The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) and the University of Adelaide have announced scholarships for final year students engaged in the study of future technologies for defence and national security applications.

As part of a new Strategic Alliance Agreement signed yesterday, it builds on initial arrangements between both parties that were put in place in early 2004.

DSTO and the university are planning a number of initiatives, including a new centre of expertise in addition to DSTO sponsorship of 10 $500 scholarships for final-year honours students.

DSTO's deputy chief defence scientist for information and weapon systems, Dr Warren Harch said the new agreement allows both organizations to communicate at a strategic level across vital areas of research important to the defence of Australia and national security.

DSTO and the University of Adelaide have collaborated for many years in a number of research areas. In 2003, DSTO established two professorial chairs at the university, one in microwave radar and the other in photonics.

Under the alliance, DSTO and the university also established a Centre of Expertise in Photonics and a Centre of Expertise in Phased Array and Microwave Radar, both founded in 2005.

Through the alliance DSTO has provided research funding of more than $5 million for the professorial chairs as well as postdoctoral research; postgraduate research and numerous projects under the centres of excellence; graduate student projects under a DSTO industry program; and student undergraduate scholarships.