Australia New Zealand Earth Observation Open Call
SmartSat CRC and the New Zealand Space Agency are seeking to contribute to the growth of the space industry across Australia and New Zealand by developing new capability and expertise in the space sector through the advancement of innovative R&D, as well as through workforce development.
This investment will lead to:
- enduring partnerships between Australian and New Zealand researchers to establish platforms for larger-scale future research collaborations, help develop talent, joint expertise, support R&D initiatives, and enhance business development;
- develop scientific capacity in alignment with industry and end user needs to address major environmental, economic, and social challenges for both countries; and
- foster collaborations which can profile, leverage and expand on Australia and New Zealand’s space advantages such as existing capabilities, southern hemisphere location, clear skies, varied topography, modern regulatory system, reputation for innovation and entrepreneurship, breadth of scientific expertise.
Proposals must address one of the three thematic areas:
Crops
Agriculture monitoring for enhanced farming practices
Proposals will support the enhancement of farming practices by designing a monitoring system to better understand farm health and yield through satellite imagery and/or drone data, to augment existing models or ground sensor inputs.
Indigenous
Supporting iwi taketake-Indigenous communities through EO technologies
Proposals will support iwi taketake-Indigenous communities in their unique relationship with the taiao-environment through the use of EO technologies. Proposals must be by or in genuine partnership with iwi taketake-Indigenous communities and embody the principles of Vision Mātauranga and/or the ‘Caring for Country’ principle.
Pasture Biomass
Advancing pastural condition and biomass mapping
Proposals will use satellite remote sensing and data fusion (from multiple sources) to advance the condition of pastures and other biomasses that are subject to challenging conditions.
Successful applicants are eligible for funding up to AUD$100,000 per feasibility study for Australian-based research activities, or up to NZD$100,000 per feasibility study for New Zealand-based research activities. This call is for jointly prepared submissions that involve at least one New Zealand-based and one Australian-based research organisation.
Applications must be submitted to [email protected] in Word or PDF format on the below document. The call for funding applications is now open, with submissions closing 5pm (AEST) on Friday, 6 September 2024.