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Defence Science Access Network (DSAN)

Further Information

Is DSAN for you?

DSTO works with industry and the science and technology community to build and enhance Australia’s defence capabilities and to contribute to national wealth.

DSTO seeks to enage with industry.
DSTO seeks to enage with industry.

If you are interested in exploring possibilities for collaborating with DSTO, please consider the following.

If you have:

A product or service that is already commercially available/off the shelf that you wish to sell to Defence.

  1. We suggest you look out for Requests for Tender opportunities in the media or on the Defence Materiel Organisation website; or
  2. Use the Defence Unsolicited Proposals gateway; or
  3. There are a number of industry organisations that may be able to give you guidance on marketing your product to Defence (see Industry Association links in Useful Links page).

A one-off revolutionary idea or adaptation of an existing product/idea.

  1. We suggest you pursue this via the Defence Unsolicited Proposals gateway which has been set up specifically for this purpose; or
  2. Investigate the Capability and Technology Demonstrator (CTD) Program. (see related page on this web site); or
  3. However, if you are engaged in Research & Development and wish to explore whether there may be a Defence aspect to your work, then the Defence Science Access Network (DSAN) is for you.

Other Considerations:

Other things to bear in mind when engaging with DSTO include:

  • DSTO is primarily focused on research for Defence purposes.
  • DSTO spends a considerable proportion of its budget sourcing research and technical support from industry, and other research organisations, particularly universities, through contract R&D, collaborative and commercial arrangements.
  • DSTO is a large and diverse science and technology organisation, active in a range of scientific fields.
  • DSTO’s industry engagements are both national and international, although the primary focus is on Australian industry.
  • Much Defence-related technology is subject to export controls, so that on occasions overseas commercial markets for certain technologies may be limited to particular countries.
  • DSTO may share its research/technology with allied governments.
  • Contract negotiations may be time consuming and the Australian Government requires DSTO to adhere to strict indemnity, liability and IP provisions that SME’s may not be able to meet.