The Federal Government has announced it will boost education and collaboration in the nation’s quantum sector with grants totalling $4.6 million.

As a part of a deal, the Australian Quantum Graduates Program will award $3.6 million to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) to help fund up to 20 PhDs in quantum technology. A further $1 million will also be awarded to the Sydney Quantum Academy through the National Quantum Collaboration Initiative.

The graduate program grant to the CSIRO is hoped to attract and train the “nation’s next generation of quantum technology specialists” and grow Australian quantum industry capability through education and research.

Announcing the grants, Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic said that for Australia to remain at the forefront of research and development in quantum technology, it needed to offer its citizens education opportunities across this sector.

“Our capability is reflected across 22 quantum-related institutions that have nurtured internationally sought-after talent. We have eight universities performing well above the international standard in quantum physics research,” he said.

“But we need to build upon that. This includes offering Australians education opportunities in quantum so that we develop a pipeline of talent.

This, Husic added, will be critical to the creation of 16,000 quantum-related jobs that have been projected by 2040.

“Our efforts in quantum also need to be coordinated across the nation, with researchers, industry and government working together to reap the economic and social benefits.”