SQA PhD candidate at Macquarie University
SQA has something that most places are lacking – this peer network. This was very helpful when I moved to Australia. Most of the friends I had for the first one and a half years were from SQA.
Our PhD Scholarship program offers students funding to work alongside some of the world’s leading quantum researchers and gain industry-ready skills.
Are you passionate about conducting innovative research in the field of quantum science and technology? The following PhD Scholarships are available:
SQA PhD scholarship: These scholarships are for outstanding international and domestic students to collaborate with a team of leading researchers on innovative research at one of our partner universities: Macquarie University*, UNSW Sydney, the University of Sydney, and the University of Technology Sydney*. Includes participation in our exclusive PhD Experience Program.
SQA Partnership PhD scholarship: These scholarships are for outstanding international and domestic students to undertake research projects co-designed and supervised by researchers from UNSW Sydney and CSIRO. Includes participation in our exclusive PhD Experience Program.
Both of these scholarships offer exclusive access to the SQA PhD Experience Program connecting you with a vibrant community of fellow quantum PhD students across Sydney. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake coursework at our partner universities, and participate in training, exclusive seminars and workshops designed to give you a competitive edge in the future quantum workforce. You’ll also network with the brightest minds in quantum research and enjoy career development opportunities within academia and related industries.
*The SQA PhD scholarship aims to address gender imbalance among students pursuing a career in quantum technology. Therefore, for reasons of building greater diversity, scholarship places at Macquarie University and University of Technology Sydney will be reserved for students who identify as women.
If you are a domestic student, you may also be eligible to apply for the Next Generation Quantum Graduates Program Scholarship (NGQGP). More details to come
For SQA PhD Scholarship: 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. For more guidance, view our guide on 'How to apply for a quantum PhD in Sydney.
For SQA Partnership PhD Scholarship: Discover the 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.
Hear from our PhD Scholarship students on the benefits of being part of the Sydney quantum community. Read more student stories.
SQA has something that most places are lacking – this peer network. This was very helpful when I moved to Australia. Most of the friends I had for the first one and a half years were from SQA.
Read more of the post Building the Quantum Internet
Read more of the post Working at the intersection of light and matter
If you’re excited to pursue a quantum PhD at one of our partner universities, we’ve developed a helpful guide on how to apply. It’s full of important information that you need to know before applying for your SQA PhD Scholarship.
To be eligible for an SQA PhD Scholarship, you need to apply for or be enrolled in a full-time PhD program at one of our partner universities.
SQA PhD Scholarship:
This scholarship is funded by the New South Wales Government and our partner universities.
There are four streams of the SQA PhD Scholarship, each offering the following:
Stream 1: The SQA Primary Scholarship
Stream 2: The SQA Supplementary Scholarship
Stream 3: The SQA Supplementary Extension Scholarship
Stream 4: The SQA PhD Experience Program Scholarship
SQA Partnership PhD Scholarship:
This scholarship is funded by CSIRO and supported by SQA, and offers:
SQA PhD Scholarship and SQA Partnership Scholarships:
SQA PhD Scholarship:
Stream 1: The SQA Primary Scholarship:
Stream 2: The SQA Supplementary Scholarship:
Stream 3: The SQA Supplementary Extension Scholarship:
Stream 4: The SQA PhD Experience Program Scholarship:
SQA Partnership PhD Scholarship
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 related to your preferred scholarship:
SQA PhD Scholarship:
SQA Partnership PhD Scholarship
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).
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.
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 asked to endorse your application once completed.
Please note: Failure to follow the guidelines will lead to your application not being considered.
For SQA PhD Scholarship: 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.
For SQA Partnership PhD Scholarship: Discover the 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.
SQA PhD Scholarship: Primary, Supplementary and Supplementary Extension Streams
Applications will be assessed based on:
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.
SQA PhD Partnership Scholarship
Applications will be assessed by SQA and CSIRO.
What is SQA career development funding (CDF)?
How do I know which stipend scholarship type I am eligible for?
Can I apply for both the SQA PhD scholarships and the SQA PhD Partnership Scholarship?
How many rounds are there per year?
How do I know if my research area sufficiently relates to quantum tech?
My supervisor is not on the SQA expert list – does this matter?
Do I have to come to Australia, or can I do my PhD entirely remotely and apply for a scholarship?
What are the selection criteria?
Is there an IELTS requirement for a scholarship application?
Do I need to include my co-supervisor in my application?
Can I start my application form and save it to finish it later?
I’ve accidentally submitted something incorrect on my application – how do I update this?
Can I apply for an SQA scholarship and another scholarship at the same time?
Can I do an internship during my PhD?
Can I get a second extension (past 4 years) if my thesis is delayed?
Can I reapply if I am unsuccessful?
Can I get feedback on my application?
Can I apply if I am a cotutelle students with an SQA university and another university?
I have another question not answered here – who can I ask?
Applications for Round 10 opens on the 10th of April 2024. Before submitting your application, please read the relevant documents listed below:
SQA PhD Scholarship:
SQA PhD Partnership Scholarship
PhD Experience Program Scholarship (non-stipend)
Applications are open all year round. Apply here.
Read more of the post Why Sydney
Read more of the post Sydney Quantum Experts
Read more of the post Quantum Technology
Image courtesy of the University of Sydney.