Guidelines

Program context

Transitioning to a low-carbon economy is essential to combat climate change. It is also a major opportunity for Queensland to create new products, industries and jobs, as set out in Queensland Government policies such as the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, Queensland New-Industry Development Strategy and the $570 million Queensland Battery Industry Strategy .

Queensland’s scientific excellence is an important arm of the multifaceted effort now under way to build decarbonisation industries in the state. Science-based ‘deep tech’ disciplines such as quantum have the potential to provide technological solutions that are orders of magnitude better than current approaches – “ten times better for a tenth of the cost”, which is essential to transform not just the technology but the economics of decarbonisation.

New quantum technologies are emerging now in the areas of computing, sensing, imaging and communications, but what is needed is the capability to apply this transformative technology to Queensland’s major priorities and challenges, including decarbonisation.

It is important that Queensland builds this capability now. We want to leverage our excellent quantum science – for example:

to achieve much-needed breakthroughs in chemistry, materials science and logistics, decarbonisation-focused algorithms need to be developed and adapted in preparation for the emergence of scaled-up, ‘fault tolerant’ quantum computing
sensors based on quantum and quantum/classical hybrid technologies have the potential to provide improved sensitivity, selectivity and efficiency gains across a wide variety of application domains such as electricity systems, batteries, environmental monitoring, precision agriculture and discovery of critical minerals deposits.

Significant R&D effort is needed to validate specific quantum applications having the greatest possible impact on decarbonisation. To this end, the Quantum Decarbonisation Mission is designed to provide a platform for collaboration between quantum scientists, decarbonisation domain experts, and industry partners who provide a pathway to translation.

The opportunities are immense if Queensland can become a world leader in multi-disciplinary, mission-inspired deep tech innovation.

Objectives

The Quantum Decarbonisation Mission aims to support Queensland-based research and development of quantum technologies to help solve critical decarbonisation challenges.

The objectives of this program are to:

accelerate the development and application of quantum technologies that can make a significant contribution to decarbonisation
build coalitions and collaborations between quantum scientists, decarbonisation domain specialists and industry partners
grow Queensland’s capabilities and contribute to establishing Queensland as a world ‑ leading hub for quantum technologies.

Available funding

A total of $10 million of grant funding is available to eligible organisations or consortia to support relevant quantum decarbonisation research and development activities.

Funding period

The project must commence within six months of being awarded and must be completed within three years of commencement.

Eligibility

Applicant

The Applicant Organisation must be:

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

Projects

To receive support under this program, the proposal must:

define a project in Queensland which seeks to address significant decarbonisation challenges through the application of quantum technologies
seek funding from $1 million up to $10 million.

‘Quantum technologies’ is limited to quantum systems technologies (‘Quantum 2.0’):

quantum computing, including quantum algorithms and simulations
quantum sensing, including detection, imaging, metrology and navigation
quantum communications, including quantum key distribution.

Where the eligibility of a project on a technology basis is not clear-cut, the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (the Department) will take advice from the Expert Panel (refer to the Assessment section).

Collaborations

Applications that involve collaborations between quantum scientists, decarbonisation domain specialists and industry partners are strongly encouraged:

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
proposals seeking funding of $5 million or more will be expected to involve consortia of multiple partners across research and industry
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.

Eligible project costs

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
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.

The Department will negotiate with the successful applicant(s) to determine an appropriate payment structure, including milestones and reporting requirements.

Ineligible project costs

Costs not eligible to be paid from the grant 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
partner organisation salaries where there is no commensurate increase in staffing above business-as usual.

GST treatment

Applicants registered for GST will not be provided with funding to account for costs directly associated with GST and are required to provide the GST exclusive amount in their budget. Recipients registered for GST can claim the GST component for any expenditure that they incur back from the Australian Tax Office (ATO).

For advice on GST, please seek assistance from the ATO.

Assessment criteria

Assessment criterion 1: Project focus and scientific merit

The application must demonstrate how the project will accelerate the development and application of quantum technologies that can make a significant contribution to decarbonisation.

Specifically, the project should:

represent a novel and significant application of one or more quantum technologies
have a pathway to significant decarbonisation impacts aligned with the Queensland Government’s industry development priorities as set out in strategies such as the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, Queensland New-Industry Development Strategy and the $570 million Queensland Battery Industry Strategy
be designed on sound scientific and methodological foundations.

Assessment criterion 2: Strength of proposed collaboration

The application must demonstrate how the project will build collaboration between quantum scientists, decarbonisation domain experts and relevant industry partners.

Specifically, the application should demonstrate:

that the partner organisations have meaningful roles and a high level of commitment to the project
that the project includes partners who are part of the path to impact
the potential of the collaboration to enhance the Queensland ecosystem over the longer term
where the requested funding is $5 million or more, that the project involves a substantial consortium drawn from across the Queensland ecosystem.

Assessment criterion 3: Capability uplift

The application must demonstrate how the project will grow Queensland’s capabilities and contribute to establishing Queensland as a world-leading hub for quantum technologies.

Specifically, the application should demonstrate the project’s impacts on:

the availability and quality of skills in Queensland in relation to quantum and decarbonisation
new physical and digital infrastructure or facilities that will continue to be used into the future
new capabilities in prototyping, fabrication or commercialisation
opportunities and support for under-represented groups, and those with carer responsibilities to participate in the quantum and advanced technologies ecosystem
Queensland’s reputation as a location of development of quantum technologies.

Assessment criterion 4: Ability to deliver the project

The application must demonstrate how the applicant and partners will deliver on the proposed project within the designated timeframe and budget.

Specifically, the application should demonstrate:

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

Assessment criterion 5: Value for money

The application must demonstrate how the project provides a high level of value for the amount of funding requested.

Specifically, the application should demonstrate:

good value for money, considering the impact delivered and the requested level of funding
the direct full time equivalent employment impact of the project
any significant contributions (including in-kind contributions) from the applicant and partner organisations
the extent to which the project may enhance Queensland’s ability to attract external funding and investment in the future.

Selection and assessment process

Application

As part of this initial stage, applicants will be asked to submit their proposed projects for consideration. Proposals will be required to provide sufficient detail to allow for their project to be fully assessed, including:

details of applicant
details of any consortium participants and letters of support from consortium participants
full details of the proposed project, including:
- Activities to be undertaken as part of the project
- Anticipated impacts of the project
- Project budget outlining the expected costs of the project, including a breakdown of those which will be funded through this program and those which will be funded by the applicant (whether through cash or in-kind contribution)
- Details of any other cash or in-kind contribution which will be made by the applicant or partners
- Analysis of project risks and challenges
- Project plan and timeframes for delivery
- Employment impacts and FTEs which will be supported by the project
Responses to the assessment criteria.

The application period was from 13 June to 22 July 2024. During the application period, applicants will be afforded the opportunity to meet with Department representatives to discuss their proposal.

Where there are clear overlaps or synergies between applications, the Department reserves the right to require the relevant applicants to explore collaboration opportunities, in which case applicants may be given more time to finalise a joint application.

Assessment of applications

The Department will undertake due diligence and eligibility checks. Eligible applications will be assessed in a competitive, merit-based process against the program’s assessment criteria by an Expert Panel appointed by the Department and comprised of members with scientific, research and industry backgrounds, and potentially including Queensland Government representatives.

The Expert Panel will assess applications according to the assessment criteria and provide advice to the Department on any technical matters for its consideration.

Applicant organisations may be contacted during the assessment process to clarify information provided in the application and/or to request additional information to enable the appropriate consideration of the application.

The Department will make a recommendation to the Director-General on the successful applicant organisations and the level of funding, considering the advice of the expert panel, available budget and program purpose. The Director-General will decide successful applications.

All applicant organisations will be informed of the outcome of the decision on their applications, whether they are or are not successful. Applicants can appeal decisions relating to their application.

Timeframes

The proposed timeframes for the application and contract award process are as follows:

Milestone	Timeframe
Applications open	13 June 2024
Application close	22 July 2024
Negotiation and award of contract	September 2024

Submitting an application

Applications for the Quantum Decarbonisation Mission closed on 22 July 2024.

The application consists of:

a completed online application form through SmartyGrants
support letters from each partner organisation clearly outlining:
- its commitment to and reasons for supporting the project
- the likely benefits to be gained by participating in the project
- the annual cash and in-kind contributions they will make to the project.

The applicant organisation must read the Grant Agreement template made available on Science funding and grants for the Quantum Decarbonisation Mission and be satisfied it can comply with its terms and conditions.

Applicant organisations should clearly identify in their application (including attachments) any information that should be treated as confidential.

Grant agreement

Successful applicant organisations will receive a letter requiring the applicant organisation to sign and return the Grant Agreement which will be countersigned by the Department and a copy returned to the applicant organisation for their records. The project will be approved by the Department in the execution of the Grant Agreement.

Grant payments will be released to the applicant organisation to administer the funding. Funding will take the form of milestone-based cash contributions as detailed in a Grant Agreement between the applicant organisation and the Department on behalf of the State of Queensland. The grant monies must only be used on eligible activities (as defined in the Grant Agreement and these Guidelines).

The Department must be advised 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 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
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.

Promotion of supported projects

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.

Privacy

The Queensland Government collects and collates information from the application form for the purpose of assessment as well as program monitoring and evaluation. Only authorised departmental officers and approved grant assessors and evaluators will have access to this information under the Financial Accountability Act 2009.

Applicants should note that broad details of successful proposals, agreed outcomes, progress and the level of funding awarded may be published by the Queensland Government. Some information may be used to promote funded projects.

The applicant organisation information will not be disclosed to any other third party without their consent, unless required by law or for the purposes of the Information Privacy Act 2009.

For audit purposes, the Queensland Government is required to retain the applications and other supplied support material. Applicants wishing to access this information should contact the Department in the first instance.

The provisions of the Right to Information Act 2009 apply to documents in the possession of the Queensland Government.

Further information

For further information about the Quantum Decarbonisation Mission please contact the Program Coordinator in DESI.

Email: qldquantum@qld.gov.au

SmartyGrants

For technical questions about the online application process or form, please contact:

Website: SmartyGrants
Email: service@smartygrants.com.au
Phone: (03) 9320 6888 and quote your reference number.

Key documents and links

Applications for this program closed on 22 July 2024.

View the grant recipients.