This report builds on the 2015 ASPI Special Report, Defence science and innovation: an affordable strategic advantage. It takes into account recent domestic and international R&D policy developments and considers trends in relation to whole-of-government national security innovation.

To inform consideration about progress since 2015, a joint ASPI – Australian Industry Group (AI Group) survey was undertaken in 2018 of companies, universities and research entities about R&D in support of defence, intelligence and domestic security interests.