Funding to develop solutions for market-led challenges using quantum technologies

[Black panel appears with white writing: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following video may contain images of people who have died.]

[Music starts. The opening page shows a purple panel with the title in the lower left corner: Dr Cathy Foley AO, Australia’s Chief Scientist, Jan 2021 to Dec 2024.]

Dr Foley is speaking to the camera: The Australian Government has set 4 Quantum Challenges for round 2 of the Critical Technologies Challenge Program.

[A white panel with a faint grey striped pattern near the edges appears. Text appears:

Priority areas:

• Biosecurity (graphic of a purple cargo ship over 2 wavy red lines appears above text)
• Energy (graphic of 2 purple high voltage towers appears above text with connecting red power lines with a small yellow lightning bolt on each tower)
• Transport (4 graphics appear above the text connected by purple lines moving in a circle, clockwise; red location pinpoint, purple and red cargo ship, red plane, and purple and red truck)
• First Nations Health (graphic of a purple heart with a white lifeline in the middle appears above text)]

Dr Foley says: Challenges fall in priority areas of biosecurity, energy, transport and health outcomes for First Nations peoples.

[An image appears of Dr Foley with a purple background. She is speaking to the camera]

Dr Foley: I encourage industry and research partners to team up and apply for up to half a million dollars to test the feasibility of your quantum solution.

[A white panel with a faint grey striped pattern near the edges appears. Text appears: Apply for up to $500k feasibility funding to test your quantum solution.]

[Image moves back to Dr Foley speaking to the camera with a purple background]

Dr Foley: If your feasibility project is successful, I'm advised you will be invited to apply for up to $5 million in demonstrator funding to help progress your quantum solution to market.

[A white panel with a faint grey striped pattern near the edges appears. Text appears: Successful applicants will be invited to apply for up to $5m demonstrator funding.]

[An image appears of Dr Foley with a purple background. She is speaking to the camera]

Dr Foley: This is more than just a call for ideas. It's about turning concepts into commercial solutions for adoption by innovative Australian businesses, their customers and the community.

[A white panel with a faint grey striped pattern near the edges appears. A purple graphic of a person appears turning their head from the left side to front with a thin red line circling around them once and disappears. More graphics appear including from top left clockwise. These are a heart with a white lifeline in the middle; red location pinpoint, purple and red cargo ship, red plane, and purple and red truck; microscope; electricity towers; tractor; stethoscope; 3 people above a world globe; brain; bacteria, and a cargo ship over 2 wavy lines.]

Dr Foley says: This is more than just a call for ideas. It's about turning concepts into commercial solutions for adoption by innovative Australian businesses, their customers and the community. Quantum technology will transform the way we live and work and solve some of our most significant national challenges. It's a great time to get involved and help capitalise on Australia's world leading research to grow our quantum industry and benefit all Australians.

While Dr Foley is speaking these clips appear:

• 2 quantum computers rotating against a black background
• machine with interchanging red and green lasers
• motorway with blue laser lines connecting moving vehicles
• 2 scientists in white lab coats and face masks looking through microscopes. Behind them sits another scientist in a white lab coat
• a doctor in a white lab coat presses a button, moving a person lying down into an MRI machine
• amber bottles moving clockwise on a quick automation bottle-filling machine
• a white truck driving on a highway surrounded by open fields at sunset, with 2 round blue glowing circles moving outwards from it
• a man and woman smile while holding a baby together, standing in a corner with white walls behind them
• a man and woman hugging and smiling with a bush background
• wind turbines rotating with green grassy fields and mountains behind
• 2 large cargo ships docked at a busy port, surrounded by stacks of colourful shipping containers and a red crane, with the ocean and coastline in the background
• a tractor spraying crops in a green field, surrounded by glowing green circles with a forest in the background
• a man and woman wearing white hardhats with illuminated lines appearing around them
• a row of connected high voltage towers with glowing red and blue lights travelling along the lines, set against trees and a sunrise.

[An image appears of Dr Foley with a purple background. She is speaking to the camera]

Dr Foley: Get ready to apply for funding to test the feasibility of your solution through the Critical Technologies Challenge Program. Applications will open soon.

[A white panel with a purple shape in the top left corner appears with the text: The Australian Government, Department of Industry, Science and Resources grey crest and logo appear in stack format to the left. Purple text appears to the right of this logo: Critical Technologies Challenge Program.]

[A white panel with a faint grey striped pattern near the edges appears with the text: Access the full grant guidelines and learn more at business.gov.au/CTCP2]

End of transcript

SLIDE 1: Welcome slide

Hello and welcome to a presentation on the Critical Technologies Challenge Program Round 2 Stage 2 Demonstrator, preparing your application.

My name is Pete, I am a Senior Policy Officer with the Critical Technologies Branch at the Department of Industry, Science and Resources.

This presentation has been prepared to assist you to submit a high quality, competitive application for CTCP Round 2 Stage 2 Demonstrator grant funding.

It offers practical tips for preparing a strong application, with clearly articulated project intentions.

[Slide descriptor: Introduction slide for Critical Technologies Challenge Program Round 2 Stage 2 Demonstrator program with generic industrial buildings landscape picture on right side.]

SLIDE 2: Acknowledgement of Country Slide

I'd like to begin by acknowledging the Turrbal people as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which I'm speaking from today in Brisbane. We acknowledge First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians and Lore Keepers of the oldest living culture and pay respects to their Elders past and present. We extend that respect to First Nations Peoples watching today. 

[Slide descriptor: Heading, Acknowledgement of Country, yellow circle art top left and enlarged version in a dark blue on right side of slide.]

SLIDE 3: Tips for preparing a strong application for Round 2 Stage 2 

Let’s begin with some tips for preparing a strong application. If you follow these tips, you will hopefully be better placed to prepare a clear and competitive application, help assessors understand your proposal, and give yourself the best chance of securing funding.

This advice includes feedback provided by CTCP assessment committee members.

Your application will address one of these four challenges – biosecurity, First Nations health, logistics or energy. It outlines your intent to obtain and spend public funds, to achieve highly technical project outcomes, that have not been delivered before.

In addition to this presentation, you can also find helpful information on preparing a grant agreement on business.gov.au/grants and programs/check when you’re ready to apply for a grant (listed on the slide).

[Slide descriptor: Heading, Tips for preparing a strong application for Round 2 Stage 2. Graphics of boat with cargo to represent Biosecurity. Graphic of pulsing heart shape to represent First Nations Health. Graphic of an aeroplane, truck, boat with cargo and a location point with a line progressing between them to represent Logistics. Graphics of electrical posts to represent Energy. Stylised lines in bottom right corner.]

SLIDE 4: CTCP program goals, quantum technologies and TRL

The CTCP aims to deliver the government’s objectives, identified under the objectives and intended outcomes subheadings that can be found on Pages 6, 7 and 8 of the grant opportunity guidelines.

This program seeks projects that will use quantum technology to solve a market-led challenge. In this case, Quantum technology, is technology whose functionality employs quantum behaviours, including, but not limited to, quantisation, quantum entanglement, superposition, and quantum tunnelling. This definition is also explained on page 8 of the grant opportunity guidelines.

In your application, it’s important you explicitly state the quantum technology used in your project. Not all of the assessment committee members are versed in quantum technology – make it easy for them.

The Assessment Committee includes quantum experts who may understand the complexities of your project. However, the Assessment Committee also draws from a range of experts, and your application needs to be easily understood. Please write for a broad audience and avoid unnecessary technical jargon.

At this stage of the CTCP, your technology is expected to reach a Technology Readiness Level or TRL of at least 6 or 7. Page 8 of the Grant opportunity guidelines refers to a definition of the TRLs. In other words, your project is expected to develop a prototype system at scale, to validate and demonstrate the technology, and to trial it in a relevant operational environment. Be clear in your claims that achieving this TRL can be done within the timeframe and the budget you are proposing.

[Slide descriptor: Heading, CTCP program goals, quantum technologies and TRL. Stylized lines in bottom right corner.]

SLIDE 5: CTCP Grant amount and duration

When you are preparing your application, consider the project timeline. There is a maximum of 15 months to complete the project and the clock starts from the approved Project Start date, which must be on or after the date the grant agreement is executed by the Commonwealth. It is important to factor in any additional time when development, testing, site access, regulatory approvals, visas or other approvals outside your organisation are required.

Also consider the attachments you need to include with your application especially the time required to obtain attachments from your partners. Some of these may take time to obtain, particularly if someone is on leave or a position is vacant, so ensure you have enough time for this too.

The minimum grant amount you can apply for is $1 million, and the maximum is $5 million. It’s important to clearly justify the amount you’re requesting — just because up to $5 million is available doesn’t mean you need to apply for the full amount. Focus on explaining the costs and demonstrating value for money that’s appropriate for your project.

Eligible expenditure is outlined in Attachment A on page 33 of the grant opportunity guidelines. This section also highlights where there are limits on certain types of costs, so it’s worth reviewing it carefully.

You’ll need to download the Excel project budget template from business.gov.au. This spreadsheet aligns with the budget information required in the online application form, so please make sure all figures are entered correctly and reflect eligible project costs.

Within the spreadsheet, there’s a Budget tab that asks for a more detailed breakdown of Labour and Travel costs. Please ensure this tab is completed in full.

At the end of the project, an independent financial audit of eligible expenditure is required. The good news is that this cost can be included in your project budget.

[Slide descriptor: Heading, CTCP grant amount and duration. Stylized lines in bottom right corner.]

SLIDE 6: CTCP Assessment Criteria

When responding to the selection criteria, it’s important to write directly to each point. Each criterion has an overall score, and each subpoint contributes to that score. To maximise your chances, make sure every point is clearly addressed so you don’t miss out on any available marks.

In your application, please take care to cover the following:

National benefits

Clearly explain the national benefits of your project. Assessors are looking to understand how your project will benefit Australia more broadly — for example, its contribution to the economy, job creation, skills development, and benefits to the community. This should go beyond commercial returns or company profitability.

Support for Australian quantum sector

Describe how your project supports and strengthens the Australian quantum ecosystem. This includes the impact your project will have, as well as any existing connections or collaborations you already have within the local quantum sector.

Domestic Expertise

Outline how you will engage and develop local or national expertise. Wherever possible, focus on building capability within Australia rather than relying on overseas expertise, and explain how this will be achieved.

End-users

Explain how end-users will be involved in the project. This might include partnering with end-users, codesigning aspects of the project, or embedding them within the development process.

Resources

Describe the resources you have access to deliver the project and support its commercialisation. Set out a clear and realistic pathway to market that matches the maturity of the technology. Detail the key steps involved. It might help to explain who on the project team will be responsible for driving this work if those people have particular skills in this area.

Diversity and First Nations engagement

Applicants are expected to go beyond high-level intent and outline specific, practical actions that support First Nations participation and gender equity in the quantum industry. Strong responses identify tangible opportunities such as targeted recruitment, traineeships, research placements, mentoring, skills-based training, procurement from First Nations businesses, or pathways into longer-term employment. Assessors are looking for evidence of sustainable capability building rather than one-off engagement, and for initiatives intentionally designed to reduce barriers for underrepresented groups. To be competitive, this criterion requires a thoughtful and substantial response — a “tick the box” approach will not be sufficient.

Competitor analysis and market differentiation

Explain how your project outperforms existing options and what sets it apart from similar technologies already in the market.

In simple terms, why is your solution better than what currently exists?

Quantum component

Clearly identify the quantum elements of your project (for example, single photon detectors, quantum dots, tunnelling mechanisms, and so on). It may be relevant to specify who within the project team are the quantum experts and outline their relevant expertise but also remember your application word limits.

Intellectual Property (IP) and retention in Australia

Describe your proposed IP arrangements, including how IP will be retained in Australia, how ownership will be clearly managed, and your approach to licensing. It may be relevant for your application to identify who within the project team will be responsible for overseeing IP matters and why.

You are encouraged to draw on support from IP Australia. Useful information and guidance can be found at www.ipaustralia.gov.au/understanding-IP.

[Slide descriptor: Heading, CTCP assessment criteria. Stylised lines in bottom right corner.]

SLIDE 7: CTCP General Recommendations

To help the committee assess your application against the selection criteria, we recommend keeping the following in mind:

Be clear and concise. Try not to repeat the same information across assessment criteria— each one is looking for something slightly different, so tailor your responses accordingly.

Support your claims with evidence. Wherever possible, back up what you’re saying with examples, data, or references. This helps demonstrate to the assessor that your project represents a solid and well considered investment. Avoid generalisations and vague or unsupported claims in your application. Assessors must recommend public funding and be able to justify that recommendation, so you should provide clear evidence to support your claims.

Take the time to review your application. A final check for spelling, terminology, and figures can make a big difference and helps ensure your application reads as polished and professional.

Be specific when referring to attachments. Let the assessor know exactly where to look (for example, page 15, sixth bullet point) so they can easily find the information you’re referencing.

Clearly label your attachments. Where possible, title attachments using the same names as in the application form — this makes their purpose immediately clear and easier to assess.

Check that all attachments are uploaded correctly. Keep file sizes in mind: each attachment must be no larger than 2MB, with a total limit of 20MB across all attachments.

Write for a general audience. There’s no need to overwhelm the assessment committee with technical jargon. Committee members may come from a range of industry backgrounds and not necessarily from your specific field or a research environment.

Explain acronyms the first time you use them. Please expand acronyms when they first appear in the application, rather than relying on the reader to search through attachments for definitions.

[Slide descriptor: Heading, CTCP general recommendations. Image of 6 people talking in front window with Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background, looking at a computer and pointing to paperwork. Stylized lines in bottom right corner.]

SLIDE 8: CTCP Quantum and relevant contacts

If you have any questions, please email digitalprograms@industry.gov.au.

You can find additional guidance for preparing your application in the Round 2 Stage 1 Application Information Pack, available on the CTCP page at business.gov.au. You can also find helpful information on business.gov.au, forward slash, grants and programs, forward slash, check if you’re ready to apply for a grant.

Thank you for your time going through this presentation, we hope it helps you to develop a high-quality competitive application.

[Slide descriptor: Heading, CTCP Quantum. Any questions email digitalprograms@industry.gov.au. Additional writing information at business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/check-if-youre-ready-to-apply-for-a-grant. Explanation of quantum. Quantum science describes the behaviour of matter and light on the atomic and subatomic scale. Quantum behaviours – particularly quantisation, superposition and entanglement – can be used to build advanced technologies that would otherwise seem impossible. (National Quantum Strategy and grant guidelines.) Image of stylised graphic of a right angle with lines and dots. Stylized lines in bottom right corner.]