PhD Scholarships

SQA PhD Scholarships: 

• Scholarships are open to domestic and international students.
  • Domestic students include Australian citizens, permanent residents, a person entitled to stay in Australia, or to enter and stay in Australia, without any limitation as to time and a New Zealand citizen.
  • International students must either hold or be able to obtain a valid visa for the duration of the specified term upon being awarded the scholarship.
• You must be a student who has commenced or is due to commence your PhD studies from July 2025 - July 2026. International students may also commence in the second half of 2026. Students who commenced prior to July 2025 are not eligible.
• You are expected to apply for or be enrolled in a full-time PhD program at an SQA partner university. PhD projects must be in a field related to quantum technology. Please note you will not be offered an SQA PhD scholarship unless you have a PhD offer of admission.  
• You must have the support of an academic staff member at one of the partner universities. To help you find a potential supervisor, view our list of the latest quantum research opportunities or search our Sydney Quantum Expert list. For more guidance, view our guide on 'How to apply for a quantum PhD in Sydney.
• Students applying for admission to UNSW or Macquarie University are only eligible for the SQA Supplementary and Extension Scholarships. To receive either scholarship, you must hold a primary scholarship at UNSW or Macquarie University  (e.g. RTP or equivalent). You do not need to hold a primary scholarship when applying to SQA, but must secure one to be eligible for the SQA Supplementary or Extension Scholarship.

Stream 1: The SQA Primary Scholarship:

• You must not hold another primary PhD stipend scholarship (for example, a Research Training Program (RTP) or equivalent scholarship).  

Stream 2: The SQA Supplementary Scholarship:  

• You must hold, or have an offer to hold, a primary PhD stipend scholarship (for example, a Research Training Program (RTP) or equivalent scholarship).  

Stream 3: The SQA Supplementary Extension Scholarship:  

• You must hold, or have an offer to hold, a primary PhD stipend scholarship (for example, a Research Training Program (RTP) or equivalent scholarship).   
• Your primary PhD stipend scholarship must be of a length less than 4 years (full-time equivalent).  

Stream 4: The SQA PhD Experience Program Scholarship:

• You can apply at any stage of your PhD if you're at an SQA partner university. If you have not yet started your PhD, you must have an unconditional offer of admission by the time you apply. We strongly recommend applying after you are already enrolled. 

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/ Resume
• A personal statement (cover letter)
• 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.

You may like to refer to our Ultimate PhD Scholarship Application Guide featuring 10 tips to help you ace your application.

PhD Experience Program Scholarship (non-stipend)

The application process for the PhD Experience Scholarship does not require supporting documentation. In the application form you will be asked for details about yourself and your PhD - including a brief description of your research project/area (max 200 words).

You will also need the support of your supervisor, and they will be asked to endorse your application once completed.

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

Explore our quantum research opportunities to find a research project that sparks your interest or search our database of Sydney Quantum Experts to find a potential supervisor for your research area of interest. Projects suit both experimentalists or theorists, and driven individuals with backgrounds across a range of disciplines such as physics, computer science, engineering, chemistry or mathematics. For more guidance, view our guide on 'How to apply for a quantum PhD in Sydney. 

SQA PhD Scholarship: Primary, Supplementary and Supplementary Extension Streams 

Applications will be assessed based on: 

• 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 research strengths of the proposed partner institution
• Alignment of the application to SQA objectives including industry engagement, cross-institutional supervision and / or the potential to contribute to the growth of Sydney’s quantum ecosystem.
• Consideration will also be given to supervisor capacity, diversity of applicants and the diversity of the proposed supervisors (early to mid-career supervisors and supervisors who identify as women). 

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 researchers and academics within the four 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. 

Are there any application fees? 

• No payment is required to apply for the scholarship.

What is SQA career development funding (CDF)?

• SQA PhD Partnership Scholarship students will have access to a pool of SQA career development funds held locally at your university. The approval processes and availability of funds will depend on your university who manage the process.  The intention of this funding is not to replace funding you may already be eligible to receive (e.g., you may already have support for a laptop from your research group), but rather to provide you with opportunities you may not have been able to access without the SQA CDF - such as specialist training.

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.

My supervisor is not on the SQA expert list – does this matter?  

• You are most welcome to apply with a supervisor who is not on the SQA expert list, but you still must have a supervisor from an SQA university and the project must be sufficiently related to quantum tech.   

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.  

Do I have to come to Australia, or can I do my PhD entirely remotely and apply for a scholarship?

• As per the requirements of your university candidature (see their degree resolutions for details), you will need to do your PhD largely in Australia. You may be able to be overseas for a period within this or commence offshore for a period of time. If you are an international student, you will need an Australia visa granted before you can enrol.

What are the selection criteria?

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

Is there an IELTS requirement for a scholarship application?

• There is no SQA specific requirement for IELTS. You will need to adhere to the IELTS requirements of your chosen SQA university however, to be admitted for your PhD. SQA university PhD admission will be required to receive your scholarship, should you be awarded.

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.

How do I know if I’m accepted for the scholarship?  

• We will contact you via email by the end of November, so please check your inbox regularly. Use a single email address for all communications during the application period and remember to check your spam folder for messages from us.

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

• Yes, you can. However, should you be successful for another scholarship it may change your eligibility in terms of SQA scholarship types. For example, should you receive a non-SQA primary stipend (e.g., an RTP) since your application, you would no longer be eligible for an SQA Primary Scholarship, but you still may be eligible for an SQA Supplementary Scholarship.  

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, as long as you still fulfil the eligibility criteria.

Can I get feedback on my application?

• Unfortunately, we cannot provide feedback on your application.

Can I apply if I am a cotutelle students with an SQA university and another university?

• Yes, you can apply. Should you be successful however, the SQA PhD Scholarship stipend would only cover the period you are in Sydney and based at the SQA university.

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.

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

SQA PhD Scholarship: 

• Application Guidelines   
• Conditions of Award 

Applications will open 27 August.

PhD Experience Program Scholarship (non-stipend)

Applications are open all year round. Apply here for the PhD Experience Program scholarship.

Funding 

The SQA PhD Scholarship program is funded by the New South Wales Government and our four partner universities.