Frequently asked questions

How to apply

Who can apply for the Quantum 2032 Challenge funding?

Eligible Queensland research organisations can apply for the Quantum 2032 Challenge funding—refer to “Eligibility” below.

I want to collaborate with another organisation in delivering my project. Can we submit our application together?

Yes. Applications that involve collaborations between quantum scientists, sport and adjacent domain specialists and industry partners are strongly encouraged. Proposals seeking funding in excess of $500,000 will be expected to involve significant industry-research and/or inter-disciplinary collaboration Collaborative projects will have the following additional requirements:

• the applicant organisation is to take the lead on project management, budget and reporting requirements for the duration of the funding agreement activities;
• a letter of commitment will be required from the accountable officer of each partner organisation which provides details of the organisation’s involvement in the project; and
• to the extent possible, project partners should be based in Queensland or have a legitimate physical presence in Queensland. Where partners have no physical presence in Queensland, there must be a clear case of benefits flowing to Queensland.

What is the closing date for applications?

Applications for the Program have closed.

Can the application be revised after submission?

Applications cannot be revised after submission. You must advise the department of any changes that are likely to affect your eligibility.

Do I need to submit a project plan?

Yes, as part of the application you will need to submit a detailed project plan to demonstrate how you will deliver on the proposed project within the designated timeframe and budget. Your project plan must:

• demonstrate that you have the necessary scientific, technical, management and industry expertise to fulfil their roles and responsibilities on the project;
• provide a sound governance framework, particularly where a large consortium is involved;
• show timelines and key deliverables;
• provide a robust assessment of project risks, with mitigation strategies; and
• provide a detailed and realistic budget broken down by cost categories and year.

Available Funding

How much funding can I apply for per Quantum 2032 Challenge application?

A total of $5 million of grant funding is available to eligible organisations or consortia to support relevant research and development activities. Your project can seek funding of any amount up to $1 million.

Can I apply for funding for multiple projects?

Yes, however each project must fit within the scope of the Program and you must submit a separate application for each project. Applicant organisations cannot submit more than one application for the same project.

How many Quantum 2032 Challenge projects will be supported?

The number of projects awarded will depend on the overall quality and quantity of applications received. The program will support a range of project sizes and values, with grants of up to $1 million available.

When will Quantum 2032 Challenge funding be paid?

The department will negotiate with the successful applicants to determine an appropriate payment structure, including milestones and reporting requirements. Program funding will take the form of milestone-based cash contributions as detailed in a Grant Agreement negotiated between the successful applicants and the department.

Eligibility

Which organisations can apply for Quantum 2032 Challenge funding?

To be eligible to apply for Program funding, you must:

• be a Queensland-based agency that conducts research as part of its core activities, including some universities, government agencies, not-for-profit organisations, and companies; and
• be registered for GST and have an Australian Business Number.

I am already receiving government/other funding for my project. Can I still apply for the Quantum 2032 Challenge?

Yes, however any costs already funded by other methods cannot be funded by the Program. You must declare these costs in your application. You can declare any in-kind contributions or other funding already received under the 'value for money' assessment criteria.

What if I have a project that does not use quantum technology but could enhance the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games?

In order to enhance Queensland’s quantum capability and accelerate the development and application of quantum technologies that can solve challenges to real-world problems, the Program is only open to projects that use quantum technology.

What if I have a quantum technology project that uses technologies not specifically listed in the guidelines?

The list of ‘quantum technologies’ provided in the guidelines is not exhaustive. You are welcome to apply for the Program if your project uses technologies not specifically listed, but your application must clearly demonstrate how your project qualifies as being a relevant quantum technology. Where eligibility is not clear-cut, the department will take advice from the Assessment Panel in making a determination.

What if I have a quantum technology solution that isn’t directly related to sport. Can I still apply for the Quantum 2032 Challenge?

Yes, the Program is looking for innovative quantum technology solutions to address wide-ranging industry use cases and challenges related to delivery of, or Australian athletes’ participation in, the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Examples of non-sport related use cases include, but are not limited to:

• Quantum computing and algorithms to tackle complex logistics and optimisation problems, such as spectator transport.
• Quantum communication systems to support the Games operations.
• Quantum sensors and computing to detect and analyse biochemical threats and other public health threats to spectators and athletes and for quicker, more effective countermeasures.

Your application will need to clearly identify a challenge or opportunity for quantum technologies to be deployed or demonstrated during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Use of grant funds

What costs can the Quantum 2032 Challenge funding be used for?

Program funding must be used to meet direct, project-specific costs and fall within the following eligible categories:

• salary costs for project personnel, including post-doctoral researchers, research assistants, and technical staff, including standard on-costs (leave loading, superannuation contributions, worker’s compensation contributions, and payroll tax);
• equipment (and its maintenance) and consumables, including specialised computer equipment and software essential to the project;
• expenditure on field research essential to the project, including technical and logistical support, travel expenses (including economy-class airfares, accommodation, meals and incidental costs);
• reasonable essential costs to allow a participant who is a carer, or who personally requires care or assistance, to undertake travel essential to the project; and
• other costs that are incidental to, but necessary for, the delivery of the project, and which do not fall within an ineligible cost category.

Only eligible expenditure incurred on or after the project commencement date (specified in the executed Grant Agreement) can be claimed by the successful applicant organisation.

Expenditure of Queensland Government funding must be primarily for salaries, equipment, products, or services which are to be used or provided in Queensland. Funding proposed to be spent outside Queensland must have a strong argument as to why a Queensland-sourced arrangement cannot be used.

What costs can the Quantum 2032 Challenge funding not be used for?

Costs not eligible to be paid from Program funding include:

• administrative costs that are not directly applicable to the operation of the proposed project, such as enterprise information technology, human resources, accounting, legal overheads, depreciation or other routine expenses for universities or publicly funded research agencies. More specifically, any general ‘administrative charge’ (however calculated) not supported by evidence of services being provided, or the like is excluded;
• specific, identifiable costs already supported by the Queensland and/or Australian Governments; and
• partner organisation salaries where there is no commensurate increase in staffing above business-as usual.

Conditions of the award

What will the Quantum 2032 Challenge Grant Agreement cover?

The Grant Agreement template will form the basis of the Agreement the Queensland Government will enter into with the successful applicants.

The template outlines the conditions of the Program award, including the payment schedule and the reporting requirements.

The Grant Agreement is comprised of the Program Grant Agreement Terms and Conditions, the approved Project (based on the application submitted) including Deliverables and Outputs for each reporting period milestone.

When can the project commence?

The project, as set out in the Grant Agreement, must commence within six months of being awarded and must be completed within three years of commencement.

What are the reporting requirements?

Successful applicants will be required to provide progress reports and financial statements as set out in the negotiated Grant Agreement.

The applicant organisation must provide a financial statement to the department annually containing details of:

• Queensland Government funding received and expended;
• their cash contributions to the project; and
• the cash contributions of all partners towards the project.

If the applicant organisation allocates funding to partner organisations, the applicant organisation must request that the partner organisation also provide an income and expenditure statement relating to the Queensland Government funding which has been allocated to them. This must be included in the annual financial reporting.

Is there an obligation to acknowledge the Queensland Government’s support?

Yes. Following the announcement of the award, applicant organisations should actively promote the funded research project; provide broad project information if required; and attend media/promotion events if requested. The applicant organisation must acknowledge Queensland Government funding in all relevant published material, media releases and public statements.

What do I do if something happens before or after beginning the project which impacts my ability to deliver the project?

You must advise the department in writing within 30 days of any changes that are likely to impact on the project, including changes that may impact on eligibility, research milestones, project funding or reporting.

The guidelines state that the project must be completed within three years of commencement. Can the project extend beyond this point?

All Program funding must be used within three years of commencement of the project. The project may continue beyond this point without Program funding and would no longer be required to provide progress reports under the terms of the Grant Agreement.

Announcing successful applications

When will I be notified about the outcome of my application?

The department will endeavour to process applications within 6 weeks of close of applications. It is anticipated that applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application in September 2024.

When can Quantum 2032 Challenge recipients openly discuss their awards?

The Program award must be kept confidential until it is announced by the Queensland Government. Applicants must not make any media statements or public announcements until this time but will be able to publicly discuss and promote their award after it has been announced by the Queensland Government.

Will feedback be provided if I am unsuccessful?

Yes. Feedback will be provided to the applicant upon the applicant’s request.

Further information

For further information about the Quantum 2032 Challenge Program please contact the Quantum 2032 Challenge Coordinator.

Email: qldquantum@qld.gov.au