The Australian Government announced AU$12.7 million (approximately US$9 million) in funding for eight projects under Stage 2 of the Critical Technologies Challenge Program (CTCP). The CTCP provided up to AU$36 million in total to test and demonstrate quantum technology solutions to market-led challenges of national significance, according to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources.
Stage 2 funding of up to AU$5 million per project supported the transition from feasibility studies to proof-of-concept demonstrations. Recipients included Loughan Technology Group (AU$2.4 million for a real-time mine-site rare-earth sensor), Orica Australia (AU$2.3 million for quantum opto-mechanical sensors in mining communications), the University of Melbourne (AU$2.1 million for a quantum-enabled neurological drug discovery platform), and La Trobe University (AU$1.1 million for hybrid quantum-classical data center cooling optimization).
Minister for Industry and Science announced the funding on February 20, 2026. The CTCP aligned with the Future Made in Australia plan and the National Quantum Strategy.