Next Generation Quantum Graduates Program Scholarships

Next Generation Quantum Graduates Program Scholarship (NGQGP)

This scholarship, funded by CSIRO with the support of Sydney Quantum Academy, offers placement opportunities provided by industry partners. This scholarship includes:

• A stipend worth AU$41,650 per annum (pro rata) for a period of 3.5 years for an industry-engaged research project. 
• A training allowance worth AU$5,000 per annum for three years, for a maximum total of AU$15,000.
• A travel allowance worth AU$5,000 total. 
• A publication allowance worth AU$840 total.
• Access to a coursework program designed, led, and managed by Data61, which will include keynote speakers from leaders in industry and academia and provide real world problems and examples. 
• A 6-month internship with an industry partner, during which you will be paid your scholarship stipend.
• Entry to the SQA PhD Experience Program events and workshops.

Find out if you meet the criteria for the NGQGP:

• You are expected to apply for or be enrolled in a full-time PhD program at one of the participating SQA partner universities. PhD projects must be in a field related to quantum technology. Please note you will not be offered a scholarship unless you have a PhD offer of admission.  
• You must have the support of the project supervisor before submitting your application. Please refer to the list of projects and supervisors associated with this scholarship for more details.  
• Scholarships are open to Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, a person entitled to stay in Australia, or to enter and stay in Australia, without any limitation as to time, and New Zealand citizens. 
• You must not hold another primary PhD stipend scholarship (for example, a Research Training Program (RTP) or equivalent scholarship).  
• You must be a student who has commenced or is due to commence your PhD studies from January 2024 - October 2024. Students who commenced in 2023 or prior are not eligible.   
• Your research project needs to be industry-engaged with one of our partners. See here for more guidance and information. 

We encourage applicants based overseas to apply. If you are based overseas, and not currently an Australian resident or holder of a permanent resident visa, your application will be considered for the main SQA scholarship program.  You may be able to commence your studies overseas if you have support from your supervisor and university, and have received your visa, however, you may not be able to start receiving scholarship payments until you arrive in Australia and/or have an Australia bank account.  Please check with your university for further information on offshore commencement.   

Before submitting your application, please read the relevant documents listed below:

• Application Guidelines
• Conditions of Award

Supporting documentation

To be considered for a stipend scholarship, please upload the following documents with your application. This supporting documentation must be contained in a single pdf (not a portfolio).

• Project proposal
• Academic transcript(s)
• CV
• Any other information supporting your application

Supervisor endorsement

When you submit your application, an email will be sent to your proposed supervisor for them to complete a supervisor endorsement form. In order to receive an endorsement, you need to have previously communicated with your proposed supervisor, and they must have agreed to supervise you. Please refer to the list of projects and supervisors associated with this scholarship.

Please note: Failure to follow the guidelines will lead to your application not being considered.

Discover the industry-engaged research projects that are available. You will need a relevant research proposal for one of these projects and an endorsement from the specific research supervisor.

Projects suit both experimentalists or theorists, and driven individuals with backgrounds across a range of disciplines such as physics, computer science, electrical engineering, materials science, or mathematics. 

Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria:

• Candidate experience including academic merit, experience in quantum technology and / or any professional expertise
• Quality of the proposed project including relevance to quantum technology and / or alignment to the supervisor’s research project.  

The SQA encourages applications from women, Indigenous Australians, applicants with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability, and from those who identify as LGBTIQ. We welcome applicants to include this information as part of their applications.

Applications will be assessed by SQA and academics at our partner universities through a competitive assessment process. You should ensure that all information conveyed in your application can be understood by someone within and outside your sub-discipline. 

How do I know which stipend scholarship type I am eligible for?

•  Please refer to the eligibility requirements in the drop-down menu above. When you submit your application, you will have the option to select if you're applying for a SQA Scholarship, SQA Partnership Stream or Next Generation Quantum Graduates Program Scholarship. You do not need to declare which scholarship type you want to apply for. Based on the answers you provide in your application; we will determine which type of stipend scholarship you are eligible for. When applying for the NGQGP, you will need to select a research project in advance.

Can I apply for both the SQA PhD scholarships and the NGQGP Scholarship?  

• Yes, you can. In the application form, you will be asked which scholarship you wish to apply for, and you can select either or both. If you're selected for a Next Generation Quantum Graduates Program Scholarship, there's also the possibility of being chosen for an SQA Supplementary Extension Scholarship, allowing for an extended period of candidature. This means you could potentially benefit from both scholarships.

Why does a recipient of the Next Generation Quantum Graduates Program Scholarship not have to complete the SQA PhD Experience Program?  

• The Next Generation Graduates Program Scholarship includes a coursework component administered by Data61. The scholarship has a shorter candidature length and includes a 6-month internship period. Consequently, participation in the SQA PhD Experience Program is not mandatory. Nonetheless, you will have access to the program and can choose to participate if you wish. 

How many rounds are there per year?

• We typically hold two scholarship rounds per year – one in April and another in September. You can subscribe to our mailing list to be notified when scholarship rounds open.

How do I know if my research area sufficiently relates to quantum tech?  

• As quantum tech can span various disciplines and areas, the best person to answer this question is your proposed supervisor.    

What are the selection criteria?

• Details are available above – under ‘How will my application be assessed?’

Do I need to include my co-supervisor in my application?

• It is not required if you have not organised a co-supervisor at the time of application. You are most welcome to note your co-supervisor in your application if you have one organised.

Can I start my application form and save it to finish it later?

• Depending on your browser – it should remember you and let you return to the same spot. However, if you open it up on a different browser or device, it likely won’t remember you, so make sure to keep a copy of anything you worry about losing to be safe.

I’ve accidentally submitted something incorrect on my application – how do I update this?

• If you submit multiple applications, we will use the latest application you submitted before the deadline in the assessment and selection process. If you are having trouble accessing the form after your first submission (i.e., the link takes you to a thank you for submitting page), if you open the link using a different browser application (e.g. Firefox instead of Chrome) and it should let you access the form anew. Alternatively, you can also email info.sqa@sydney.edu.au with your updated information.

Can I apply for the NGQGP scholarship and another scholarship at the same time?

• Yes, you can. However, if you are successful in securing another scholarship it may change your eligibility for this scholarship.  For example, should you receive a scholarship (e.g. an RTP) after submitting your application, you would no longer be eligible for this scholarship.

Can I do an internship during my PhD?

• The NGQGP Scholarship, requires candidates to complete a 6-month internship.

Can I get a second extension (past 4 years) if my thesis is delayed?

• In general, no. This is due to most university degree resolutions stating that four years full time (not including extended leave or suspensions of study) is the maximum candidature length. See your university’s degree resolutions for details.

Can I reapply if I am unsuccessful?

• Yes, you are most welcome to reapply in future rounds, if you still fulfil the eligibility criteria.

Can I get feedback on my application?

• Unfortunately, we cannot provide feedback on your application.

I have another question not answered here – who can I ask?

• Please email info.sqa@sydney.edu.au and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Applications for Round 10 opens on the 10th of April 2024. Before submitting your application, please read the relevant documents listed below:

NGQGP Scholarship:

• Application Guidelines
• Conditions of Award