Frequently asked questions

The NGQGP will provide up to 20 PhD Scholarships and allowances from 2024-2029 to domestic students enrolled at an Australian University. Universities are expected to form consortiums with industry participants, develop research proposals that are informed by real world challenges with quantum technology, and bid in funding for the students.

Proposals for student cohorts must be aligned with focus areas for quantum technologies in Australia. In line with the National Quantum Strategy, the NGQGP has identified the following focus areas in quantum technology, and expect that challenges will be aligned with one or more of these:

1. Quantum devices and scalable quantum computer architectures
2. Quantum Information Science and Quantum Computing
3. Quantum Sensing
4. Quantum Communication
5. Quantum Biotechnology
6. Quantum Materials

If your proposed quantum program is for PhD scholarships only, you can apply to the Next Generation Quantum Graduates Program. Alternatively, you can apply to the NGGP Round 2023-24 (Emerging Technologies includes quantum) or you may choose to apply to both the NGGP and the Next Generation Quantum Graduates Program.

If your proposed quantum program includes levels other than PhDs, you will need to apply via the NGGP Round 2023-24 for all levels other than PhD.

No, industry partners are not required to contribute financially, but are required to provide supervision and placement opportunities to the students.

Please be aware that this is distinct from the Next Generation Graduates Program (NGGP), which requires financial contributions from industry partners. If you are considering applying to both programs, please keep this difference in mind.

Universities are expected to form consortiums with industry participants, develop research proposals that are informed by a real-world challenge in quantum technology, and apply for funding for the students.

Investigators can apply for a small number of individual student projects (1-3), these students would then join the broader Next Generation Graduates Program (including students undertaking Quantum research) to ensure the cohort experience.

When enrolling through a cohort program, the students are expected to collaborate with each other and to utilise peer-to-peer learning, expanding on their different backgrounds and experience to provide a richer research environment.

Chief Investigator (maximum of 6 per consortium program)

• CIs will commit a minimum of 0.05FTE of their time and take responsibility for the overall research program and intend on providing supervision for one or more students within the program 

Investigator (maximum of 20 including the CIs per consortium program)

• Investigators will commit to providing support for the program and form part of student supervisory teams.
• Investigators include designated people from partner organisations.

An individual investigator (Chief Investigator or Investigator) may be named on no more than three applications (including previously awarded) across all rounds of funding within the Next Generation Graduates Program. Consideration should be given to capacity to deliver if more than one application is successful.

Yes! It is expected that applications will come from research collaborations and therefore we would anticipate multiple applications from universities based on disciplines and research groups.

Applications must be submitted electronically with the mandatory attachments via our online application platform by Monday 9 October 2023 6pm AEST.

The scholarships are offered to eligible postgraduate students pursuing an Australian Qualification Framework qualification at PhD (AQF10) level.

No, the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) scholarship holders must enrol in a full-time degree.

Notes

1. 2% Indexation will be applied to stipends for PhD students to be covered by CSIRO contribution, each Financial Year.
2. PhD training allowance is $5,000 per year for three years only.

This allowance is for the provision of training opportunities in adjacent skills and capabilities relevant to the student’s research project. Examples of activities that will be supported include short courses, workshops, conferences, networking and collaborations.

The NGQGP seeks to bolster diversity and reduce the barriers to entry for candidates. Participation Support Funding may be made available to support students with some of the costs of caring, accessibility and mobility needs to access the NGQGP activities, events and exchanges, or to support students who have Indigenous cultural responsibilities. Funding will be subject to review of individual circumstances and annual limits.

Students cannot hold an RTP and use NGQGP as a top up however universities are able to provide additional top-ups to the NGQGP scholarship if desired.

To be eligible for a NGQGP scholarship, applicants must be domestic students as per the Higher Education Support Act at the time of award. Domestic students include:

1. Australian citizens,
2. Australian permanent residents,
3. a person entitled to stay in Australia, or to enter and stay in Australia, without any limitation as to time; or
4. a New Zealand citizen.

Students will be recruited by the Universities. Host universities will be asked by the NGQGP to assess the candidate’s eligibility and notify the NGQGP of the outcome. If the student is eligible, based on both the University’s requirements and those of the NGQGP, the student will enrol in the University and then be provided with a CSIRO NGQGP Student Agreement that will be signed between the student, CSIRO and the enrolling university.

As part of the application process, each Consortium Program is required to outline their proposed student recruitment strategy along with plans to recruit a diverse cohort of students.

Each university undertakes student recruitment, endeavouring to recruit a diverse range of students. Each university is required to provide CSIRO with a copy of their recruitment strategy as soon as practicable after execution of the Program Funding Agreement.

CSIRO/Data 61 will assist by publicising the details of successfully awarded Consortium Programs via our website, and interested students are encouraged to contact the listed Chief Investigators (contact details accessible via hyperlinks) to discuss available opportunities.

All students will apply to the host university to participate in a specific awarded Program and follow the University’s enrolment procedure.

The process for enrolment will be as per the host university’s requirements. Students will commence in the NGQGP after the students have been onboarded at the university.

Yes. Leave entitlements of students who hold the NGQGP scholarships are unaffected and will follow the entitlements in line with the policies of the host university and RTP guidelines.

The coursework component of the NGQGP is a subset of the broader Next Generations Graduates Program (NGGP) coursework and designed to introduce future graduates to the key concepts that will be useful during their study. The coursework aims to cover a breadth of concepts and domains by developing knowledge and practical skills.

The NGQGP coursework is structured around the following units of study:

• Core Units are undertaken by all NGGP students, they are delivered in six week blocks bi-annually)
  • Data Centric Engineering (Core)
  • Ethics, Innovation and User-Centred Design (Core)
• All NGQGP Students will also undertake an additional Quantum Technologies unit that is equivalent to two units. This unit is delivered in six week blocks bi-annually.

Students must register and complete the coursework component of the NGQGP within the first 12 months of receipt of a scholarship. Further information about coursework will be available via Next Generation Graduates Scholarship Program - CSIRO.

Students who receive a scholarship are expected to undertake their training in Australia and endeavour to remain in Australia for two years following completion of their degree.

Students receiving a NGQGP Scholarship must commit to maintain contact with the CSIRO for up to two (2) years, for reporting and evaluation of outcomes relating to the program, and each university will use reasonable endeavours to assist CSIRO. Students may be asked to engage with CSIRO/NGGP team to provide updates on their experience, which could include survey, testimonials, interviews and clips for socials, and in some instances may be asked to present/promote the program in person (e.g. university events) or online.

Universities, with respect to each student enrolled, are expected to arrange access for the student to all necessary equipment, infrastructure, and any other requirements to enable conduct of the project. In addition, industry partners are expected to provide appropriate facilities and space for student placement activities.

We will encourage universities and industry partners to offer remote or mixed attendance for students with specific needs.

The locations of the students will be dependent on their supervisory arrangement and how the project is designed to be carried out. Students are encouraged but not required to sit with their cohorts at CSIRO offices in major cities in Australia.

The selected students will be co-supervised by a host university supervisor, industry supervisor and CSIRO supervisor (dependent on chosen project), and will spend time working directly with industry partners. Students will have a CSIRO “research supervisor” if the consortium program/project selected involves a CSIRO investigator.

Consortium Programs should consider a diverse mix of Chief Investigators, Investigators (including Early Career Researcher participation) and Partners who will be involved in supervision of students.

All students are required to complete industry placement/s with partner/s of their Consortium Program. The commencement date and timing of the placements for individuals in a cohort may vary on a project basis depending on requirements set by the industry and university partner(s). The industry placement will be decided in collaboration with the student, the supervisor and the industry partner/s to ensure that it is appropriate for all parties.

Universities generally have insurance that covers students who are undertaking placement activities. Please check with your University partner/s to ensure they have the appropriate insurance in place.

Data61/CSIRO will centrally collect and manage funds from DISR and industry partners, and distribute to university partners to pay the stipends to students. The host university is expected to offset the tuition fees for domestic PhD students.

It basically covers retaining students’ ownership of copyright to their thesis and CSIRO’s ownership of Coursework offering and Coursework-related IP.

The industry partners must provide a ‘non-binding letter of support’ indicating their willingness to supervise student placements. There may be instances where a partner no longer wants to take part in the program in which case they may be replaced by the student’s supervisor. Consideration should be given to the best interests of the student when bringing on a new partner.

International industry partners will be considered on a case-by-case basis with consideration given to legislative requirements when engaging with international partners.

The Universities would be expected to show that due diligence has been undertaken regarding Foreign Interference, Defence Export Controls and any other legislative requirements.

CSIRO is the convener, across all cohorts, for coursework, seminar series, ongoing student/supervisor/mentoring events and other networking or development events. CSIRO researchers are encouraged to take part in networking events and/or be involved with coursework related supervision, mentoring or teaching.

Alternatively, CSIRO researchers can be Investigators as part of Consortium Program applications and co-supervise students. Joint research supervision is encouraged with CSIRO supervisors (not just Data61). If you are interested in being a Supervisor/Investigator please ensure your Research Director is aware and supportive. If you require support, please email the NGGP team at data61-nextgengrad@csiro.au.

Additionally, CSIRO researchers may help facilitate industry collaborations with their existing university networks to provide the industry partner placement. NB: CSIRO cannot be the industry placement partner.

If you would like to keep updated on Australia’s Quantum Strategy, Policies and Programs and see how the Australian Government is supporting a quantum future for Australia please visit website (https://www.industry.gov.au/science-technology-and-innovation/technology/quantum)