Expressions of Interest for Project Funding Q&A 

iLAuNCH Second Round Investment Call

Q1. The program is ostensibly for both space and aerospace projects but appears to have a clear preference for the space industry. Can you comment on how projects with little application to space will be treated?

A1. Applications will be judged based on their merit. We have spoken about space and are certainly open to aerospace.

Q2. Is there a maximum project size / funds that are being considered?

A2. There is no maximum project size that would not be considered. However, if you think about risk management in terms of program management, as programs get large, there becomes a risk of them not achieving their objectives by the nature of their size.  We will certainly consider that for very large programs. 

Q3. CSIRO and Swinburne University in Melbourne run a composites TestLab that is suited to running trials to develop the manufacturing process by running trials from early prototype concepts through to mass production capability. Given that CSIRO is a partner for the iLAuNCH program, can this facility be used as part of the grant submission? Obviously, the reason for the question is that Swinburne is not a partner, but I assume that could be managed by CSIRO sub-contracting some of the services to Swinburne.  

A3. You must have an industry partner. These projects are not just research based between research institutions. You must have an industry partner and a domestic partner. ILAuNCH has facilitated access to the efforts funded under the program. We can assist in facilitating access for those facilities outside of iLAuNCH, but we will have to evaluate access agreements on a case-by-case basis.

Q4. If you have multiple project opportunities – would you like us to submit multiple EOI’s? Or a single EOI to encompass and summarise multiple projects, with the project office reaching out for further detail on their project of interest?

A4. Applications for EOI’s from a single organisation should be submitted in a single application, but we may respond to different topics separately. If multiple universities, please split up the application between the three of them. If the topics are disparate, it may make sense to isolate the budgets as appropriate.

Q5. Is it possible for the research partner to transfer the cash from the grant to the industry partner to procure particular elements (e.g. so that they can procure equipment etc. for the research partner more efficiently than going through the university procurement systems?) 

A5. While we review applicants on a case-by-case basis, this is generally acceptable under the program.

Q6. What does a domestic industry party mean? Raytheon Technologies has sites in Australia does that qualify us as a domestic industry partner? 

A6. The proposals must be developed and led by an industry partner who has an ABN or ACN, based in Australia. Project teams must be comprised of at least one industry partner and one research organisation. One of the research organisations needs to be either the University of Southern Queensland, University of South Australia or the Australian National University will need to be a member of the project team. In this question, RTX Australia would be the eligible Australian entity.

Q7. Should the industry partner be pre-defined by the parts or can iLAuNCH help in connecting partners? 

A7. If you require assistance to connect with partners, please contact the iLAuNCH team to further discuss via ilaunch@unisq.edu.au.

Q8. Can the project scope go beyond space or aerospace, such as general manufacturing industry? what is the ratio between in-kind and cash from industry partner? 

A8. If the application falls in the “Advanced Technologies” stream, it is possible to be in the general manufacturing sector.

Q9. Can you expand on what type of in-kind investment is accepted? 

A9. If an industry partner or one of the research partners is using a resource in order to undertake research, we would regard that as being an in-kind investment. However, it does need to be auditable via a financial statement to demonstrate the value of the contribution. For example, staff salaries  could be accessed to facilities that might be intellectual property that is brought in. It can be quite a wide range. The Department of Education has allowed iLAuNCH to include broad range of in-kind that would generally exist with your traditional research grants.

Q10. For industry partners, can they use funding from another grant for this program? 

A10. When operating with funding from Federal Programs, according to the rules of grants in Australia, you cannot leverage funding from one federal program against another. However please come and talk to us about what is the exact situation to assess the individual details.

Q11. What are your thoughts on the alignment with the emergency services of both federal and state governments? 

A11. If a project aligns with fixing Australian problems on the ground through to assets in space and aerospace technologies that is something that can always be explored within the program.

Q12. For the iLAuNCH contribution, could the project team allocate the funds towards both the research partner and the industry partner as best suits the activity being conducted? 

A12. Financially we need to see a plan that’s value for dollar. What does not seem like value for dollar, for example, is if all funds go to the industry partner and does not include the research university. Our aim is to develop partnerships and we will be evaluating each financial plan on a case-by-case basis.

Q13. If we submit an EOI that iLAuNCH generally likes, but there’s something you don’t love in it, will you come back to us to discuss? e.g. budget details 

A13. The better developed your proposal is, the closer it will be to the contract stage if you have covered all the requirements. However there will be opportunity to discuss and refine your proposal.

Q14. Do you anticipate there to be additional material submitted to support the EOI application. 

A14. Yes, upon down-select we expect a negotiations phase as the scope and budgets of the projects are finalised. 

Q15. Can the grant funding be used for capital item e.g. equipment purchase?

A15. Yes.

Q16. How long will the evaluation process take?

A16. Every effort will be made to have a response by Christmas, but it will also depend on how many submissions are received. Industry partners in addition to iLAuNCH executive are on the selection committee and will be looking at a wide range of criteria. Some may focus on technical merit, other areas are the strategic alignment within the program and university partnering.

Q17. What are the steps after the EOI evaluation? 

A17. If your EOI is successful, it will then move to the contracting phase. iLAuNCH will work with you to make sure the project agreement is worked out and in place so that you can get your project underway as quickly as possible.

Q18. How many EOI’s do you plan to select? 

A18. The remaining funds to be allocated will depend on the submissions for the EOI.

Q19. Can you comment on how much remaining funds you have overall for the EOI? 

A19. This is dependent on finalising our existing projects in process. As a ballpark, it is around $15,000,000.