Macquarie University 2025 Sydney Quantum Academy (SQA) Scholarships

The Sydney Quantum Academy (SQA) scholarships recognise and foster outstanding graduate researchers.These scholarships are available to PhD candidates at Macquarie University working in the field of quantum science and technology.

There are four streams of SQA PhD scholarships:

1. Primary
   The scholarship is available for domestic and international applicants with an outstanding track record of academic achievement and research potential. Successful candidates will undertake a full-time PhD program in quantum technology.
2. Supplementary
   The scholarship is available for excellent applicants currently undertaking a full-time PhD program in quantum technology as well as for newly commencing candidates.
3. Supplementary Extension
4. Experience Program

Macquarie University PhD Scholarship

Benefits of Macquarie University PhD 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.

Requirements for Macquarie University PhD Scholarship

• 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 January 2025 – December 2025. International students may also commence in the first half of 2026. Students who commenced in 2024 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.
• Students applying for admission to UNSW are only eligible for the SQA Supplementary and Extension Scholarships. To receive either of these, you must hold a primary scholarship at UNSW (e.g. RTP or equivalent). You do not need to hold a primary scholarship when applying to SQA, but must secure one to be eligible for the SQA Supplementary or Extension Scholarship.

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. 

Selection Process

Applications will be assessed based on: 

• Candidate experience including academic merit, experience in quantum technology and / or any professional expertise
• Quality of the proposed project including relevance to quantum technology and / or alignment to the research strengths of the proposed partner institution
• Alignment of the application to SQA objectives including industry engagement, cross-institutional supervision and / or the potential to contribute to the growth of Sydney’s quantum ecosystem.
• Consideration will also be given to supervisor capacity, diversity of applicants and the diversity of the proposed supervisors (early to mid-career supervisors and supervisors who identify as women). 

The SQA encourages applications from women, Indigenous Australians, applicants with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disability, and from those who identify as LGBTIQ. We welcome applicants to include this information as part of their applications. 

Applications will be assessed by researchers and academics within the four partner universities through a competitive assessment process.?You should ensure that all information conveyed in your application can be understood by someone within and outside your sub-discipline. 

Application Documents

To be considered for a stipend scholarship, please upload the following documents with your application. This supporting documentation must be contained in a single pdf (not a portfolio).

• Project proposal
• Academic transcript(s)
• CV/ Resume
• A personal statement (cover letter)
• Any other information supporting your application

Application Deadline

May 14, 2025

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Macquarie University on sydney.au1.qualtrics.com to apply