Trailblazer defence program formalised
The Defence Trailblazer for Concept to Sovereign Capabilityprogram has taken another step in being formalised with the conditions of grant being finalised and the announcement of the board members.
It is estimated that the project, a partnership between the University of ˲Ʊ and UNSW Sydney, will have a net economic benefit to the Australian economy of $1.5 billion over 10 years.
“The Defence Trailblazer program is a once in a generation opportunity to strengthen the collaboration between defence, academia and industry whilst accelerating research and commercialisation,” said Dr Sanjay Mazumdar, Executive Director, Defence Trailblazer.
“The program aims to create a new trust-based cross-sector culture founded on shared risk, shared problem solving, shared success, and a shared sense of strategic urgency.
“Formalisation of the grant enables the Defence Trailblazer team to commence work on various projects within the program that will focus on R&D, the defence workforce, innovation, and culture.”
Endorsed in April 2022 with a $50 million grant from the Federal Government’s Department of Education the program will assist the country’s economy which is recovering from the effects of pandemic.
The Australian Department of Education’s First Assistant Secretary for Research, Dom English, said that Trailblazer Universities is an ambitious program that encourages collaboration across universities, industry and government, and will turn Australia’s world-class research into real-world innovations while building a stronger culture of engagement in our universities.
“There is a signif