The federal government will fund exploratory quantum work in biosecurity, health, transport and energy networks with up to $18 million in a bid to develop the local sector and pull the technology into the mainstream.
On Wednesday, challenges for the second round of the Critical Technologies Challenge Program (CTCP) were announced ahead of applications opening in a month.
The first round was run earlier this year and funded 14 research and industry consortiums to conduct feasibility studies in areas like medical imaging, autonomous systems, mining and mineral processing.
The program funds the initial cohort’s studies with up to $500,000 each before down selecting for larger grants up to $5 million for demonstrator projects.
The second and final round of the CTCP has been allocated $18 million and set four new challenges:
- Improve biosecurity outcomes by enhancing the detection of invasive pests or diseases, and cargo inspection processes
- Improve life expectancy, health outcomes and access to health technology for First Nations peoples
- Optimise transport routes, logistics and supply chain operations
- Optimise the performance, sustainability and security of energy networks
Applications are open to groups with at least one Australian industry-based partner and one Australian research organisation.
The program was announced in the 2023 budget and is intended to stimulate demand for quantum, demonstrate its potential and drive investment.
“This program is about working with industry to target specific uses for quantum that will bring those benefits,” Industry minister Ed Husic said in a statement.
“Australia’s quantum know-how is world-leading and these projects are a great demonstration of how these technologies can be put to work for Australians – from improving First Nations health outcomes to strengthening our energy networks.”
Applications for the second round open January 15.
The CTCP is part of Australia’s national quantum strategy, which the government says has helped crowd in at least $179.0 million in private investment since its launch.
Public investment has surged past $1.1 billion in that time, thanks mainly to the Albanese government’s backing of PsiQuantum.
The deal caused a storm in the Australian quantum community when the federal government partnered with the former Queensland state government to deliver a $940 million investment in California-based startup PsiQuantum.
Earlier this week the National Reconstruction Fund tipped $13 million into Canberra firm Quantum Brilliance, while Google claimed a chip breakthrough it claims overcomes a key challenge in error correction.
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