Australian Government Allocates $12.7M AUD ($9M USD) to Industrialize Quantum Prototypes
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Australian Government Allocates $12.7M AUD ($9M USD) to Industrialize Quantum Prototypes The Australian Government has finalized $12.7 million AUD ($9 million USD) in funding for eight projects under Stage 2 of the Critical Technologies Challenge Program (CTCP). This funding round supports the transition of quantum-based solutions from feasibility studies to proof-of-concept demonstrations. Aligned with the National Quantum Strategy, these grants aim to catalyze the industrialization of quantum hardware and software across sectors of national significance, including energy, resources, and healthcare. The program follows a dual-stage structure where participants receive up to $5 million to build working prototypes capable of operating in relevant environments. In the resource exploration sector, Loughan Technology Group Pty Limited received $2.4 million to develop a quantum optical sensor for the real-time detection of rare-earth elements in clay-hosted deposits. This project, partnered with ABx Group Limited, Australian Rare Earths Limited, and The University of Adelaide, utilizes Quantum Novel Fluorescence Analysis (Q-NFA) to quantify economically recoverable minerals. Simultaneously, Orica Australia Pty Ltd was awarded $2.3 million to integrate quantum opto-mechanical sensors into through-earth communications. Collaborating with the Department of Defence, Syndetic Pty Ltd, and The University of Queensland, the initiative focuses on detecting weak magnetic signals to enhance wireless initiating systems in harsh mining environments. Energy optimization projects include a $1.1 million grant to La Trobe University for the development of a hybrid quantum-classical optimization system for data center cooling. The system utilizes the Quantum Walk-Assisted Optimisation Algorithm (QWOA) in partnership with AQ Intelligence Pty Ltd, Fujitsu Australia Ltd, NEXTDC Limited, and the University of Western Australia to reduce operational energy consumption. Additionally, Flinders University received $1.2 million to demonstrate a quantum-based energy management system for remote communities. This project involves Efficientsee Pty Ltd, Macquarie University, the University of South Australia, and Zeco Australian Energy Solutions Pty Ltd to improve reliability and renewable integration in isolated microgrids. Medical sensing and pharmaceutical research efforts are led by the University of Melbourne, which received $2.1 million to develop a quantum-enabled platform for neurological drug discovery. Working with Axol Bioscience Ltd, Chromos Laboratories Pty Ltd, Quantum Diamond Foundry Pty Ltd, and Tessara Therapeutics Pty Ltd, the team is utilizing diamond-based voltage imaging to monitor electrical signals in 3D brain micro-tissues.
Miniprobes Pty Ltd also received $1.2 million to scale quantum optical imaging for diabetes assessment. This project, in collaboration with the Central Adelaide Local Health Network and The University of Adelaide, employs photonic integrated circuits and avalanche photodiodes to miniaturize high-resolution scanners for foot ulcer diagnostics. Advanced diagnostic imaging projects include the University of Sydney’s Quantum CT, which received $1.5 million to develop a portable 3D X-ray device. The system, supported by Micro-X Ltd, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), and the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, utilizes carbon nanotube arrays for X-ray generation via quantum tunneling. Furthermore, The University of Wollongong was awarded $1 million to integrate a quantum photon-counting detector into radiotherapy systems. Partnered with Elekta Pty Limited, the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, and the University of Sydney, the project aims to achieve high-resolution soft tissue contrast for adaptive cancer treatment. Consult the official funding announcement here, the detailed project directory here, or the grant recipient data here. February 22, 2026 Mohamed Abdel-Kareem2026-02-22T16:36:36-08:00 Leave A Comment Cancel replyComment Type in the text displayed above Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.