[Perth, 19/10/2023] Australia’s Pawsey Supercomputing Research Centre has received today a $5 million grant from the Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) program.
The new funding will, over a period of two years, enable Pawsey to extend its national supercomputing and quantum computing innovation hub, pilot new projects and develop quantum applications.
Pawsey’s Executive Director Mr Mark Stickells said the grant follows Pawsey’s ongoing efforts to harness the potential of quantum for tangible, real-world applications and its integration with high-performance computers.
“We value the opportunity that this investment represents, to continue to scale and innovate Pawsey’s national quantum computing activities and work with national and international partners.
“This funding underscores not only Australia’s commitment to scientific progress but also faith in our ability to drive transformative change through innovation.
“We are excited to leverage this opportunity to amplify our efforts and push the boundaries of quantum research in the national interest,” he said.
The grant builds on Pawsey’s strong foundation of earlier successful projects and collaborations, which include:
- Pioneering the onsite integration of quantum accelerators within supercomputing centres. Pawsey’s first integration, in partnership with Quantum Brilliance, is currently being used to demonstrate and test hybrid models of quantum and classical computing by pairing the in-house quantum accelerator with Pawsey’s flagship system, Setonix.
- Developing quantum education programs. One of these programs is led by quantum physicist Professor Jingbo Wang at The University of Western Australia and aims to equip university students with the skills and knowledge needed for utilising quantum technology.
- Supporting initiatives like ‘Quantum Girls’, which strives to introduce quantum science and computing into classrooms and foster STEM interest through tailored programs, including hackathons, designed to inspire young girls.
The grant will support Pawsey’s role in offering Australian researchers more opportunities to experiment with cutting-edge technologies, develop applications that demonstrate quantum utility, and contribute to the realisation of the National Digital Research Infrastructure Strategy.
“As a national research facility, Pawsey deploys leading-edge technologies and expertise, is pioneering the integration of quantum computing with classical supercomputers, and importantly further upskilling researchers to build Australia’s sovereign capabilities in this critical technology,” said Mr Stickells.
NCRIS is a Commonwealth program managed by the Department of Education to drive research excellence and collaboration between researchers, government, and industry while addressing Australia’s science priorities supporting and building Australian research capability.
The outcomes of the NCRIS 2023 Funding Round can be found on the Department of Education website.
The Minister for Education, Hon Jason Clare, published a joint media release with Hon Ed Husic MP Minister for Industry and Science here.
Find more about Pawsey’s quantum innovation activities: https://pawsey.org.au/quantum-technology/
The first room temperature, diamond based, quantum accelarator at a supercomputing facility deployed in 2022 at Pawsey, toward an integration of Quantum accelators with tradicional supercomputers.
Supporting the Quantum Girls launch in Canberra
