Australia Funds Quantum Technology Demonstration Projects
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Insider Brief Australia’s Critical Technologies Challenge Program (CTCP) is providing stage 2 funding to quantum-related projects as part of a broader $36 million grant initiative supporting solutions to national challenges. Eight round 1 stage 1 projects have progressed to stage 2, including awards of $2.4 million to Loughan Technology Group, $1.1 million to La Trobe University, and $1.2 million to Miniprobes. The CTCP aligns with the National Quantum Strategy and the Future Made in Australia plan to support innovation, digital capability, and high-tech manufacturing. Photo from Pexels by Erik Mclean.
The Critical Technologies Challenge Program (CTCP) provides up to $36 million in grant funding to test and demonstrate solutions to market-led challenges of national significance using quantum technologies, the Australian Government’s Department of Industry, Science and Resources reported. The program operates in two stages, with stage 1 offering up to $500,000 to fund feasibility projects and stage 2 providing up to $5 million to demonstrate proof of concept for projects progressing from stage 1. The CTCP aligns with the National Quantum Strategy, which aims to foster a vibrant and resilient innovation ecosystem that can harness emerging technologies for the benefit of all Australians, the department reported. The program also aligns with the Future Made in Australia plan by backing Australian-led projects that deliver innovations in science and digital capability, and by nurturing quantum capabilities to strengthen Australia’s high-tech manufacturing base. Here’s who got the cash and what for: Optimise the performance, sustainability, and security of energy networks ApplicantProject partnersProject titleDemonstrator fundingFlinders UniversityEfficientsee Pty LtdMacquarie UniversityUniversity of South AustraliaZeco Australian Energy Solutions Pty LtdA Quantum Computing-Based Demonstrator for Remote Community Energy System$1,157,530La Trobe UniversityAQ Intelligence Pty LtdFujitsu Australia LtdNEXTDC LimitedUniversity of Western AustraliaQuantum Enhanced Optimisation for Energy Efficient Data Centres$1,110,213 Improve medical imaging and medical sensors to support diagnosis, treatment of disease and monitoring activities inside the human body ApplicantProject partnersProject titleDemonstrator fundingMiniprobes Pty LtdCentral Adelaide Local Health Network IncorporatedThe University of AdelaideScaling Quantum Optical imaging for fast, efficient Assessment of Diabetes$1,200,000The University of SydneyMicro-X LtdRoyal Melbourne Institute of TechnologySouth Eastern Sydney Local Health DistrictThe University of WollongongQuantum CT for Cancer Diagnosis in All Australian Clinics$1,492,000The University of WollongongElekta Pty LimitedSouth Eastern Sydney Local Health DistrictThe University of SydneyA Quantum Photon Counting Linac for Advanced Image Guided Radiotherapy$1,000,000University of MelbourneAxol Bioscience LtdChromos Laboratories Pty. Ltd.Quantum Diamond Foundry Pty LtdTessara Therapeutics Pty LtdQuantum-enabled Platform for Neurological Drug Development$2,118,901 Optimise and reduce the impact of resource exploration, extraction, and mineral processing ApplicantProject partnersProject titleDemonstrator fundingLoughan Technology Group Pty LimitedABx Group LimitedAustralian Rare Earths LimitedThe University of AdelaideQuantum Optical Sensing for Mine-site Detection of Rare-Earth Elements$2,372,820Orica Australia Pty LtdDepartment Of DefenceSyndetic Pty. Ltd.The University of QueenslandMagnetic through-earth Communications for Mining$2,260,563 Sources involve $12.7 million to support innovative quantum technology projects and Critical Technologies Challenge Program Round 1 Stage 2 successful applicants.
Mohib Ur Rehman LinkedIn Mohib has been tech-savvy since his teens, always tearing things apart to see how they worked. His curiosity for cybersecurity and privacy evolved from tinkering with code and hardware to writing about the hidden layers of digital life. Now, he brings that same analytical curiosity to quantum technologies, exploring how they will shape the next frontier of computing. Share this article: