “Industry Advisory Panel” to ensure applications for Project funding are appropriately assessed by technical experts in the broader Australian cyber security ecosystem.

Technical advisors will be drawn from a pool of cyber security leaders from the ecosystem including representatives from government, industry, cyber security entrepreneurs, and research institutions.

Advisors on the technical panel will be required to sign Non Disclosure Agreements and Conflict of Interest declarations to ensure that applicant and project IP will be protected.

The role of the Industry Advisory Panel is to provide independent technical expertise in assessing the project funding proposals:

• Stage 1 - the pitching process - review qualified (against agreed criteria) shortlisted applications for Projects Funding and advise AustCyber on the technical merit of potential project as it relates to the alignment of knowledge priorities and applicability of the project outcomes to:

  • Impact and contribution to the growth of the ecosystem
  • Creating a champion" for the sector and showcasing Australian capability both domestically and internationally
  • Creating a pathway for growth for other cyber security companies
  • Return on Investment
  • Level of innovation / emerging technology

• Stage 2 - review final proposals and provide advice to the panel

If you have questions and wish to be consulted on the Project Funds, please email AustCyber at [email protected].

We will endeavour to get back to you as soon as possible.