SQA PhD Scholarship

These scholarships fund 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.

Participation in the SQA PhD Experience Program is a key part of these scholarships and a core part of the Sydney Quantum Academy Scholars experience. This program ensures you’ll gain essential skills through coursework at our partner universities, exclusive training, seminars, and workshops—all designed to give you a competitive edge in the quantum workforce. You’ll connect with a vibrant community of quantum PhD students across Sydney, network with leading experts, and benefit from career development opportunities in academia and related industries. Completion of this program is required.

If you are a domestic student, you may also be eligible to apply for the Next Generation Quantum Graduates Program Scholarship (NGQGP).

Scholarship

This scholarship is funded by the New South Wales Government and our partner universities.  

There are 4 streams of SQA PhD Scholarships, each offering the following:

Stream 1: The SQA Primary Scholarship 

• A stipend of AU$41,753 per annum (2025 rate, pro rata) for the duration of the recipient’s PhD candidature, for a maximum of four years (full-time equivalent). The stipend is reviewed annually. 
• Entry to the SQA PhD Experience Program. Completion of the program is required.   
• Access to SQA career development funding. 
• Tuition fees waived for international recipients. Other fees for international recipients, such as visas costs or overseas health cover, may also be covered at the discretion of the University and will be advised at the time of offer.

Stream 2: The SQA Supplementary Scholarship

• A flat AU$5,000 top-up per annum (pro rata) for the duration of the recipient’s primary PhD stipend. The recipient must hold a primary scholarship at the university’s main RTP base rate, such as the Research Training Program (RTP) or an equivalent. The stipend is reviewed annually.
• Once a university approved extension is granted, this scholarship provides a stipend extension, continuing the primary PhD stipend rate plus the $5,000 top-up (per annum, pro rata), for a total candidature of up to four years.
• Entry to the SQA PhD Experience Program. Completion of the program is required.  
• Access to SQA career development funding. 
• Tuition fees waived for international recipients. Other fees for international recipients, such as visas costs or overseas health cover, may also be covered at the discretion of the University and will be advised at the time of offer.

Stream 3: The SQA Supplementary Extension Scholarship

• This scholarship provides a stipend extension at the end of the recipient's primary PhD stipend, extending the total candidature to a maximum of four years. The funding will continue at the primary PhD stipend rate.
• Entry to the SQA PhD Experience Program. Completion of the program is required.   
• Access to SQA career development funding. 
• Tuition fees waived for international recipients. Other fees for international recipients, such as visas costs or overseas health cover, may also be covered at the discretion of the University and will be advised at the time of offer.

Stream 4: The SQA PhD Experience Program Scholarship (currently accepting applications)

• Non-stipend scholarship
• Entry to the SQA PhD Experience Program.
• Access to SQA career development funding (subject to requirements and availability).
• You can be a student at any stage of your PhD at an SQA partner university, although you must have at least an unconditional offer of admission at the time of application. We strongly recommend you apply after you are already enrolled.

Apply here for the PhD Experience Program scholarship.

Eligibility

• Scholarships are open to domestic and international students.
  • Domestic students include Australian citizens, permanent residents, a person entitled to stay in Australia, or to enter and stay in Australia, without any limitation as to time and a New Zealand citizen.
  • International students must either hold or be able to obtain a valid visa for the duration of the specified term upon being awarded the scholarship.
• You must be a student who has commenced or is due to commence your PhD studies from June 2025 - March 2026. International students may also commence in the first half of 2026. Students who commenced in May 2025 or prior are not eligible.
• You are expected to apply for or be enrolled in a full-time PhD program at an SQA partner university. PhD projects must be in a field related to quantum technology. Please note you will not be offered an SQA PhD scholarship unless you have a PhD offer of admission.  
• You must have the support of an academic staff member at one of the partner universities. To help you find a potential supervisor, view our list of the latest quantum research opportunities or search our Sydney Quantum Expert list. For more guidance, view our guide on 'How to apply for a quantum PhD in Sydney.

Stream 1: The SQA Primary Scholarship:

• You must not hold another primary PhD stipend scholarship (for example, a Research Training Program (RTP) or equivalent scholarship). 

Stream 2: The SQA Supplementary Scholarship: 

• You must hold, or have an offer to hold, a primary PhD stipend scholarship (for example, a Research Training Program (RTP) or equivalent scholarship). 

Stream 3: The SQA Supplementary Extension Scholarship: 

• You must hold, or have an offer to hold, a primary PhD stipend scholarship (for example, a Research Training Program (RTP) or equivalent scholarship).   
• Your primary PhD stipend scholarship must be of a length less than 4 years (full-time equivalent). 

Stream 4: The SQA PhD Experience Program Scholarship:

• You can apply at any stage of your PhD if you're at an SQA partner university. If you have not yet started your PhD, you must have an unconditional offer of admission by the time you apply. We strongly recommend applying after you are already enrolled.

How to Apply

Applications open 1 April - 14 May 2025. Apply via the Sydney Quantum Academy’s website here.  If you have questions, contact Andrew Freney.